Your energy usage during the holidays can leave you feeling anything but jolly with Christmas lights burning bright, gingerbread cookies baking in the oven and lots of lingering house guests. Learn how to stretch your holiday budget and have more to spend on your loved ones this Christmas by following our simple Naughty or Nice Energy-Saving Checklist:
Keep the Oven Door Closed
Every time you open the door the oven’s temperature drops about 25-30 degrees and more energy is used to generate the desired heat level. Try using the oven light instead.
Choose LED lights
Add extra pizazz to your holiday display this year without adding a lot to your energy bill. Strands of LED lights can save you more than 75 percent compared to your old incandescent lights. Plus, they put off less heat, helping to reduce the risk of fire and they last up to 10 years longer.
Be an Energy Savvy Shopper
Always buy Energy Star certified products and study them to see how much they will cost in annual energy consumption. Energy Star certified televisions are 25 percent more efficient than older models. Also, laptops require 50 to 80 percent less energy than desktop computers.
Timing Counts
Invest in timers so your holiday lights come on at dark and automatically switch off when everyone goes to sleep rather than keeping them on when no one is around to enjoy them.
Choose the Proper Burner
Sizing pots to the right stove top burner can make a big difference. A six-inch pot on an eight-inch burner wastes over 40 percent of the burner’s heat. Also, covering pots and pans reduces heat loss and allows food to cook more efficiently.
Practicing these habits around the holidays will help you save money on your bill, leaving some extra funds to get that last minute Christmas shopping done. Happy Holidays and happy savings!
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