Energy Saving Holiday Guide

Winter is upon us, bringing snowy weather, hot chocolate by the fire, and holiday parties with the family! Colder weather means your furnace is working harder than ever to keep your household warm and cozy, increasing your utility bills.

Try these easy energy-saving hacks this winter to conserve energy and lower heating costs this winter season.

Shipley Energy’s Energy Saving Holiday Hacks:

We’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks for you to use this holiday season to help keep your energy costs down.

Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs (and Christmas Lights!) 💡

As the days grow shorter and our lights are on longer, it is essential to ensure that you’re using efficient LED or CFL light bulbs. Energy-efficient light bulbs cost a little more upfront but will save you money on your energy bills throughout the year. LED light bulbs and holiday lights also release less heat than traditional light bulbs, so they are much safer to use around decorations and children and pets!

Timers For Your Holiday Lights 📲

Ahh, the beautiful colors and lights of the holiday season! While holiday lights are fun to look at, the energy costs of having them plugged in 24/7 can add up. In addition to using LED lights, you can also get timers! With today’s technology, you can even get a timer that connects to your smartphone so that you can control your lights from anywhere. No more laying in bed wondering if you remembered to unplug frosty… Timers will save you time and money!

Turn Your Thermostat Down ❄️

While the temperatures are starting to drop outside, you may be tempted to crank up the heat inside your house. The Department of Energy has estimated that for each degree you lower your thermostat in the winter, you save 1-3% on your energy bills. You can even take it a step further by turning your thermostat down 7-10 degrees either while you’re not home or while you’re sleeping for an annual savings of up to 10%. The holiday season is also a time for gathering, so while you want your home to be warm and inviting for guests, keep in mind that the more bodies in your house, the warmer it will feel. So try turning the thermostat down a few degrees to save energy and counteract the body heat.

Invest in Energy Star Appliances 👩‍💻

Energy Star appliances are household appliances proven to use 20 percent less energy and water than standard models. If you’re thinking of replacing any of the appliances in your household, check out the Energy Star website to see a list of its most efficient products. These energy-efficient appliances may be more expensive up front, but you will save a lot on energy bills over time. The Energy Star website has a great Energy Price Calculator that you can use to calculate how much you can save. Energy-efficient appliances can pay for themselves over time and make your household more climate-friendly!

Additional Energy-Saving Tips for Year-Round

  • Consolidate Holiday Baking –  Your oven uses the most energy when pre-heating, so try to plan your holiday meals to be made all at once. Can the ham be baked in the oven simultaneously as the sweet potato casserole, yes! It’s all about time- and energy- management.
  • Seal Air Leaks – Energy gets lost as heat through air leaks in your home, such as cracks in windowsills and air leaks in exterior doorways. Start by going room to room and checking if you can feel cold air by windows and doors. Use caulk and weather stripping to seal the leaks.
  • Turn Off the Lights When You Leave the Room – One of the simplest ways to save energy is to turn off the lights when you leave the room. You’ve probably heard your parents drill this into your head when you were little, usually followed by “Do you want to pay the electricity bill? Well, now you do, so turn off the lights!
  • Unplug Unused Electronics – Cable boxes, TVs, computers, and other electronics use energy even when turned off. Save some energy by unplugging these electronics when they are not in use.

Shipley Energy wishes you and yours a fantastic holiday season! 🎁  We hope these tips & tricks can help you save some money this winter.

Electric bill got you down? Read 12 Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill!

test
Share this post
Related Posts