LCEC – Lee County Electric Cooperative

Don’t let your electric usage during the holidays make you a Grinch

While most everyone has their house adorned with holiday lights, some people wait until just before Christmas Eve to decorate. If you have waited to decorate because you want to avoid a Grinch-inducing electric bill, here are some things to help you ho ho ho-ld down energy costs during the holidays:

Think LED:
ENERGY STAR® LED lights provide a brighter and safer way to light your home during the holidays and use nearly 70 percent less electricity than traditional bulbs. LED lights also last ten times longer and do not have filament or glass like the old-fashioned holiday lights (which means less opportunity for them to break).

Think usage:
Consider buying a timer which will automatically turn off lights for you. While it’s nice to have lights aglow as people drive or walk by your home, it is highly unlikely that many people enjoy them at 2 a.m.! Keeping your lights on for eight hours verses all night can mean the difference between a merry and scary electric bill.

Think reflective:
Think of all the cool holiday things that reflect light including ornaments, tinsel, ribbons, and garland. Consider using reflective things on the outside of your home which will shine just as bright at night and may even mirror the lights in your neighborhood. Granted it won’t make your house look like Clark Griswolds, but it will make your home merry and bright while keeping costs low.

Happy Holidays from LCEC!!! May your season be bright and may your New Year be electric! Log onto www.lcec.net for more energy saving tips!