The holiday season is just around the corner. Soon, festive music will flood the airwaves, sparkling lights will adorn homes and businesses, and good tidings will abound.

The holidays also bring a frenzy of decorating, cooking and family gatherings, and amid the hustle and bustle, you may receive higher-than-usual energy bills. Keeping this in mind, I thought this month would be a good time to remind LaGrange County REMC members of a few programs and efficiency tips to help lower your monthly energy use.

PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP YOU SAVE

Winter months typically bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. Making minor, low-cost improvements, such as weatherstripping exterior doors and caulking around drafty windows, can have a positive impact on energy bills. If you’re not sure where to start, contact LaGrange County REMC to schedule a free home energy audit.

Our energy advisor is available to help, so I encourage you to give us a call if you’d like to learn about specific programs and services that can lower your bills.

BE FESTIVE WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

LED holiday lights use 88% less energy than incandescent versions. To put that into perspective, the Department of Energy estimates that with standard holiday decorations, LED lights typically increase energy bills by about $5 to $7. But with incandescent lights, energy bills will typically increase by $33 or more.

Beyond energy savings, LEDs provide additional benefits, such as being shock-resistant, shatterproof and cool to the touch, making them safer for the home.

Additional ways to save during the holiday season include turning off overhead lights and using your Christmas tree to illuminate your home. If you have a fireplace, remember to close the flue when you’re not burning a fire to ensure that heat doesn’t escape through the chimney.

COOK UP SAVINGS IN THE KITCHEN

If you plan to have family and friends over this holiday season, you can save energy by using small countertop appliances such as microwaves, air fryers and slow cookers when possible, as they use much less energy than the stovetop or oven. When using the oven, try baking multiple dishes at once for maximum efficiency.

I hope a few of these tips will be helpful as we approach the holiday season. Remember, we’re here to answer any questions you have about managing energy use or your monthly bills.

Your friends at LaGrange County REMC hope you have a wonderful holiday season.