Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
3. Monitor Energy Usage for Electronics
Why? The Energy Information Administration found that televisions, computers and other electronics—as well as miscellaneous energy uses, including dishwashers and cooking equipment—make(link is external) up 45.2% of residential energy consumption(link is external). Spending more time indoors during the winter can mean more energy usage for making hot chocolate and coffee, watching classic holiday movies and getting cozy under an electric blanket. Don’t stop the holiday cheer, but consider a few ways to keep energy usage for electronics down.
Effort required: Low
Steps to take:
- Set electronics and appliances to low-power or power-saving mode to reduce energy consumption.
- Turn electronics off when you’re not using them. If electronics need to be on constantly, set them to low-power mode when you’re not using it.
- Unplug devices when you’re away from home, especially when leaving for multiple days.
- Plug small electronics into surge protectors or smart plugs to easily turn them off and on.
4. Upgrade Lighting and Lightbulbs
Why? Residential electricity prices in the U.S. grew 10.7% in 2022 and are projected to rise another 4%(link is external) in 2023, according to the EIA. With these rising prices, additional lights—especially costly holiday strings of incandescent bulbs—will cause an increase in your electricity bill. Choosing LED holiday lights can save you up to 75%, since they use a quarter of the energy incandescent lighting does. Even if you aren’t putting up holiday lights, swapping out your home’s regular lights for energy-efficient bulbs can help you consume less electricity. LED lights also can last up to 25 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs.
Effort required: Low
Steps to take:
- Turn off lights when you’re not using them.
- Replace lightbulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL light bulbs.
- Invest in smart bulbs to put lights on a schedule, monitor usage and easily adjust brightness.
- Use energy-efficient holiday lights and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when stringing multiple strands together.
