As we approach November, thoughts will soon turn to Christmas, but it could be a much darker festive period this year as many will be feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis.
A great majority of UK households – two-thirds according to a survey – will be cutting back on Christmas lights because of the high energy prices, while some won’t be putting any up at all. David Wilson Homes carried out the study as it wanted to see how the public would be celebrating this December given the cost of everything is increasing dramatically.
Already, a number of councils such as Guildford Borough Council have announced they are either cancelling or scaling back their light displays to save money and conserve energy amid fears over rising energy costs and potential blackouts. And David Wilson Homes’ One Pulse survey of over 500 British adults revealed 69 per cent of respondents are ‘concerned’ or ‘very concerned’ about energy costs and paying their utility bills this winter.
Further to this, a staggering 68 per cent of households are considering not putting up some or all of their lights this year. The exact cost of running Christmas lights depends on many factors, but there are ways of keeping costs down and David Wilson Homes have six tips on how to do this...
Switch to LED lights
LED lights use far less energy than traditional incandescent lights – at some estimates up to 95 per cent less electricity. Swapping out your existing set of lights for eco-friendly LED replacements could be good for the planet, as well as your pocket.
Use solar lights outside
You can also get solar-powered lights for use outside. These take in sunlight during the day and emit light when it gets dark. Not needing to be plugged into a socket, they also remove the need for an extension cord.
Choose battery-operated lights
Although many Christmas lights are mains powered, you can get battery-operated versions. These usually require a few AA batteries. With these sorts of lights, you can purchase the batteries and know you won’t get a nasty surprise in your next electricity bill.
Buy a plug-in timer
Plug-in timer switches are devices that can be programmed to switch on and off at certain times. Using a plug-in timer to control your Christmas lights means there’s no danger of them being accidentally left on overnight or while you’re away from home.
Opt for fewer lights
Each LED light bulb consumes electricity and therefore costs money to illuminate. Choosing a string of 50 lights rather than say 100 lights is a great way to reduce the number of bulbs you’re lighting and therefore your electricity bill.
Ditch the lights altogether
There are plenty of ways to decorate your home and throw yourself into the festive spirit without using Christmas lights. You could bring the outside in with a festive house plant such as a poinsettia or Christmas cactus, or get creative and make some decorations one wet, wintry weekend.
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