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 Did
you know that there are more efficient alternatives for the holidays and year-round exterior lighting? LED lights and fiber optic trees are two energy efficient options that can reduce your energy costs this holiday season.
LED Lights
Light Emitting Diode (LED) holiday lights have a number of benefits over incandescent lighting:
- Energy efficient - bulbs use 0.06 watts compared with 0.48 watts for a mini-light, or 90% less energy.
- Longer lasting - Lasts up to 10 times longer.
- Safer - bulbs remain cool regardless of how long they have been on.
- Durable - lenses are virtually indestructible.
LED lights are currently available in varying string lengths with red, green, blue, white, yellow and multi-colored bulbs. There are many styles available including mini-ice, ball-shaped, icicle and candle-shaped. Cost can vary substantially by color because, unlike incandescent lights, the color is produced by the chemical make-up of the bulb. White and blue are the most costly.
LEDs are a clear winner over incandescent lighting when you consider the money and
energy you save. LED lights will also last much longer.
Fiber Optic Artificial Trees
Another energy efficient holiday option is the fiber optic artificial tree. These trees use a single incandescent bulb ranging from 5 to 50 watts, depending on the size of the tree. Compare that to a tree with 200 mini-lights which would use 96 watts and the same tree with incandescent lighting would use 1200 watts of energy.
Light in a fiber optic tree is transmitted from the single bulb (so there is only one bulb to replace) through hundreds of very small fibers that are emitted along each branch of the tree. Some trees come equipped with a rotating color wheel that changes the color emitted from the fibers. Fiber optic trees are also cool to the touch since only light is emitted through the fiber, not heat.
More Holiday Energy Saving Tips
Besides switching to LED holiday lights, there are many other ways to manage your energy use during the holiday season.
No Cost
- Turn off electric fireplaces, tree lights and Christmas decorations at night and when you are away from home.
- Thaw frozen foods before cooking.
- Use a microwave or toaster oven for smaller dishes instead of a full size oven, and avoid preheating.
- Don’t rinse your dishes before loading the dishwasher and wait for a full load.
- When using the oven, cook as many dishes as possible at one time.
- Keep lids on your pots while cooking.
- Minimize the number of times you open the oven door while cooking and use a clock or timer.
- Let hot food cool, at least partially, before placing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Use your dishwasher's energy-saving wash and dry cycles.
- Keep curtains open during the day to let the sun’s warmth in. Close at night.
- Close the flue damper on your wood burning fireplace when it’s not in use.
- Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances.
- Wash laundry in cold water and do a full load whenever possible.
- Clean your dryer’s lint filter after each load.
Low Cost
- Use an electric kettle with an automatic shut-off to boil water.
- Caulk and weather strip around doors, windows, and attic hatches.
- If you don't have storm or thermal windows, cover the inside of your windows tightly with plastic or purchase a window kit.
Investment with Payback
- Install “programmable” thermostats to automatically set back temperature when you are not at home.
- Consider adding insulation to your basement or crawl space.
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