Holiday Safety and Efficiency Tips from Senator Michael Venditto

‘Tis the season to be jolly! The holidays are a wonderful time to enjoy with family and friends. Use these helpful tips to keep your home energy efficient and you and your loved ones safe this holiday season and year round!

• Plug your holiday lights into a timer. Save money by only displaying lights when you can see them. o Use ENERGY STAR LED lights. According to their website, ENERGY STAR certified decorative light strings use 75% less energy than conventional incandescent lights strands and they last up to 10 times longer. Now that’s something to be jolly about.
• Rockin’ around the Christmas tree? Just make sure if you have a real tree, you keep it well watered to avoid any issues with hot lights.
• Lighting a Menorah? Make sure to place it atop a nonflammable surface (such as aluminum foil) and secure candles in their holders by slightly melting the wax at the bottom of each candle before placing in the Menorah.
• Cook your holiday meal in a slow cooker, instead of the oven. For about 17 cents worth of electricity, you can prepare an entire meal!
• To prevent your pipes from freezing or bursting in the event of a sudden temperature drop, keep your water heater at 120 degrees, and make sure your hot water storage tank is insulated. Set your thermostat between 50-60 degrees.
• Re-use wrapping paper or gift bags. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), if every American family wrapped just 3 presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

Please feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or comments. I wish you all the joy of the holidays and the best in the year to come.