Save money on holiday lighting
Posted by Guest Blogger on November 21, 2012
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.
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.
Wright-Hennepin (WH) also has a great incentive for members to buy LED lights for the holiday season. Coupons for $3 off GE LED holiday lights are included with members’ electric statements in November and December. The coupon was also included in October’s Hotline Update. Additional coupons are available in the lobby at WH’s headquarters in Rockford, Minn.
Another way to save on your holiday lighting expenses is to 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.
One tip that many of us neglect is to 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 your light strings for bare or broken wires. Also, don’t go overboard with extension cords, and don’t overload your outlets with lights.