Serving up savings

The holiday season is just around the corner and soon, festive music will flood the airwaves and sparkling lights and decorations will adorn homes and businesses.

But after all the hectic holiday hustle and bustle, you may receive higher-than- usual energy bills. I thought this month would be a good time to remind Broad River Electric Cooperative members of a few programs and efficiency tips to help you manage your energy use this season and into the new year.

Programs designed to help you save

Colder weather can result in higher energy use. Minor, low-cost improve- ments—such as weatherstripping exterior doors and caulking around windows—can make a difference on your energy bills. If you’re not sure where to start, our team of member service representatives is available to help and can tell you about specific pro- grams and services we offer.

Be festive without breaking the bank

It seems Christmas decorations go up on homes earlier than ever. If you’re hanging your lights out as soon as Thanksgiving leftovers are in the fridge, I hope you’re using LEDs. LED holiday lights use 88% less energy than incandescent, according to the Department of Energy. LEDs are also shock-resistant, shatterproof and cool to the touch, making them safer for the home.

Smart lights and plugs can help you save energy by connecting to a smart phone app or voice assistant to program lights to turn on and off at set times. If you don’t use smart home technology, you can still save energy by using traditional timers.

Additional easy ways to save during the holiday season include turning off overhead lights and using your Christmas tree to illuminate your home. If you have a fireplace, remember to close the flue when you’re not burning a fire to ensure heat doesn’t escape through the chimney.

Cook up energy savings

If you plan to have family and friends over this holiday season, you can cook up energy savings by using small countertop appliances like microwaves, air fryers and slow cookers when possible, as they use much less energy than the stovetop or oven.

When using the oven, bake multiple dishes at once for maximum efficiency. Turn the oven off a few minutes before the recipe’s end time and allow the residual heat to finish baking the dish. When using the stove top, match the pan size to the burner to maximize the stove top’s efficiency.

I hope a few of these tips will be helpful as we approach the holiday season. Remember, we’re here to answer any questions you have about managing energy use or your monthly bills. With a little planning upfront, you can find efficient ways to save on everything from holiday décor to your favorite soup recipes.

From your friends at Broad River Electric, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season.