The holiday season can be an expensive time of year for homeowners. Holiday spending can add up, but don’t spend your dollars on excessive energy use rather than holiday cheer. Follow these easy steps this season to stretch your holiday budget:
- Choose LED lighting for your holiday decorations. LED lights can be purchased for indoor and outdoor use, and use 90 percent less energy than old incandescent lights.
- Opt for fiber-optic decorations. Cut lighting use even further with fiber-optic decor. Most fiber-optic decorations only use a single bulb to illuminate the entire fixture.
- Limit lighting use to just a few hours a day. Turn off your lights before bed and when you leave home when no one will be around to enjoy them. Set a lighting timer to turn them off automatically and avoid forgetfulness.
- Utilize tree lighting. When your tree lights are on, turn off your usual lighting. The tree lights can provide the lighting you need to move about the room unless you’re reading, knitting or doing something else that requires good light.
- Further your holiday energy savings with candle use for lighting; just make sure to do so safely.
- Buy gifts that don’t use energy. Choosing gifts that don’t require electricity or batteries can reduce your spending and help the recipient save in the future.
- Choose rechargeable batteries if you need them. Rechargeable batteries and a charger make an energy saving addition to your gifts that the recipient will be sure to appreciate.
- Pick Energy Star certified electronics for gifts. Energy Star labeled TVs, DVD players, appliances, and many other products use less electricity compared to non-certified products, which will help you spread holiday cheer and savings.
- Set your thermostat a few degrees lower during the holidays and heating season in general. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you’ll become accustomed to the “new normal,” plus you’ll have more opportunities to wear those nice sweaters in the closet.
- Enjoy holiday lights without the car. Instead of going for a drive to view the lights, go for a walk instead.
For more holiday energy savings tips, please contact us at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning. We’ve served our Fresno neighbors for more than 40 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy savings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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