CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Before you go
to fa-la-la decking those halls this season, take advantage of Duke
Energy's holiday lighting calculator to determine the most
efficient way to display your holiday spirit.
Users can identify the type of lights, the number of 100-bulb
strands and how many hours the lights will be used per day to
estimate the energy cost per day and per month. Based on their
selections, customers can receive energy-efficient tips and
options.
For example, six 100-bulb sets of large, incandescent bulbs (600
bulbs total) plugged in six hours every evening can add as much
as $80 to a monthly power bill.
By comparison, six 100-bulb sets of similarly styled
light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs would increase a monthly power
bill by only about $7. Using six 100-bulb sets of mini-LED
bulbs would increase a monthly power bill by only $1.
Watts cooking?
Turkey, stuffing and pie are just some of the
staples of a holiday feast. And, a lot of your energy goes in to
mixing, roasting and baking your favorite dishes. Use our cooking
calculator to see the total cost of preparing everything from
appetizers to desserts.
Money-saving tips to combat the cold
As the holiday
season heats up, temperatures will cool down. Help save on your
winter energy bills with the following tips:
- The thermostat can be the biggest contributor of high winter
bills. Select the lowest comfortable setting on your thermostat
when you're home, then lower the temperature a degree or two when
you leave.
- Change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter makes a
heating system work harder, which uses more energy.
- Inefficient heating can also add to monthly power bills during
colder temperatures. Regular service calls from a licensed
technician will help to properly maintain your heating and cooling
system.
- The ceiling fan is a great way to stay cool in the summer and
warm in the winter. Simply set the fans to operate in a clockwise
direction, which pushes warm air back down into the room.
- On sunny days, leave your drapes or blinds open to allow the
sun's rays to warm the house.
- Wear warm clothing for additional energy savings at home. If
you're planning a holiday party this season, consider an ugly
sweater theme. That way, you can bump down the thermostat a degree
or two while your guests stay toasty and warm.
A safe and happy holiday season
Having a happy holiday
means having a safe holiday. Before you transform your home into a
festival of lights, follow these tips to stay safe and happy this
holiday season:
- Before installing lights, check each set – new and old – for
damaged sockets, loose connections and frayed or bare wires.
Discard damaged sets or repair them before using.
- Never use more than three standard-sized sets of lights per
extension cord.
- Plug exterior lights into ground-fault interruptible (GFI)
outlets only. If the home lacks outside GFI outlets, call an
electrician to install them.
- Before climbing a ladder, inspect it to ensure it's in good
working condition and follow the weight limits specified on the
ladder and manufacturer instructions.
- Never use a ladder on or near power lines.
For more tips and information on how to save energy and money
visit www.duke-energy.com.
About Duke Energy
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100
Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at
duke-energy.com.
The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for
journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and
videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online
destination for stories about remarkable people, innovations, and
community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into
the past and insights into the future of energy.
Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and
Facebook.
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SOURCE Duke Energy