Energy-Savings Tips for the Holiday Season

Cold, snowy winters on the Cape and Vineyard often bring higher energy costs as we spend more time indoors using our heating, lighting, and appliances. Fortunately, the team at Cape Light Compact has put together these helpful tips so you can better manage your energy expenses, giving you time and money to spend elsewhere during the holiday season.

1. Install an ENERGY STAR® certified programmable or Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat. As a Sponsor of Mass Save®, the Compact offers customers rebates of up to $100 per thermostat. These advanced thermostats allow you to better manage your energy use by scheduling the desired temperature throughout the day and, in turn, determining when your heating and cooling systems should run. Some smart Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats are even compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Home, making them a great gift idea for any tech-fanatics.

2. Prevent air leaks. The best way to prevent air leaks is through quality insulation and air sealing; opportunities for such can be determined through a no-cost home energy assessment. Getting started is easy: just call 1-800-787-6699 or sign up online.

3. Update your outdoor lighting to LEDs. Adequate outdoor lighting is important to have year-round for your own safety – especially in the winter with the risk of icy walkways. By updating to ENERGY STAR certified LEDs, you will benefit from the same amount of brightness as traditional bulbs but use up to 90% less energy. The Compact supports discounts on LED lighting through the Mass Save online marketplace. You can also find great deals on outdoor LEDs at local retailers with discounts provided by the Compact and the other Sponsors of Mass Save.

4. Pay attention to your chimney. If you don’t use your fireplace often, it can be a weak spot for air leaks. To help eliminate drafts, consider installing a chimney balloon in your fireplace. You can even receive a $35 rebate for your purchase!

5. Wash full loads only. This applies to your dishwasher, clothes washer, and clothes dryer. You can often save energy by waiting to operate a full wash, rather than having your appliances constantly running to accommodate numerous smaller loads. You can take the energy-savings even further by choosing appliances that are ENERGY STAR certified – they’re designed to maintain performance and functionality but are highly energy-efficient compared to non-certified models.

6. Entertain efficiently! If you’re hosting over the holidays, there are several ways you can entertain guests while still keeping in mind your energy usage. For instance, if you’re working in the kitchen, check on whatever you’re cooking by using the oven light, rather than opening the oven and releasing heat. Entertaining also provides the perfect excuse to update your dining room lighting: ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs now come in many decorative bulb styles.

7. Unplug before vacation. Heading elsewhere for the holidays? Unplugging electronics that won’t be in use is a great way to limit energy waste. Even when electronics like your toaster, coffee maker, phone charger, or TV are turned off, they are still draining electricity. To prevent energy waste, make sure to unplug appliances and turn off lighting that isn’t needed while you’re not home.

This season, don’t let energy waste pile up unnecessarily. Use the seven tips above to reduce energy use and associated costs, plus check out even more savings opportunities by visiting CapeLightCompact.org.

About Ann Luongo

Ann Luongo has been writing for Cape Cod and South Shore publications for over 15 years.



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