Christmas may seem the most wonderful time of the year, but also the most expensive. From buying the perfect gifts, decorations, and food for Christmas dinner, there are a lot of reasons to increase your holiday spending. After all, it’s the season of giving, so a little splurge here and there won’t hurt, will it?
Everything seems to go well until the electricity bill starts coming. In reality, it’s not only the parties, sales, and gifts that affect your holiday budget. If you’re not mindful enough, your power bills will also skyrocket this Christmas, thanks to the parties you organized and the Christmas lights you lighted up just to experience the holiday spirit.
What is supposed to be a joyful holiday can immediately turn into a nightmare if you let your utility costs keep piling up. Luckily, plenty of residential and commercial lighting solutions can help you save electricity as you enjoy the holiday season. With that in mind, here are ways to enjoy an energy-saving Christmas without breaking the bank!
Use LED string lights
There are plenty of options for energy-saving Christmas lights. You can start by replacing old incandescent bulbs with LEDs or timed Christmas lights that turn off automatically.
LED Christmas lights consume up to 90% less power than the standard incandescent ones. While the cost of LED lights is relatively higher during the initial use, they are more durable since their lifespan is 10 times longer. Plus, they’re cooler to the touch compared to incandescent bulbs, reducing the risk of fire.
You can also buy a smart plug to limit Christmas light use. A smart plug allows you to use a smartphone application, built-in timer, and voice control to shut off the lights at the most convenient time. Timed Christmas lights will ensure you won’t forget to turn them off after you fall asleep.
Prepare a cost-saving holiday dinner
The holiday is a perfect time to update your Christmas recipe, especially if the same set of people show up every year. There are different ways to prepare a sumptuous feast that save time, money, and energy.
If you are hosting a holiday dinner for multiple households, consider having a potluck party. A potluck is a communal gathering where every group or guest brings their own meal contribution. It’s a great way to liven up the spirit of giving by allowing everyone to be involved in preparing the holiday dinner. Your wallet will even thank you for it since you only have to prepare a single meal while everyone chips their own.
But if you want to preserve your tradition by cooking different meals, try preparing meals you can bake simultaneously at the same temperature, reducing the time to keep the oven on. It’s also efficient to cook with a crockpot than the stove.
After dinner, don’t beat yourself up by cleaning all the leftover dishes. Imagine the amount of water you’ll waste every time you turn on and off the tap to rinse every plate! Use the dishwasher for large loads to save time and money instead of manual washing. After using the dishwasher, leave it open to dry instead of turning on the automatic dry feature. This approach will help you reduce half of the dishwasher’s energy usage.
Get sufficient warmth on the cheap
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you should endure the cold indoors. Don’t even consider turning off the furnace during the cold season just to save money; it is unnecessary and dangerous.
There are other ways to save energy use during Christmas. The first step is to optimize thermostat use. Reduce your home’s ambient temperature through the winter months to consume lesser heat. Also, don’t forget to turn off the thermostat if you’re outside the house. When sleeping, adjust it to 15°C or higher because our body temperature decreases at night as it enters the sleep cycle.
To get more cost-saving returns, smart thermostats make a great investment. This energy-efficient appliance automatically adjusts the temperature when you’re away or sleeping. It comes with voice control and an application so you can change the temperature even when you’re away.
You can also wear your bulky sweaters or the homemade knitwear you’ve been hiding in your closet. Winter clothes are designed not only for the outdoors but also indoors.
Park of conversing cost is understanding what drives them. Knowing your electricity usage will help you take simple actions to cut back on the power cost. So, don’t let the costly electric bills stop you from celebrating the holiday season. Our tips above can help you enjoy the Christmas spirit while spending energy and money at the same time.