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How to save money during the holidays

Pink piggy bank with 2 black painted dots for eyes is wrapped in a string of multicolored Christmas lights

This time of year, many homeowners’ wallets will feel the sting from paying for presents, stocking up seasonal décor, and gathering the groceries for a holiday feast. Some may feel that sacrificing on the holiday spirit is the only way to save on energy bills, but we have a way for you to do both! Explore the tips below to find out how to save money during the holidays.

Winter energy saving tips for your home

When the holidays arrive, it’s easy to get caught up in all the festivities, but there are many ways you can enjoy plenty of savings opportunities around your home. From home holiday lights to family pies, our guide can help your family save money by making some small adjustments to how you celebrate the season

Use energy efficient lights and décor

Décor is a hallmark of the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you have to go over budget. Making the switch to LED holiday lights can save you up to 90% on electricity without dimming your holiday flair. With an array of colors, shapes, and cord lengths available, you can wrap your home in the spirit of the season while reducing electricity costs.

You can also invest in fiber-optic décor to give you all of the warm fuzzies without the risk of other decorations that give off heat. Set timers for outside décor and unplug or turn interior décor off each evening before going to bed.

 

A small girl in the foreground wearing a white sweater dress, a red and white Santa hat, and red long socks with white snowmen on them sits on her knees on a wooden floor as she gazes at the background at an illuminated white fireplace adorned with 5 red stockings and greenery and a small burgundy and white doll that sits near the hearth to the left of a lit white Christmas tree with red, white, and green presents wrapped below it resting on a furry white rug

 

Prep for the holidays with batch baking

You may be prepping for the Winter Feast Olympics, but batch baking is here to help! By dedicating a few days out of the month to baking everything you’ll need for the holidays, you’ll get a good idea of how much you’re actually making, limiting excess work and food waste.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to use other appliances, such as your slow cooker, and use our F.E.D. system to keep your smaller appliances organized.

Save energy when you’re not at home

If you’re a snowbird, or if you’ll be traveling to someone else’s house for the holidays, turn down your HVAC system when you’re gone to save energy. Be sure to unplug or turn off any lights inside or outside your home to yield additional savings.

Easy ways to help with energy bills year round

Whether it’s time for Yuletide or barbecues, there are certain habits you can practice to reduce your energy costs all year round. For example, you can adjust your thermostat by 1-2 degrees every couple of days to get used to using less heat in the winter and less A/C in the summer. Taking this step can make a big impact on your energy bill, as this is the time of year many homeowners use energy the most.

Balance your home’s electricity usage

You can counterbalance the holiday lights and animated décor shining brightly inside and outside your home by taking note of where electricity is less needed (i.e., a back room, a hallway during the day) to help keep your household’s overall usage the same. You can also change your ceiling fans to run clockwise on the lowest setting to help move warm air around steadily and evenly.

 

A light-skinned right hand reaches to plug a gray 120 V electrical cord with bronze prongs into a white vertical outlet

 

Limit phantom energy loss from your devices

Several devices in our home, such as gaming consoles and laptop chargers, can consume a fair amount of energy when not in use (phantom energy). Using smart home devices can reduce phantom energy loss while keeping your devices easy to access when you need them.

Check for air leakage around your home

Each year, homeowners see excess energy costs due to a host of issues like air leakage, which occurs when cold air enters your home and lets warm air seep out.

To stay warm without breaking the bank, make sure your windows and doors are adequately sealed with caulk, or use a draft stopper on doors and windows with noticeable gaps that can keep your home from feeling comfortable. Cold air can also come in through your fireplace, so be sure your damper is fully closed whenever it’s not in use.

Get a home energy audit

If you find your house energy bills are still higher than they should be after changing your home’s energy usage, consider getting a home energy audit. A home energy audit can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, but it can give you an accurate idea of your home energy consumption, as well as ways to reduce your utility expenses and become a more environmentally friendly home.

Apply these tips to help save on winter utilities and keep your holidays bright. 

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