String lights, cookie baking, inflatable reindeer, oh my! The holiday season is a wonderful and joyous time of celebration, but it can also lead to higher energy consumption. In fact, in the U.S., holiday lights on roofs, lawns, and trees account for over 6.6 billion kilowatt hours – more than many developing countries’ annual national electricity consumption. So, while you gear up for the holidays, keep these energy-efficient tips for your home or business in mind.
For Homes:
Around the holidays, the average home’s energy use skyrockets. While using extra energy is inevitable, cutting down anywhere you can is critical. Here are a few ways to reduce costs while keeping the season bright.
Upgrade your lights.
Outdated incandescent string lights could be one major contributor to your energy bill, considering they’re wildly inefficient. Switching to LEDs can make your holidays brighter – literally! LEDs use 90% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescents. Plus, incandescents burn hot (90% of their energy is converted to heat rather than light), which can be a fire hazard.
Decorate smartly.
Sometimes, less is more. You can ‘hack’ your decor by adding reflective ornaments and mirrors near lights to create the illusion of more decorations without the extra cost of additional energy. Also, consider using battery-operated decorations. On top of not using any electricity, outlets are not a factor, so you can place them wherever your heart desires.
Heat efficiently.
Heating your home uses more energy than any other system, accounting for around 30% of your energy bill. Lower the heat when you’re away or asleep. Even a few degrees can make a huge difference in your energy bill!
Maximize light.
In the winter months, light is already hard to come by. So, make sure you’re maximizing every minute you get! Keep your curtains open from sunrise to sunset to help cut back on the need for artificial light. Just make sure to close them at night to help retain heat.
Make your fireplace efficient.
If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, use it! It’s a great source of heat that isn’t very costly. Using a cast iron fireback is an excellent option for maximizing the heat your fireplace produces since it absorbs heat and returns it to the room. It also protects the back of your fireplace and adds an appealing look. Additionally, use a damper when you’re not using your fireplace to prevent warm air from escaping.
For Businesses:
Depending on your business type, the holiday season could either mean a large influx of traffic or many people out of the office. In any case, you can still save energy with these energy-efficient tips.
Get lighting on a schedule.
Adjust your holiday decorations for peak visibility. This means turning off all indoor lights or decorations after business hours and setting outdoor lights or inflatables to only turn on after dark.
Shut off equipment before you leave.
Encourage employees to shut down and unplug any non-essential equipment or appliances like computers, printers, and lights before leaving for the day – and especially before leaving for the holidays. This prevents phantom loads (the wasted electricity a device consumes when powered off but still plugged in).
Choose non-electric décor.
The holidays don’t have to mean lights galore! There are plenty of festive ways to decorate your business without using any electricity at all. Wreaths, ribbons, and ornaments are just a few. If you do choose lights, make sure they’re ENERGY STAR-approved.
Get employees involved.
The holiday season is the perfect time to encourage employees to help save energy. Once you’ve established an energy-efficient goal, pass it on to your team to see if they have any additional suggestions. Given that it’s the gift-giving season, consider using incentives! Providing gift cards or a catered lunch can motivate everyone to participate in the initiative.
Work with Experts
Whether you’re a home or business owner (or both), you can save on energy this holiday season with UGI EnergyLink. We offer personalized energy solutions for more than 40,000 homes and businesses throughout the northeastern U.S.
Contact us today to learn how we can make your holidays jollier!