5 Ways to Keep Your Energy Usage on The Nice List This Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time for joy and togetherness, but it can also lead to increased energy consumption, with colder weather, elaborate decorations, and more time spent indoors. With a little planning, you can keep your energy and enjoy a warm, festive holiday. Here are five tips to save energy at home during the holidays while still enjoying everything this magical time of year.
1. Heat Efficiently
With temperatures dropping, heating becomes one of the largest energy expenses in a home. Lowering your thermostat by just a few degrees can make a significant difference. Setting it to 68°F (20°C) when you're home and turning it down when you're asleep or away will save energy. A programmable thermostat can help you do this automatically, ensuring you're not heating an empty house. Insulating your home will prevent heat from escaping by sealing drafty windows and doors with weatherstripping or caulk. If possible, insulate your attic and walls to maintain warmth more effectively.
2. Energy-Efficient Holiday Lighting
Holiday lights are a beautiful addition to your home, but traditional incandescent bulbs can surprisingly consume a lot of energy. To make your displays more energy efficient and your home safer, switch to LED lights. LED holiday lights use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer. They also emit less heat, reducing the risk of fire hazards. Set lights on a timer so they turn off automatically when everyone goes to bed or during the day when they aren't as visible. This can prevent energy waste and extend the life of your lights.
3. Lower Hot Water Usage
During the holidays, hot water use can increase with guests and extra cooking or cleaning. Here are a few tips to help manage it:
Insulate Your Water Heater: Wrapping your water heater in an insulation blanket can reduce heat loss and lower energy consumption.
Use Cold Water for Laundry: Unless necessary, wash your laundry in cold water to save energy.
Install Low-Flow Fixtures: Low-flow showerheads and faucets can reduce water use without sacrificing comfort, especially when hosting multiple guests.
4. Decorate Without Power Draining
Holiday decorations don't have to be power-draining. By incorporating natural elements like pinecones, evergreen branches, or berries into your décor, you can maintain a festive atmosphere while keeping your energy consumption down. It's also easy to forget, but make a habit of unplugging holiday decorations when no one is around to enjoy them. Even in "standby" mode, many electronics and decorations consume energy.
5. Be Smart About Home Festivities
Hosting friends and family during the holidays is one of the season's joys, but more people in your home can mean increased energy use. If you're hosting a large gathering, consider lowering the thermostat slightly. The warmth generated by your guests will help keep your home comfortable without the need for extra heating. Also, when entertaining, focus lighting on areas where guests are gathered. Turn off lights in rooms that aren't in use.
