Bright Ideas: 3 Smart Tips to Save Electricity on Holiday Decorations this Year

If you’re looking for new ways to maximize savings this holiday season, consider a more energy-efficient lighting decoration system. ComEd offers three easy ways to show off your holiday spirit while saving energy and money for the things that matter most.

“During the holidays, ComEd’s support for communities goes beyond making sure there is reliable electricity to power your lights and family gatherings,” said Denise Muñoz, director of Strategy & Innovation for ComEd. “By connecting you to advancements in energy efficiency, solar, and smart technology, we can help you save money now and into the future, so you have more room in the budget for what’s at the top of your list every holiday season.”

outdoor light timer

1. Use Lighting Controls

Controlling your lights can mean controlling the cost of your electric bill. Lighting controls allow you to save energy and money by turning off lights when not in use. Some useful types of lighting controls that can be paired with your festive string lights include:

• Photosensors
  • Photosensors detect the presence of light to prevent lights from being left turned on during daylight, allowing you to save energy and not have to remember to turn off your lights.

• Timers
  • Manual or digital timers allow you to turn lights on and off at your preferred times. Timers not only help you be more energy efficient with holiday light decorations, but they can also keep you safe by preventing lights from staying on overnight and posing a fire hazard.
    

    smart plug

• Smart plugs
  • Wi-Fi smart outlets or plugs enable you to turn your devices on or off or even set a timer from any smart device wherever you are. This gives you more control over your devices like remotely managing your holiday lights.

2. Switch to LEDs

LED string lights

LED stands for light-emitting diode and is today’s most energy-efficient lighting technology. In the U.S., residential LEDs use at least 75% less energy. Other benefits include:

• Safety:
  •  LEDs emit very little heat in comparison to incandescent lights, minimizing the risk of a fire hazard.

• More durable:
  • Instead of glass, LEDs are made with epoxy lenses, making them much more resistant to breakage, especially outdoors.

• Long lasting:
  • Investing in durable LEDs, which last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lights, can save you money by avoiding replacing your lighting decorations for many more holiday seasons to come.

• Easy to install:
  • Overloading circuits is always a safety hazard when putting up decorations, but with LEDs you don’t have to worry about that. You can install up to 25 strings of LEDs, connected end-to-end without overloading the same wall socket.

solar-powered string lights

3. Explore Solar-Powered Lighting

Going solar with your outdoor lighting decorations could be one of the easiest ways to save energy. Outdoor solar lighting systems are controlled by photosensors that detect light to automatically turn on your lights in the dark and off during the day. Solar cells on a panel collect energy from the sun’s rays and turns it into electricity that can be stored in a battery and used at night, so be sure to place it in direct sunlight clear of any shade or obstructions. Some systems allow for the solar panel to be charged when there’s low sunlight. As long as the solar panels receive the manufacturer’s recommended hours of sunlight, you can count on showing off your holiday spirit without plugging into an outlet.

You can find most of these energy-saving products at your local home improvement stores as well as online retail stores. To learn more about other energy-efficient home products, visit ComEd.com/ShopandCompare.