4 Holiday Energy Saving Tips
As you staple the last of the 25,000 twinkling lights to the outside of your home this holiday season, consider this: according to Wired, running that many lights just for four hours costs about $11 a day, or $0.04 per minute.
To help you save on the energy costs related to festive holiday décor this December, we've compiled a handful of holiday energy savings tips.
- Holiday Energy Saving Tip #1: Use LED Lights
According to Energy Saver, by switching to brighter, safer, and more eco-friendly ENERGY STAR® qualified LED light strands, you'll wind up using 70% less energy than with traditional bulbs.
- Holiday Energy Saving Tip #2: Keep an Eye on Your Kitchen
The Consumer Energy Center of the California Energy Commission suggests resisting the urge to open the oven door when cooking. In addition, your refrigerator and freezer can account for as much as 15% of your home's total energy usage. Easy fix: keep the doors closed as much as possible.
- Holiday Energy Saving Tip #3: Turn Down the Heat
Reduce holiday energy costs by turning down your thermostat. Be sure to address any areas cold air could potentially be leaking into your home. Keep warm by using flannel sheets and a heavier blanket so you can turn down the thermostat at night and let your body generate heat under the covers.
- Holiday Energy Saving Tip #4: Clean Your Air Ducts
A thorough air duct cleaning can yield long-term energy savings, not just around the holidays. According to ASHRAE, dirty coils and blowers can cut efficiency by as much as 40%. They compare air duct maintenance to changing the oil in your car: when your components are loaded up with debris, the system has to work harder but when you remove the debris, you get energy consumption savings. Cleaning your air ducts can also help prevent seasonal allergens, like the ones from your tree, from getting trapped and recirculated throughout your HVAC system.
