Looking for ways to save energy at Christmas? With the holiday season comes festive lights, warm gatherings and cosy comforts, but it’s also a time when our energy consumption spikes. With a few simple tips and switches you can reduce your environmental impact, cut your energy bills and still enjoy all the magic of the season.
What are the biggest energy users at Christmas?
The biggest causes of higher energy bills at Christmas time are:
- Festive lighting, both inside and outside the home
- Heating during the cold weather
- Extra cooking and baking
- More time using TVs and other devices
That shouldn’t mean you need to cut back on any Christmas celebrations or traditions! There are a few simple ways to keep your energy bills low and still celebrate with family and friends.
Switch to LEDsÂ
Switching your Christmas tree lights from incandescent bulbs to efficient LEDs reduces the amount of electricity your tree uses by up to 90%. LED bulbs also heat up much less than classic fairy lights. This saves energy- and also means they’re safer to use around paper or other flammable decorations.
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Use Solar
Your LED lights won’t add to your utility bills if you opt for a solar-powered display. Solar lights work best outside, where they can drink in sunlight all day and light your garden in the evening. That way you can enjoy a beautiful display while still saving energy at Christmas.
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Time your lighting
Displays of lights and decorations are beautiful, but there’s no reason to have them lit up when no one is around. Connect your lights and decor to plug timers and set them to come on automatically as night falls and switch off when you head to bed. No more having to run back downstairs when you realise you left the tree turned on.
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Pick the right spot for your tree
The location of a central decoration can make a big difference in saving energy at Christmas time. Placing a tree – or any large piece of furniture or decoration – in front of your radiator blocks heat from circling in the room. Keeping your tree clear will help your home feel warmer, and it’ll stop your tree from drying out as quickly.
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Roast in shifts
Most people manage to pack their ovens full on the big day, but you should also keep efficiency in mind in the lead-up to dinner. Bake cakes and pies at the same time that you roast vegetables to save energy by only heating the oven once. Write out a list of everything you’ll be cooking over the festive period and look for opportunities to share oven-time. If there is;t enough room for everything, putting one dish in right after another means you don’t have to heat the oven from cold.
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Hob hacks
When cooking on the stovetop, match the ring to the pan you’re using. Oversized rings lose heat around the sides of pans, and using too large a pot will mean you’re using more heat than necessary. Putting a lid on boiling vegetables and sauces also saves energy as they’ll heat up quicker and stay warm longer.
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Watch the thermostat
Cooking a large meal and having a house full of guests will warm your home, independent of your central heating. If you feel things getting warmer, reach to turn down the heating before taking off your jumper. Take advantage of the extra heat, and return your thermostat to normal once the house is empty.
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Send Santa to the back door to save energy at Christmas
It may be Father Christmas’s usual point of entry, but the chimney is also a major culprit for losing heat from your home. A chimney balloon or sheep will block cold breezes and stop precious warm air from escaping. Just make sure to let Santa know not to use the normal entrance!
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Give the gift of energy-saving
If you’re gifting electronics this year – or if you’re treating yourself in the Black Friday or January sales – check for the energy efficiency grade of each product. Since 2021, the rating scale has gone from A – G, with A-rated devices being the most efficient. An A-rated appliance will not only have a lower carbon footprint, but it will also cost less to run over the coming years.
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