Holiday Tips

When it comes to holiday lighting, LED lights are the bright choice to get you more for your money. The amount of power it takes to operate just one 7-watt incandescent holiday bulb could power two 24-foot LED strings - enough to light a six foot tree (Source: EnergyStar.gov). Additionally, LED light strings last about 10 times longer. (Source: Department of Energy).

Many manufacturers offer rebates on qualified LED holiday lights, so in addition to saving on your energy bill, you could also save up to $2 on each string of lights!

For those without time to decorate, pre-lit trees can be a great option, but make sure to specify you want it with only LED energy-efficient lights to help you save on energy throughout the season.

Plug holiday lights and other electronic decorations into a power strip to make it convenient to turn them all off before bedtime and boost energy savings.

Switch out guest room and common area lighting to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Each CFL bulb you install will save you about $50 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

Remind guests to turn off lights and fans when they leave the room. Stopping one ceiling fan from running all the time and turning at least one light off when you leave the room can save you more than $7 a month on your electric bill.

LEDs aren't limited to just traditional lights; switch your icicle lights, walkway trees, snowmen, reindeer and more to brighten your holiday decor without breaking the bank.

Set timers for your holiday displays to turn off before bedtime so there is no need to burn the lights all night long.

Consider changing out driveway lighting with solar-powered lights to make your home a festive and energy-efficient oasis year round.

Supplement your holiday displays with ornaments such as wreaths, ribbons and other decorations that don't consume energy.

When it comes to buying gifts for your loved ones, opt for a laptop computer over a desktop computer. Laptop computers require 50 to 80 percent less power than a desktop computer.

Look for the ENERGY STAR when purchasing larger electronics or appliances. Newer ENERGY STAR models meet stricter requirements and can save up to 40 percent on energy over standard models.

Use solar-powered pathway or security lights for your home or as a gift to the person who loves being outside in the evening.

The off position doesn't always mean "off". Seventy-five percent of electricity used to power home electronics is consumed when they are in standby mode or the off position.

Plug holiday lights and other electronic decorations into a power strip to make it convenient to turn them all off before bedtime and boost energy savings.

Solar-powered battery chargers make for great stocking stuffers. Check out ENERGY STAR-rated or solar-powered battery chargers for cell phones, MP3 players or battery-powered tools.