Dominion Energy provides tips for conserving energy with holiday lighting

One downside to decorating for the holiday season seems to be the higher electric bill that comes with it. According to Dominion Energy officials, that doesn't have to be the case, if families implement ways to conserve energy.

“Holiday decorations don’t have to lead to a high energy bill,” said Ginger Greenway, manager of energy information services for Dominion Energy South Carolina. “You can keep things merry and bright while saving energy with LED lighting, using timers and adding reflective decorations. LED lighting is cooler than incandescent bulbs, lowering the risk of fire and personal injury, while reflective decorations can appear bright without using electricity.”

Dominion Energy South Carolina encourages customers to follow five tips for holiday lighting safety and energy savings:

1. Use LED lights. Energy Star-certified LED string lights use about 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and last about 10 times longer, Dominion officials said. Look for rebates and seasonal coupons on energy-efficient lights at your local hardware and department stores.

2. Reduce usage. Set timers for lights to turn on and off automatically. Leaving holiday lights on during broad daylight increases your energy usage and reduces the life of the light bulbs in your decorations. Only turn on displays when it is dark or when passersby will most appreciate them.

3. Plan your layout. Arrange your decorations so that no outlet is overloaded, and no cords will be pinched by furniture or positioned under rugs. When appropriate, use advanced power strips (APS), which include built-in features that significantly reduce the amount of energy used when not in use.

4. Read labels. Be sure to check each product label or packaging to see whether the lights are intended for indoor or outdoor use. Make sure lights have a tag indicating a recognized testing laboratory has evaluated them.

5. Get reflective. Shiny ornaments, tinsel and mirrors can multiply the lighting effects without using more energy.