Despite all the lore, the legends and more, Halloween started as a Christian holiday dedicated to remembering the dead — the saints, the martyrs, and the faithful departed. The word “Halloween” literally means “Saints Evening.” And through the centuries, the holiday has evolved into a time for fun, for trick-or-treating and costumes and parties with candy by the ton. Think carving pumpkins and having bonfires, bobbing for apples, with games and pranks and scary stories galore. All this activity, marking the beginning of the holiday season, comes with a price tag. Think lights, decorations, and baking. Think heat. Think sky-high energy bills. Because saving you money is a treat you can enjoy, we at Huber Heights Heating & Cooling compiled the following list to make for a happy “Hallogreen.” Save yourself hundreds this season by being wise to the game.
DON’T LEAVE ON YOUR DECORATIONS ON
Don’t forget to unplug your exterior lights after an exciting night of trick-or-treating, or giving out candy to kids with spooky costumes at your doorstep. Leaving your lights on all night is a good way to run up your energy bill. It’s a waste of precious and valuable energy.
BE AWARE OF SO-CALLED “ENERGY VAMPIRES”
One way to drive up your energy bill is to ignore “energy vampires.” What’s an “energy vampire?” Tablets, computers, game consoles, and other household electronics can be infamous “energy vampires.” Often, these phantom loads consume energy even when you aren’t using them when you might assume they’re “off.” Experts estimate that the average annual cost of all “standby” or “idle” power is around $170 per American household. So be sure your electronic devices are either are in energy-saving mode or powered down to a power strip that can be unplugged Suspecting whether your electronics are energy vampires? A trustworthy indicator is a gleaming light that remains on even when you power off the device. On that same note, experts also say the average American family consumes at least $2,000 a year on their home energy bills. Those same experts say you could save 20 to 30 percent off that bill by going with energy efficiency upgrades. That’s $300 to $600.
WELCOME THE KIDS WITH WALKWAY LIGHTS
Walkway lights are an excellent way to attract kids to come to your front door. Not only that, but also they help kids walk the correct path and stay safe. Solar walkway lights will replenish its energy during the day and blaze that bright path at night. Plus, you can get imaginative and utilize them as part of your Halloween decors!
BREAK OUT THOSE CANDLES
There’s nothing quite as hypnotic and enticing as the flickering flame of a candle amid the darkness. While practicing the utmost safety, strategically place candles around the house and turn off those energy-burning lights for a break. Candles don’t use electricity and are especially spooky inside your carved pumpkin. We all understand how critical it is to produce the right mood for your Halloween decorations.
DURING PARTIES TURN DOWN YOUR HEAT
So this makes sense. If you host a Halloween party, be sure you turn down the heat by at least 1 or 2 degrees. Hosting parties involves a lot of cooking and baking, so you can have hot food or treats for your guests. Take advantage of the heat generated by your appliances and all of your guests’ warm bodies under your roof. Often, parties can get too hot. Taking your temperature down ahead of time will make everyone comfortable and save you energy.
BUNDLE UP
Legend has it that ghost hauntings can cause a crisp chill in the air. Wrap up with some warm layers incorporated into your costume to embrace the brisk cold. You’ll hardly notice the difference. This way, you can keep your front door open for trick-or-treaters and your thermostat down a couple of degrees.
SAVE MONEY WITH LED LIGHTS
Don’t fret about the energy cost this year when you set out those festive lights. Just replace your incandescent light bulbs with super energy-efficient LED bulbs. Although they might cost a little extra to buy, LED light bulbs expend at least 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent lighting. They also and last 25 times longer. On top of that, LED bulbs can shine for up to 40 years. They’re safer. They are much cooler, making them less likely to burn your hands. Looking for more ways to save money this season?
Call Huber Heights Heating & Cooling today at 937-226-9675 for an appointment with one of our trusted technicians, or schedule an appointment now at www.huberheightsheatingandcooling.com/schedule-now/.
