How to save money on holiday lighting

Posted by Guest Blogger on November 9, 2011

The holiday season is approaching fast, and many of you are probably planning on using stringed lights to make your home look more festive. However, it’s important to consider how much these electricity-drawing additions cost. 

Even a single set of 200 tiny lights can add around $5 to your monthly electric bill. However, there are several simple things you can do to minimize the impact that your lights will have on your holiday budget.

1. When shopping for new lights, buy LEDs (light emitting diodes). In spite of their slightly higher initial cost, this type of lighting is much cheaper to run and will last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent lights. LEDs also come in different shapes and sizes, much like their incandescent cousins do.
2. Put your outdoor lights on a timer. Many people will turn their outdoor lights on in the early evening and leave them on all night long. By placing your lights on a timer, you can schedule them to turn on around 5 p.m. and automatically shut-off around 10 or 11 p.m., saving you a significant amount of electric use. These timers can be purchased at any home improvement store and are fairly simple to set up.
3. Stock up in the off season. Plan ahead for next year’s display by taking advantage of the 50 percent off discounts that will inevitably take effect on Dec. 26. These are great deals and can help you save even more money on your holiday décor.

Additionally, be sure to stay safe while decorating your home. Be mindful of where you place your lights as they generate a lot of heat, and check all of your light strings for bare or broken wires. Also, don’t go overboard with extension cords, and don’t over load your outlets with lights.

Graph courtesy of Chugach Electric Association