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Tips for Energy-efficient Holiday Decorations

Save energy and money by switching to energy-efficient holiday decorations.

As the country moves into the holiday season, homeowners will break out their decorations to provide that extra holiday cheer that only decorative lights can offer.

After all, the season would not feel the same without that special glow emanating from the Christmas tree or fireplace mantel. With a renewed focus on urban footprints, and global warming at the forefront of the world’s attention, it might be a good time to switch to more eco-friendly, energy-efficient holiday decorations. It is a great way to give back to Mother Earth and save some hard-earned money as well.

LED Advantages

Led — light emitting diode — decorative lighting has many advantages over their traditional counterparts. The colorful diodes emit a vibrant and bright light that is cool to the touch. This is especially important for folks who prefer to use a live tree, as they are extremely flammable. LED lighting uses a lot less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs — up to 90 percent — which will save you money on your energy bill during the holiday season. Because they do not contain a filament, LED lighting lasts longer, reducing the cumbersome task of replacing burned out bulbs.

Use a Timer

How many times have you gone to bed and forgotten to unplug the Christmas tree or turned off the outside decorations? Not only is this a dangerous practice, but you use twice the electricity, leading to a higher energy bill. Plug-in timers provide an easy and inexpensive way to eliminate this mishap. A timer allows you great versatility and control when operating your energy-efficient holiday decorations. Simple timers are designed to plug into any standard outlet. A dial on the front of the timer allows you to set the time for when you want the lights to illuminate. A timer is one of the easiest upgrades you can make this holiday season to provide an energy-efficient and safe decorating experience.

Non-electric Holiday Decorations

Non-electric decorations are the most energy-efficient holiday decorations because they do not require electricity. In years past, people decorated their trees with strings of popcorn and even candles to provide that extra holiday cheer. While it is not recommended to place anything with an open flame near a Christmas tree, candles provide a beautiful accent to tables, fireplace mantels and breakfronts. Mistletoe, pine cones, candy canes and Christmas tree trimmings also provide eco-friendly decorations that do not require electricity. Old greeting cards are also a valuable resource for constructing beautiful holiday accent pieces. Making your own holiday decorations can be fun for the entire family and provides an activity for time together.

These ideas are just the tip of the iceberg. Use your imagination and creativity to fabricate unique, one-of-a-kind decorations your family will cherish for years to come. Above all, practice safe decorating and have a wonderful holiday!

Roswell residents of the greater Atlanta area seeking additional expert advice on energy-efficient holiday decorations can contact Reliable Heating and Air. For over three decades, Reliable Heating and Air has been committed to its valuable customers providing outstanding customer care and support.

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