December 2009
Tips for having an energy efficient holiday season
Don’t let an expensive January electric bill be the last gift of the season. With a few simple energy efficient tricks you can celebrate and save money at the same time.
The brightest house on the block
Using light-emitting diode (LED) lights for holiday lighting could curb your power bill. Whereas a string of traditional mini lights uses 36 watts of power, a string of LED lights only uses 5 watts and lasts up to 10 times longer. The lights are typically made of plastic and will not break, and many are brighter than traditional mini lights.
But a string of LED lights can cost two to three times more than traditional string lights, and many homeowners have reported mixed results with LED holiday lights. Unlike traditional incandescent lights, LEDs use computer chips to create the light. Depending on the quality of the manufacturing process, the brightness and life may not be what’s expected.
Cheaper is not always better. When looking for LEDs, check out the lights plugged in at the store, or make sure you can return the lights if they do not meet your expectations.
All holiday lights, whether LED or incandescent, should be placed on a timer. Simple timers cost $20 and can be set to turn on at sunset and off after a set number of hours.
Control “energy phantoms”
Cell phone chargers, computers, video game consoles and any electronic device that comes with a large square plug are “energy phantoms” that use electricity even when supposedly switched off. On average home entertainment products such as TVs, stereos, and video game consoles account for 7 percent of a home’s annual electric bill. Computers and their related equipment account for another 5 percent of the yearly electric bill. These devices are typically always on and always consuming electricity.
When possible, unplug devices that are not being used, or plug them into a “smart power strip” that controls the flow of electricity to specific devices plugged into it. For example, it may cut the flow of electricity to unused devices such as DVD players, video game consoles and stereo systems, while allowing TVs and satellite or cable boxes to remain plugged in and operational.
Stay warm inside
If you have family and friends at your place for a large meal, turn down the thermostat before they arrive. Once a home fills with people the temperature will quickly begin to rise. Cooking will also add warmth to a home.
When cooking for the masses, the first direction of most recipes (“preheat oven to…”) can be ignored; large pieces of meat such as ham, turkey or a roast do not require a preheated oven. Any food that requires several hours of cooking can begin cooking in a cold oven. The exceptions to this rule are baked goods: breads, cakes, and pies should enter an oven that has been preheated.
Source: The Cooperative Research Network, a research arm of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
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P.O. Box 27306, Raleigh, NC 27611, or E-mail: editor@carolinacountry.com