by Brianna Crandall — November 29, 2017 — The holidays are a great time for cheer, fun gatherings and decking the halls. Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd), a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation, offers tips on holiday lights and more to help save energy and keep people and facilities safe during the holidays.
Save energy…Don’t let the Grinch steal your energy
As ComEd points out, the grumpy, anti-holiday spirit Grinch may have been successful at stealing stuff from the residents of Whooville, but he could not steal their joy. Energy efficiency lighting is one way to fend off Grinchy costs. ComEd offers these tips to keep your holidays shiny and bright:
- Light up your home or business for the holidays by using energy-efficient ENERGY STAR-certified decorative light strings. They use up to 75 percent less energy than conventional incandescent light strands and are also cool to the touch.
- Power down all holiday lights when going to bed or leaving the house.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the number of light strands than can be safely connected together.
Stay safe…How to avoid Clark Griswold-like decorating calamities this holiday
ComEd continues its movie comparisons: while Clark Griswold wanted to light up the holidays for his family, his decorating tactics led to calamity. Make your holidays joyful by playing it safe; follow these few tips to decorate safely:
- Be aware of all the power lines when decorating outdoors. Never work near overhead power lines or anywhere there is a possibility of contacting an overhead power line — either directly or indirectly — with a ladder or other piece of equipment.
- Do not string holiday lights on outdoor trees that are growing near or into power lines.
- Ensure decorative lights used outside are approved for outdoor use.
- Hang outdoor lights with insulated staples or hooks instead of nails or tacks.
Shop wisely…It’s a wonderful marketplace
George Bailey had to go to Mr. Potter for a loan, but ComEd says going to the ComEd Marketplace can save money and energy:
- Invest in energy-efficient products — The Marketplace offers energy-efficient holiday lights, smart thermostats by Nest or ecobee, and much more.
- Receive an instant rebate — The ComEd Marketplace offers instant, point-of-purchase rebates on a curated set of competitively priced energy management products, integrated customer support, and end-to-end fulfillment. With just a few clicks, ComEd customers can receive up to $100 discount on smart thermostats or save up to $30 off recommended six-packs of LED light bulbs.
Since launching in 2008, the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program has reportedly saved residential and business customers more than $2.7 billion in energy costs. To learn more about the program, visit the ComEd Web site. Or if you have a question about lowering energy bills, ComEd’s “Energy Doctor” will offer free advice.
