The holidays are fun and joyful, but they also bring with them cool weather and an increased power bill as you turn up the heat to keep you and your family nice and toasty.

Historically, most people’s energy bills go up in the winter because there are extra requirements to heat their homes, for seasonal lights and decorations and extra baking. Here are some tips about how to save on your bill this holiday:

* All holiday lights should be controlled by a timer so that you do not need to keep track of when to turn them off or on.

* Bake in batches, so that oven usage is kept to a minimum.

* Rather than using the oven or stove for cooking, try to make your meals using crock pots, slow cookers or other smaller appliances.

* Program your thermostat to decrease the temperature at night and when you are not in the home. A thermostat that is automatic makes it much easier than trying to do it by memory.

* All ceiling fans need to be changed from summer to winter so that they circulate the warm air throughout the room.

* New windows, doors and insulation should help keep the warm air in your home and the cold air out.

* Purchase LED lights for your Christmas tree this year. They use far less electricity compared to traditional Christmas lights, and they don’t have to be replaced as often.

This is one of the best times of the year, but energy costs can make it even more costly. Following these simple tips can make a big difference to your wallet.

If you are more serious about decreasing your power bill, it may be time to look into solar energy. There are also some great options for heating water that are much more efficient than a hot water tank. Making sure your home has the right insulation, windows and doors can significantly decrease your bill as well.

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