Cost-Effective Holiday Lighting Ideas for Energy-Smart Canadians

Holiday Lighting Ideas for Canadians on a Budget

Lots of Canadians love stringing up the holiday lights, but none of us enjoy getting hit with a massive power bill. There are some simple ways to save money on your winter power bill’s shock without losing that cheerful look you want on your home. These ideas will help you keep your display bright, while still keeping a sharp eye on the energy use.

LED Lights Make the Biggest Bang for Your Buck

LED lights changed the way homes look during the holiday season.

• They use a tiny fraction of the electricity compared to the old bulbs.
• Because they stay cool, even during long nights, they won’t heat up your house and make you lose heat.
• A strand of LED lights will last for years, keeping your budget steady, even through the harsh winters, icy mornings and freezing winds.

Timers Keep You on Track

Lots of homes with holiday lights end up leaving them on way longer than they need to be. A simple timer fixes that problem.

• Set your lights so they come on at dusk, then turn off at a time that fits your daily routine.
• If you’ve got lights on a timer, you can also shorten the evening on weeknights. It makes it so people pass by your house and see the lights for a while.
• A timer not only helps with saving energy, it also protects your lights from long periods of burn time that can strain the wires and make them burn out faster.

Smart Plugs Give You that Little Extra Control

Smart plugs make it super easy to manage your power from your phone.

• You can turn your lights off if you forget to do it before going to bed.
• A lot of them even track your energy use so you can see where your money is going.
• Smart plugs work with timers, which is perfect for those super cold nights when you want to be able to turn on the lights real quick, especially right before an early storm or when you get home after a icy walk.

How You Hang Your Lights Matters Too

How you lay out your holiday lights is just as important as the type of lights you use. Doing it right can save you some money.

1. Light Up the Important Areas: Focus on your rooflines, doors and walkways. Extra lights in hidden corners are just a waste of energy and money.
2. Keep Your Runs Short: Long lines of lights draw more energy than shorter ones. Break up big plans into smaller clusters that draw attention to one thing at a time.
3. Mix Your Bulbs with Your Decor: Add some wreaths or reflective ornaments near your lights. It will make them shine brighter without needing more wattage.

See also: India Wall Art Decor: Beautiful Pieces to Transform Your Space

Outdoor Cords and Connectors Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought

Cords are easy to forget about, but they play a part in your energy use.

• Get cords that are made for winter so you can avoid those stiff, brittle wires.
• Keep your plugs off the snow so they don’t get wet.
• Try to keep your runs simple. Extra links add a little energy loss that can add up real fast.

When to Get Rid of Your Old Setup

Old strands use more energy and break faster in cold Canadian winters.

• Swap out any flickering bulbs.
• Get rid of any cords that are all stiff and brittle after a long freeze.
• A quick check before the season starts can save you money in the long run because weak parts make your system use more power.

A Quiet Note at the End

Some people love putting up holiday lights, while others find it way too much work. If you ever feel unsure about the job or the height, and you are worried about your safety, it can be really smart to reach out to a pro and get some help. They deal with this stuff all the time and can make sure the job gets done safely, even in tough winter conditions.