There’s no place like home for the holidays. Especially given that we would rather spend time indoors keeping warm than have to go outside and brave the cold. The holidays are a time to gather with families, play games, enjoy big dinners, and exchange gifts; which means keeping the heat on, cooking big meals, plugging in new toys and appliances – all which can drive up energy costs and eat into your savings.
While the holidays can be a joyful time, we understand they can also be stressful. We want to help reduce your stress this holiday season with these holiday savings and safety tips.
Heating and Electrical Holiday Safety Tips
House fires increase around the holidays given all the extra usage and decorations. The last thing you want when spending time with family or entertaining guests is an unexpected house fire. Following these safety tips can help prevent fires and keep you prepared:
- Keep anything flammable, combustible, or susceptible to burning at least 3 feet away from open flames or heating equipment such as fireplaces, candles, furnaces, space heaters, stoves, and radiators.
- Turn off holiday lights, cooking appliances, and blow out any candles before you leave the home or go to bed.
- Never use your oven to heat your home as this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Speaking of carbon monoxide, be sure to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly.
- When planning holiday decorations, such as string lights, always check the cords for corrosion or damage and space out where you plug them in so you don’t overload any outlets. See our holiday lighting safety post for more tips.
- Don’t use your grill or any other fuel-burning appliances indoors or under tents to prevent fires and carbon monoxide.
Holiday Savings Tips
These tips can help you reduce your energy usage this holiday, which can also save you some money. Instead of worrying about high energy bills, keep these holiday tips in mind to reduce your home energy costs.
- Keep the oven closed and use the oven light instead to check your baking. This prevents the oven from losing heat and having to work harder or longer to properly cook your food.
- Run full dishwasher loads to conserve water and energy. Running a full dishwasher uses less water and heat than washing dishes by hand.
- Keep your holiday lights on a timer and turn them off during the day when they’re not visible and when you’re not home for prolonged periods of time to save energy.
- Schedule a heating inspection to ensure your furnace or heat pump doesn’t need any repairs and is working efficiently.
- Insulate your attic to prevent your home’s heat from escaping too rapidly. This will help keep the heat trapped inside your home, thus preventing your heating from overuse and keeping you warm.
These are just a few holiday savings and safety tips, but a little can go a long way. Wishing you a warm and safe holiday!
