• Replace your old holiday lights with energy-efficient LED lights. Although they cost more initially, LED bulbs use up to 90 percent less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent lights.
• Set your indoor and outdoor holiday lights on a timer. Just 10 strands lit for 13 hours a day can add more than $50 to a monthly energy bill.
• Limit your usage between two to five hours a day, and turn off lights before you leave the house or go to bed.
• Try to cut down on the number of strands you use. Rather than adding more lights to your tree, try enhancing the existing lighting with tinsel, mirrored ornaments and other reflective items.
• When entertaining, cook as many dishes as possible in your microwave, which uses about 50 percent less energy than a conventional oven.
• If using an oven, check your cooking progress by looking through the window. Opening the oven door for even a few seconds lowers the temperature inside by as much as 25°F.