It Makes Sense To Save Some Dollars This Holiday Season

3 Money-Saving Tips for the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Homeowners have a million things on their list at this time of year, and they all need to be checked twice! Stunning decoration, thoughtful gifts for family and friends, and a generous feast can put a strain on anyone’s budget. Many forget to consider the strain the festivities can put on the home’s electrical system. Expert electricians have three suggestions to ensure that the tidings of comfort and joy continue when the electric bill arrives. 

Save With Energy-Efficient LED Lights

For a small initial investment, switching to light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs will begin to pay for themselves immediately and in several different ways. LEDs draw much less electricity than incandescent, fluorescent, and even halogen bulbs. LED’s consume as much as 80% less energy. Some quick math shows substantial energy savings when taking a whole house into account. Also, they emit less heat, which means less chance of overheating, and they do not contain mercury, which is better for the environment. As a cherry on top, they last for almost a decade, making it so homeowners waste way less bulbs over the years.

Be An Efficient Baker

Homeowners rarely think about how much energy it takes to cook a microwave pizza, much less a feast for an extended family. One of the quickest ways to burn through energy is to heat a pot of water. On an electric stove, that could use almost 2400 watts per hour! One only needs to think about what else the kitchen is used for during the holidays: dozens and dozens of cookies, turkeys, hams, or maybe a tofurky roast, tasty sourdough loaves, and don’t forget the pie. 

To save on energy costs, experts suggest these tips:

• Don’t let the oven preheat longer than it needs to.
• Use glass or ceramic baking dishes. They retain heat better. 
• Plan so that every possible inch in the oven is used (if multiple recipes call for the same temperature, of course).
• Keep the oven door closed. Every time the door is opened, as much as 25 degrees of heat is lost. 
• Electric ovens can be turned off 5 - 10 minutes before the stated cooking time has elapsed. The heat trapped inside will cook the food the rest of the way. 
• Try to prepare all of the baked goods in one day to avoid the on/off, heating/reheating cycle. 

Be Smart With Electronic Decorations 

Holiday decorations never fail to create a more cozy and joyful home. Perhaps just a few plug-in candles are set in the windows. Maybe the entire house is covered in colorful bulbs that change color with music. No matter the choice of decor, the holidays almost always mean a bump in the electric bill. A simple remedy is to place as many electronic devices on timers as possible. 

Automatic timers are easier than ever to use. Homeowners can opt for the traditional manual timer or have total control at their fingertips through an app on their smartphone or using a smart speaker. Either way, consciously controlling when lights and other electronics turn on and off will result in savings when the utility bill arrives. 

About Albritton Service Co

Albritton Service Co wants to make sure every home is safe, comfortable, and running as efficiently as possible. The experts at Albritton have been serving the area since 1982 and are ready to help residents of Ruston, LA with any general electrical service.

• 
  +
• 
  +
• 
  +