Tips for Saving on Energy Costs this Holiday Season

The holidays are a fun and exciting time of the year. Unfortunately, the holiday season is also a time of high energy usage for most homeowners. The good news is that you can work toward reducing energy even during the holidays. Below, we’ll offer some expert tips for saving on energy costs during one of the biggest energy-packed times of the year.

Save More on Energy Costs with These Tips

The holidays are here, and many homeowners are looking for any way they can save money this season. Cutting down on energy costs is one way to do just that. Here are some energy-saving tips that you can use to cut costs this holiday season:

Entertain more efficiently.

Hosting guests can be fun and rewarding, but it can also use a great amount of energy. You can entertain more efficiently by turning down the thermostat once your guests arrive. With the warmth coming from the stove, food, and extra bodies in the room, you should still be able to stay comfortable without turning up the temperature too much. You can also cook more efficiently by keeping the oven closed when baking and keeping your burners clean to decrease necessary cook times. You may also want to cook as many dishes as you can at one time to reduce the time the oven is on. This will help you save a little more energy when entertaining this holiday season.

Use more energy-efficient holiday décor.

If you want to save energy with your holiday decorations, consider investing in LED holiday lights. LED holiday lights are much more energy efficient than the traditional variety. They also tend to last longer and pose fewer risks. Homeowners should also avoid using inflatable lawn decorations. Though these inflatable holiday lawn ornaments may be cute and festive, they use up a lot of energy and can drive your electricity costs through the roof this holiday season. Instead, opt for décor that does not require electricity.

Unplug unused appliances and electronics when on vacation.

If you are going out of town this holiday season, make sure that you unplug your appliances and power down any electronics before you head out for vacation. This will ensure that your home is not using energy while you are away. Similarly, you will want to adjust the temperature on your thermostat so that you are not using electricity to heat or cool your home while you are away. A programmable thermostat is also an effective option for controlling temperature while you are away. If you will be in and out of your home running errands, shopping, and visiting friends and families during the holiday season, you can use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature and save money.

If you’re interested in learning more about saving energy throughout the year, check out our previous blog post about saving energy with your HVAC system – Going Green While Saving Green: How to Increase Energy Efficiency and Lower HVAC Costs.