Whether you’ve already decked your halls or haven’t started yet, there is still time to incorporate energy savings into your holiday decorations.

If you haven’t already strung your lights, switch to Light Emitting Diode (LED) holiday lights. LEDs are energy efficient, brighter and cool to the touch. LEDs consume less energy than incandescent lights and last much longer. They also resist breaking because they are made with epoxy lenses instead of glass.

If your lights are already up, you can still save on lighting costs by installing a programmable light timer. Most models cost between $10 and $25 and can be purchased at most major retailers such as Amazon, Lowes or Walmart. With the programmable timer, you can easily set when you want your holiday lights to operate, saving time, money and energy. If you are using the lights outdoors, make sure to use weatherproof lights, which are intended for outdoor use.

To save even more, consider a more natural approach to decorating. Many Christmas tree farms or retail stores sell or even give away greenery clippings from recently trimmed trees. Adding a little twine, extra ornaments, and sparkly ribbon, you can create a beautiful wreath over your front door or windows. To add extra light at night, you can install solar-powered spotlights.

Regardless of how you decorate your home for the holidays, there are plenty of ways to save energy throughout the season.

For more energy-saving tips that you can implement this holiday season, visit our website at CHELCO.com/energy-efficiency.