You’ll enjoy the warm glow and good cheer that holiday lights bring to the inside and outside of your home even more when you know your decorations are energy efficient and safe. Here are some easy ways to light up your holidays the GreenThinkers way…

For indoor use, a new choice - LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs - are a great energy-saving option. The use of LED lights can contribute up to 80% - 90% in electricity savings, which quickly adds up. LED bulbs also last up to 10,000 hours and emit very little heat, which makes them safe for indoor use.

Control your energy usage on outdoor holiday lights by installing a timer for your LED light strings, which you can program so your lights switch off at a pre-selected time. You can purchase timers equipped with photocells to prevent lights from coming on during daylight hours. Putting timers on indoor holiday lights is not recommended, as unattended lights are a potential fire hazard. Always turn your indoor lights off before going to bed or leaving the house.

Want to save energy and money this holiday season? Switch to LED bulbs! It’s my first try at ‘holiday’ lights, and if all goes well, mine will be up this weekend.

Photo credit: Climate Change Canada