The holiday season in Florida is a time for celebration, often bringing unique energy challenges related to lighting displays and occasional heating needs. By implementing smart strategies for decorating, cooking, and climate control, you can keep your home cozy and bright while significantly reducing your utility bills.

Holiday Lighting Tips

One of the most festive holiday traditions is the festive lights decorating the inside and outside of homes, but these lights can come at a large cost to your energy bill. Outdoor lighting can even be a risk for wildlife when used irresponsibly. These tips can help your household produce that holiday cheer, without the added costs.

• Use outdoor lights responsibly. Avoid unshielded or misdirected spotlights that send light upwards. Instead, opt for lights that are not too bright, angled downwards, and only used when needed. It’s best to look for lights with a warm or amber glow, rather than cool white or blue lights that can disrupt the circadian rhythm of humans and animals. Click here to learn more about responsible outdoor lighting.
• Upgrade to LED lighting. The biggest opportunity to save on holiday lights is switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to modern LEDs. LEDs use about 80-90% less power than incandescent bulbs. LEDs also last longer and are cooler and more durable, increasing safety by reducing the risk of fire or breakage. When using LED lighting outdoors, it is important to choose warm-toned lighting.
• Use timers or smart controls. Automate your display by installing a light timer to automatically turn lights on and off. Using timers ensures lights only run when they can be enjoyed, such as between 5 PM and 10 PM, rather than all night. You can also use smart plugs or Wi-Fi outlets to set custom schedules or control lights remotely. This will also prevent lights from continuously drawing power when not in use, known as “vampire” or “phantom” draw.
• Use candles. To reduce energy use, while maintaining a festive and warm atmosphere, safely use candles as decorative lighting. Using beeswax, soy, or coconut wax candles with essential oils, rather than fragrance, can be a great way to enjoy candles without compromising on air quality.
• Focus your display. Instead of lighting every surface, strategically place your lights in key areas like the roofline, entryway, and front trees for a greater visual impact with less power consumption.
• Adjust indoor lighting. When your holiday lights are glowing, reduce overall household energy use by turning off other indoor lights and letting the decorations provide the main cheery glow.

Smart Home Heating for Florida’s Winters

Florida’s mild winter climate means that traditional, powerful gas and electric heaters are often less practical and inefficient, leading to high utility bills. Even though heating is less frequent in Florida, the Residential Energy Consumption Survey shows that it makes up nearly 10% of the annual energy consumption in Florida homes.

• Choose the right system. For efficient heating, heat pumps act as both an air conditioner and heater by transferring heat rather than generating it. Alternatively, ductless mini-split systems are great for zone control, allowing you to heat only the

  

  specific rooms that need it, leading to significant savings.

• Use programmable thermostats. Installing a programmable or smart thermostat allows you to set automatic schedules to maintain comfort while saving energy.
• Set temperatures wisely. Avoid the mistake of “cranking up” the heat when temperatures drop, as this strains the system and won’t heat the home faster. Instead, set a comfortable and consistent temperature. If you’re heating your house when home, keep the thermostat set to 68F and lower it at night. If you’re hosting, lower the thermostat by a few degrees before guests arrive, as the extra body heat generated by people will keep the space warm. When heating the house while you’re away, set the thermostat to 65F to save energy.
• Ensure clear airflow. Do not let drapes, furniture, or holiday decorations block intakes or vents. Obstructed airflow forces your heating system to work harder than necessary. Remember that dirty filters also block air flow; give yourself the gift of clean air and efficient HVAC systems by replacing your filter monthly.
• Seal leaks. Insulation and air sealing are critical for maintaining home temperatures year-round, including retaining heat. Use caulk and weather stripping to seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors to keep heat from escaping your home.

Energy Efficient Holiday Cooking

With families and friends coming together to share many holiday meals, it’s important to keep your cooking efficient to save time, energy, and money.

• Cover pots and pans. Covering your pots and pans traps heat inside and allows

  

  food to cook evenly while using less energy.

• Match pot to burner size. To reduce heat loss, put pots and pans on the same-sized burner. If you use a 6-inch pan on an 8-inch burner, over 40% of heat will be wasted. When using a gas stove, ensure the flame does not go around the side of the pan.
• Limit use of the oven. When possible, opt for more energy efficient appliances such as microwaves, induction burners, toaster ovens, and slow cookers.
• Use glass or ceramic pans in the oven. This bakeware allows you to decrease your oven’s temperature by 25 degrees while allowing food to cook just as quickly and evenly.
• Don’t open the oven often. The temperature in the oven decreases by 25 degrees every time the door is opened. Not only does this prolong your cooking but also warms the air in the room.

Learn More

Sarasota County UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability has many opportunities to learn about saving energy around the home. Read about efficient LED lighting, responsible outdoor lighting, or attend an Energy Upgrade Workshop to learn more!

Sources

Energized. (June 17,  2020). Easy Ways to Save Energy While Cooking. Edison International. https://energized.edison.com/stories/easy-ways-to-save-energy-while-cooking.

U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2023). Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) – 2020 Data. U.S. Energy Information Administration.

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