Whether your home is decked out with Christmas lights like Clark Griswold or you just have a sad Charlie Brown tree, it’s easy to use more energy in your home during the holiday season. This time of year is typically colder, so the furnace is running more, the Christmas lights are on, and perhaps you have additional guests staying in your home. All of these things contribute to a higher amount of energy usage than any other time of year.
When you’re spending a lot of money on Christmas presents, you definitely don’t want higher energy bills! So we’ve put together a list of 7 ways to save energy over the holidays.
1. Save on Electricity Usage for Christmas Lights
Christmas lights use a lot of electricity, but there are ways you can save money. One way is to use LED lights instead of traditional incandescent bulbs. LED lights use up to 90% less energy and last 10 times longer.
Another way to save on electricity usage is to unplug lights when they’re not in use, especially when you’re not home. You can even use a timer to manage lights. Set timers to automatically turn your holiday lights on and off at the appropriate time. To cut down on energy costs, the recommended daily time frame that lights should be on is eight hours or less (usually starting at dusk and shutting off by bedtime). To safely control exterior lights around your home, use a weatherproof outdoor timer.
2. Use a Programmable Thermostat to Save Energy on Heating
Programmable thermostats are a great way to save energy during the winter and year-round. They allow you to set different temperatures for different times of the day, so you can save energy when you’re not home or when you’re asleep.
Smart thermostats are even more energy efficient because they allow you to control the temperature of your home from your smartphone. They can also sense when you are home or away, adjusting the temperature to make it more comfortable when you’re at home and conserving energy when you’re away.
If you are planning to go on a holiday vacation, you could set your thermostat to a lower temperature while you’re away, and then set it to the desired, comfortable temperature an hour before you plan on arriving back home. Programmable and smart thermostat technology can save you a considerable amount of energy throughout the year!
Check out Consumer Reports Best Programmable Thermostats of 2021 here: https://www.consumerreports.org/thermostats/best-programmable-thermostats-of-the-year-a1031454339/
3. Get a Smart Meter to Monitor Energy Usage
Smart meters are a great way to track your energy usage and see where you can save. With a smart meter, you can see how much energy each appliance in your home is using and how much it’s costing you. This can help you make changes to save energy and money.
4. Seal Windows and Doors to Keep Warm Air In
With cold Michigan weather in full force during the holidays, sealing your windows and doors is a great way to keep the warm air in your home. There are many ways to do this, from installing weatherstripping to using window film. Sealing your windows and doors can save you a lot of energy over the winter.
For a full tutorial on how to winterize your windows and doors this is a nice short video on how to do that:
If your windows are aging and you feel drafts frequently or notice condensation often, it may be time for a replacement to something more energy efficient. We sell energy efficient custom windows that will definitely save you money over the long run.
Learn more about BOSS Windows here: https://thebossservices.com/more-services/windows/
5. Upgrade to ENERGY STAR Appliances
ENERGY STAR appliances use less energy than traditional appliances, so they can save you money on your energy bill. If you’re in the market for a new appliance, make sure to look for the ENERGY STAR logo. So while they are a little bit more of an investment up front, you can save a lot in energy costs over the long run with an ENERGY STAR appliance.
6. Upgrade to a High Efficiency HVAC System
If your HVAC system is 15 years or older, technology has made massive improvements to energy efficiency in newer systems. By upgrading to a high efficiency HVAC system, you can save significantly. Even 2021 standard efficiency HVAC systems are more efficient than most older HVAC systems. You can determine the efficiency of a new system by looking at various rating systems that determine their efficiency. If you’re looking at system ratings, you can look into its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), which should be at least 15.
Discover our picks for the top 2 most energy efficient systems on the market: https://thebossservices.com/most-energy-efficient-hvac-systems-2021/
7. Use a Power Strip to Cut Energy Usage for Electronics
During the colder months, people spend more time in their homes using electronic devices. Many people don’t realize that electronics use a lot of energy when they’re not in use. A power strip can help reduce this energy usage by allowing you to turn off all of your electronics with one switch. This can save you a lot of energy over the course of the holidays.
Any Questions About How to Save Energy Over the Holidays?
If you have questions about anything on this list or would like an assessment of your HVAC system’s energy efficiency, you can give us a call at 269-468-6682 any time! We are happy to help keep you comfortable in your home and save on energy costs however we can!
