Green Living: Energy-Saving Tips from Santee Cooper
December 1, 2011
Make energy saving a holiday tradition
MONCKS CORNER, SC – December 1, 2011 – You can stay out of the red and save some green this holiday season by implementing new energy-saving traditions with your family.
Start by examining your holiday lights. Energy-efficient light emitting diode (LED) Christmas lights are easy to find, come in all shapes and sizes, and can save you money on energy bills over the holidays.
“LED holiday lights are more energy efficient than traditional bulbs and are especially useful in saving energy and money if you have a tendency to leave your holiday lights on for an extended period of time,” said Mike Poston, vice president of retail operations. “Plus, LEDs are made from durable plastic instead of glass, which is another advantage they have over incandescent bulbs.”
LED bulbs have other safety advantages too. They have a cooler temperature than incandescent bulbs, which reduces the risk of fire and personal injury. LED holiday lights also use less power so it’s safer to connect strings of lights, which also helps protect the wall socket from overloading.
In addition to using LED lights for decorating, you can save energy and money in your home by using these energy-saving holiday tips:Instead of adding more lights to your tree, decorate with tinsel, mirrored ornaments or other reflective items.
- When baking, be sure to keep the oven door closed. Instead of opening the oven door, check the progress of your sweets by turning on the oven light and looking through the oven window.
- Microwaves and toaster ovens use less energy than conventional ovens and are great alternatives for cooking side dishes. Also, using a slow cooker instead of an oven can save energy and money.
- Turn your thermostat to 55 degrees when you and your family are away on vacation. This temperature will keep your pipes from freezing while keeping your energy usage low.
About Santee Cooper
Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, and the state’s largest power producer. The ultimate source of electricity for 2 million South Carolinians, Santee Cooper is dedicated to being the state’s leading resource for improving the quality of life for the people of South Carolina. For more information, visit www.santeecooper.com.
