Holiday Lighting Energy Guide: Make the Season Bright Without Wasting Energy
The holiday season is here, and it’s time to bring on the sparkle! From twinkling Christmas trees and glowing garlands to festive outdoor displays that light up the neighborhood, holiday lighting is one of the best ways to make the season feel magical.
But all those extra lights can add to your home’s energy use. The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice your holiday spirit to be energy smart. With a few simple decorating choices and some thoughtful planning, you can create a dazzling display while keeping energy efficiency on your nice list.
Here’s your guide to making the holidays merry, bright, and energy-smart!
1. Let LED Lights Steal the Show
When it comes to holiday decorating, LED lights are the real stars of the season. Compared to traditional incandescent holiday lights, LEDs use significantly less electricity, produce less heat, and typically last much longer.
That means you can enjoy all the sparkle without using as much energy.
Bright Idea: Before buying new decorations, take inventory of your existing lights. Replace older incandescent strands with LED versions as needed, and consider warm-white LEDs for that classic, cozy holiday glow.
2. Give Your Lights a Bedtime
Your holiday lights may look magical at midnight, but chances are most of the neighborhood is already asleep!
Using timers or smart plugs makes it easy to enjoy your decorations during peak evening hours without leaving them on all night.
Set your outdoor lights to turn on around sunset and automatically switch off at bedtime. Smart plugs can even allow you to manage your display from your phone.
Bright Idea: Create a holiday lighting schedule that matches your family’s routine. You’ll spend less time remembering to flip switches and more time enjoying the season.
3. Make the Most of Reflective Decorations
Mirrors, metallic ornaments, shiny ribbons, and reflective garlands can help scatter and amplify the glow from your existing lights. This creates a festive, sparkling look without needing to add more strands.
Place lights near silver or gold ornaments, glass decorations, or metallic accents to enhance their shimmer!
Bright Idea: Try wrapping a strand of warm-white LEDs around a reflective centerpiece for a beautiful holiday tablescape that doesn’t require additional overhead lighting.
4. Choose Smaller Displays With Big Holiday Personality
You don’t need to turn your entire home into a winter wonderland to make a festive statement.
Instead of covering every window, tree, and rooftop with lights, choose a few focal points that really shine. Consider highlighting your front door with a glowing wreath, wrapping a favorite outdoor tree, or adding a simple string of lights along your porch railing.
Bright Idea: Try creating layers of light at different heights. A few thoughtfully placed decorations can create a full, festive appearance without using as many bulbs.
5. Let the Sunshine Handle Some of the Sparkle
Want to add some holiday cheer without increasing your electricity use? Consider solar-powered holiday decorations for outdoor areas that receive plenty of direct sunlight.
Solar-powered pathway lights, decorative lanterns, and select string lights can charge during the day and illuminate your space after dark.
Bright Idea: Use solar decorations to brighten garden beds, walkways, or areas farther from outdoor outlets.
6. Keep Your Holiday Display Safe and Efficient
Before decking the halls, give your holiday lights a quick safety check.
Inspect cords for fraying, broken sockets, and loose connections. Choose decorations rated for outdoor use when decorating outside and follow manufacturer instructions for connecting multiple strands.
Avoid overloading outlets or extension cords, and keep electrical connections protected from moisture.
Even LED lights deserve a little extra attention when it comes to safe setup.
Bright Idea: Label your holiday light strands and store them neatly at the end of the season. It’ll make next year’s decorating easier and help protect your lights from damage.
7. Unplug the Decorations Before Heading Out
Heading out of town for the holidays? Give your decorations a vacation, too!
Before leaving, turn off and unplug nonessential holiday lighting and decorations. Inflatable displays, illuminated figurines, and other powered decorations can use electricity even when no one is home to enjoy them.
For everyday use, smart plugs and timers can help keep your holiday display on a consistent schedule.
Bright Idea: Add checking holiday decorations to your travel checklist, right alongside locking the doors and adjusting the thermostat.
A Little Holiday Sparkle Goes a Long Way
The holidays should be filled with joy, celebration, and plenty of sparkle, not unnecessary energy use.
By choosing efficient lighting, getting creative with your decorations, and putting your display on a schedule, you can create a festive home that shines all season long.
Happy Holidays from XOOM Energy!
