Christmas time is such a lovely time of the year- so bright and cheerful! Part of that is due to all of the Christmas lights. If you love Christmas lights but you want to do your part to make good choices for the environment, you will find these tips helpful. Choosing energy efficient outdoor Christmas lights, checking for Energy Star lighting options and keeping the home running efficiently will help the Christmas star shine a bit brighter for a lot less.
Tips For Using Less Electricity This Christmas:
Chose New LED Energy Efficient Outdoor Christmas Lights.
Lighting is one of major factors which determines the amount of energy a home consumes. That consumption sky-rockets during the holidays when homes become illuminated with hundreds of sparkling lights. Switching from lighting strings which use traditional incandescent bulbs to those which utilize LED lights can allow your house to shine and cut consumption.
Energy Star began offering distinctions and labels for holiday lights strands and décor in 2007. As your incandescent light bulbs burn out, replace them with fluorescent ones. They use much less wattage, burn brighter and last longer. The same advice can be applied to holiday lights. According to the Department of Energy, a single 7-watt holiday bulb requires the same amount of power as two 24-foot long LED light strands (which is often enough to cover a six foot tree.) Although more expensive upfront, Energy Star qualified LED lights must be 70% more energy-efficient than their incandescent counterparts. Each individual bulb consumes less than .2 watts and carry a three-year warranty which allows for quality assurance and lowered utility bills. If you are looking for energy efficient outdoor Christmas lights, look for the Energy Star label you can trust.
Keep the home running smoothly and on time.
Sustainability is a core aspect of energy-efficient living, especially during the holidays. Sometimes this means upgrading home items (such as energy efficient outdoor Christmas lights displays) but sometimes this means making existing home items more sustainable.
Consider keeping holiday lights on timers that will cut energy-use by keeping operating time down to a defined amount. Convenience often determines ability. Using a power strip for holiday lights allows the entire display to be turned off or on with the push of a single button. The ensures that all members of the family can keep up with cutting the lights off. Burning the holiday lights throughout the entire night consumes a large amount of energy. Timers are an ideal option for those who want their display to run later than their bedtimes. I have included an amazon affiliate link below so you can see how they work and how much they cost. You can also find them at your local hardware store.
Go natural with décor
Finally, cutting energy during holidays could most easily be accomplished by scaling down on holiday lighting designs. Although stunning, lights aren’t the only way to visually celebrate the holiday seasons. Use what you have but before you buy more lights, consider incorporating wreaths and ribbons as a cost-effective and energy-effective way to decorate. Christmas décor often provides creative ways to recycle/ upcycle. Here are a few ideas.
The holidays are a time to spread cheer and excitement through laughter, gifts, and beautifully illuminated homes. It’s a time when we become more giving and a bit more lavish. But it’s important to remember that our impact on the environment doesn’t stop during the holiday season. Enjoying an energy efficient Christmas is important for a green home (and a fatter wallet.) Our everyday choices can really affect the world we live in. Start today and make environmentally responsible choices even during the holidays!
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