Save on Energy Bills This Holiday With These Simple Tips

Decorating with lights, hosting festive gatherings and traveling to visit family are all part of what makes this time of year special. But with climbing utility costs, it’s also a good time to be more mindful about holiday energy usage. If you’re anything like me, you’d rather spend your hard-earned money on thoughtful gifts for loved ones than on high energy bills. The good news? A few simple adjustments can lead to noticeable savings, something we all can appreciate when that post-holiday credit card bill arrives.

To help keep holiday energy bills under control, we asked two residential energy experts to share their top tips.

How to Save Money on Holiday Lighting and Decorations

Keep energy costs low while still showcasing your holiday spirit with these tips.

Use LED lights

You’re probably already using LED holiday lights, but if you’re not, Blackwood confirms that they’re worth the additional upfront cost. “LED lights in general use 80 to 90 percent less electricity than incandescents,” he says. “You can save a ton of energy with this one change.” For even more energy savings, consider using solar-powered string lights, Kitch says.

Run lights on a timer

Always use a timer to ensure holiday lights turn off at night and while you’re away. Be sure to compare models, as some timers consume more energy than others. Also, consider unplugging larger lighted decorations and animatronics when not in use. “Some decorations may pull phantom loads, even when turned off,” Kitch says.

Keep displays small

Fewer string lights, lighted decorations and spotlights can result in noticeable energy savings. “A typical strand of LED lights costs $1 to $2 per season to operate, and incandescents can cost $10 to $15 per season,” Kitch says. “Consider scaling back a bit for some real energy savings.”

How to Save Money on Holiday Heating

Whether traveling or hosting, aim for lower holiday energy bills this season.

Turn down the heat while you’re away

Lowering the thermostat while you’re away can lead to some real energy savings. “The Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat around 68 degrees, but every degree you turn your unit down can save three percent on your energy bill,” Kitch says. Blackwood recommends going no lower than 55 degrees to avoid freezing pipes.

Lower the thermostat when entertaining

“If you have a lot of people over, they’re like little heat engines,” Blackwood says. “Keep the thermostat lower than you normally would to keep things comfortable,” usually between 60 and 65 degrees. I always forget to do this and end up opening windows to cool things down, which is a real waste of energy.

Close fireplace dampers after use

While a fireplace adds holiday ambience, don’t count on it to heat your home, and it may actually do the opposite. “Even with a fire in it, fireplaces don’t produce much heat,” Blackwood says. “And most of that warmth goes right up and out of the chimney.” After the fire’s out, be sure to close the damper to prevent chronic heat loss.

How to Save Money on Holiday Cooking

Holidays are the time of year for lots of cooking and baking. Make sure you’re keeping your holiday energy bills low with these tips.

Avoid opening the oven door

Resist the urge to open the oven door to check on your food. Turn on the light and look through the glass instead. “Every time you open your oven, you lower the temperature inside by about 25 degrees,” Kitch says. “Then it has to work hard and use more energy to reheat.”

Keep the warmth in the room

When finished using the oven, prop the door open slightly to let the warm air escape into the living space. Be mindful of using this tip if you have kids, rambunctious pets or elderly guests in your home. “If it’s safe in your environment, this is a way to heat up that space without turning up the thermostat,” Kitch says.

Use lower energy appliances

Don’t feel constrained to only using your oven for holiday cooking. “Smaller appliances can be a really big help to saving energy,” Kitch says. “Crock pots, pressure cookers, electric roaster ovens and air fryers are on for a shorter period of time and don’t use a ton of electricity compared to heating up a big oven.”

FAQ

What is the ideal thermostat setting when hosting a large gathering?

Indoor temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees can be ideal when hosting a large gathering.

Should I turn off my water heater if I leave for a long holiday trip?

If you plan to be out of town for less than a month, turn your water heater down or to ‘vacation’ mode if available on your model. Anything longer than a month, turn off the power to the water heater and shut off the cold water supply valve.

About the Experts

• J.P. Blackwood is Legislative and Public Affairs Liaison for the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, a state agency that represents consumers rights for utilities.
• Bethany Kitch is Senior Program Manager of Residential Programs for Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation’s largest public power provider. TVA provides power to seven states, offers some of the lowest power rates in the country and produces 50 percent of their power carbon free.

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