As Christmas lights and inflatables illuminate homes across the nation, many are wondering: can festive displays be both fun and fiscally responsible? According to Putnam Valley resident Shawn Keeler, who has been decking his house for 30 years, it's possible to strike a balance between abundant decorations and reduced utility bills.
Keeler's over-the-top holiday display, featuring 3,000 light-up plastic lawn figures, 75 lit-up wire frame decorations, and more than 750,000 string lights, can add up to $300-$400 to his electric bill each year - a far cry from the $700 it cost him back in the 1990s. The key to this reduction? A switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs.
"We like the way they look and they don't use that much energy," Keeler explains, noting the significant savings made possible by these brighter bulbs. LEDs consume significantly less power than traditional incandescent bulbs, and can last up to 25 times longer.
But LED lights are just one part of a larger strategy for reducing holiday expenses. Jared Paventi, spokesperson for National Grid, recommends shopping for energy-efficient decorations that carry the Energy Star certification label. "These products are guaranteed to be the most energy efficient," he says.
For those who still want to enjoy festive displays without breaking the bank, there are other options available. Some smart timers can automatically turn off lights when not in use, while power strips with built-in switches can prevent standby power consumption. And for those looking to reduce their environmental impact altogether, non-electric or solar-powered decorations offer a great alternative.
According to Paventi, "We all love holiday decorations... but there is a cost to the holiday spirit." By making informed choices about energy efficiency and decoration selection, Americans can enjoy their holiday displays without sacrificing their budgets or the planet.
Keeler's over-the-top holiday display, featuring 3,000 light-up plastic lawn figures, 75 lit-up wire frame decorations, and more than 750,000 string lights, can add up to $300-$400 to his electric bill each year - a far cry from the $700 it cost him back in the 1990s. The key to this reduction? A switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs.
"We like the way they look and they don't use that much energy," Keeler explains, noting the significant savings made possible by these brighter bulbs. LEDs consume significantly less power than traditional incandescent bulbs, and can last up to 25 times longer.
But LED lights are just one part of a larger strategy for reducing holiday expenses. Jared Paventi, spokesperson for National Grid, recommends shopping for energy-efficient decorations that carry the Energy Star certification label. "These products are guaranteed to be the most energy efficient," he says.
For those who still want to enjoy festive displays without breaking the bank, there are other options available. Some smart timers can automatically turn off lights when not in use, while power strips with built-in switches can prevent standby power consumption. And for those looking to reduce their environmental impact altogether, non-electric or solar-powered decorations offer a great alternative.
According to Paventi, "We all love holiday decorations... but there is a cost to the holiday spirit." By making informed choices about energy efficiency and decoration selection, Americans can enjoy their holiday displays without sacrificing their budgets or the planet.
I think it's amazing that Shawn Keeler has figured out how to have fun with his Christmas lights while still being mindful of his utility bills 
He's like a superhero saving money on energy! And I totally agree, switching to LED bulbs is a game-changer 
. Not only do they use less power but also last way longer than traditional bulbs.
It's all about making conscious choices to save both our wallets and the environment 
. And those smart timers and power strips are genius inventions! Non-electric or solar-powered decorations are a great idea too, it's like having two holidays at once - Christmas and Earth Day 
so I was thinking, it's not just about how much we spend on stuff during holidays, it's also about being mindful of our impact on the environment... like Shawn Keeler's story, he could've gone broke with all those lights but switched to LEDs and saved a pretty penny 
. And I love how they mentioned Energy Star certified decorations, that's like having a badge of honor, showing us we care about the planet 
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I've seen some people spend upwards of $1,000 on their holiday displays! But if you're looking for ways to make it more affordable, switching to LED bulbs is a no-brainer. They last so much longer and use way less energy than old incandescent bulbs... it's like getting two holidays in one! 
But at the same time, who doesn't love a good light show? 
My friend's house used to be a total disaster every year... literally 10,000 fairy lights tangled everywhere 
And smart timers and power strips are genius ideas - my cousin actually got one of those power strip thingies and he only uses it for like 2 weeks a year... talk about saving $$! 
, I think its def possible 2 b festive n still savin $$$ 
Tho u gotta be careful not 2 overdo it or u'll be cursin at the meter rds 
!
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, but it's awesome that Shawn Keeler found a way to reduce his utility bills by switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs 
. But honestly, if you're feeling eco-conscious, solar-powered or non-electric decorations are a pretty cool alternative 
!
It's like, the holiday season is finally here and we're all just one power strip away from being eco-friendly... or so we thought. 
. It's great that Shawn Keeler is all about finding ways to save on his utility bill while still rocking an epic holiday display. LED bulbs are the way to go, no doubt 
. It's all about finding that balance between twinkling lights and saving the planet, am I right? 
but seriously, i think it's lowkey cool that ppl like shawn keeler are tryin to find ways to make it affordable. those energy efficient led bulbs r a game changer 
and shopping for energy star certified decorations is a good move too. but let's be real, some ppl just wanna go all out with their holiday displays, and that's ok too 
And get this - LED bulbs alone can save up to $50 on your electricity bill per year! 
️ The US Energy Information Administration says the average American household uses around 700 kilowatt-hours of electricity for holiday lights. That's a lot of power consumption! 
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It's crazy to think that all those twinkling lights can add up quickly! 
! And smart timers and power strips are genius - it's all about finding that balance between festivity and fiscal responsibility. Plus, non-electric or solar-powered decorations are a great eco-friendly alternative 
. A guy's decorating his house with 3,000 plastic lawn figures and still managing to save $$ on his electricity bill? Please. That's just a marketing ploy for energy-efficient bulbs, if you ask me