Efficiency over Excess: Keeping Energy Expenses Under Control This Holiday Season

If I could bottle up one season forever, it would be the holidays. The family traditions, the food, decorations, and the opportunity to teach my kids the joy of giving through charitable acts — they all fill my cocoa cup.  

But the budget crunch can also be real. Between all the gifts, cooking, school events, decor, travel and community support, the expenses around this time of year can add up. 

The average American plans to spend $890 this holiday season according to the National Retail Federation. When you add in more outdoor lights, home heating and extra cooking over the holidays, energy use can increase too, and lead to higher winter energy bills. 

This year, I’m determined to dodge the end-of-year financial dip. I can’t skip hosting family for holiday meals or opt out of meaningful donations, but I can control how much energy I use at home. 

My holiday lights use LED bulbs for improved efficiency. LEDs use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. I’m also putting my displays on timers, so I don’t waste energy lighting my house overnight. I found a great waterproof timer on Amazon for $16!

Ten extra people in my home for holiday parties means extra body heat, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on the thermostat. I plan to drop it about 3 degrees before guests arrive to keep my house comfortable. For every degree I lower the thermostat, I can save 1% in annual energy costs. 

With hosting duties on my plate, I’ve chosen dishes that are easy to batch cook, and I’ll use my convection setting to cook them faster. I’ve even put a note next to my oven reminding me to keep the oven door closed, since every peek drops the temperature inside by 25 degrees. I’ll also fire up my air fryer and crockpot, which use a fraction of the energy of my oven and keep my house cooler. These may not sound like much, but I know the small changes in my kitchen habits will make a difference.

An easy pre-party move was adjusting my water heater thermostat at 120°F (or lower if you prefer). When I checked mine, it was set to 130°F. Dialing down the temperature will reduce the amount of energy it takes to keep water flowing without overheating it.

Another simple fix? Unplugging those energy vampires lurking around my home. They are devices like phone chargers, computers, and small kitchen appliances that quietly drain power even when they are in standby mode or turned off. 

Data shows vampire appliances can account for 10% of the typical household’s energy bill in the U.S. The cumulative effect of multiple devices drawing power can cost consumers up to up to $100 a year, so I have smart power strips in place to cut off power to devices when not in use. 

By making smarter choices, I’m freeing up money for the family commitments I can’t and won’t compromise on. And I know my home will feel just as festive. 

Watch this video for additional savings strategies this season.

About the author

 Adrienne Moore joined PG&E’s Marketing and Communications team in 2023. A busy mom of two boys, she is passionate about helping customers save energy and money, sharing energy efficiency tips and tools, and making bill support programs easy to understand and accessible for all. Her goal is to ensure customers feel supported when managing their energy needs.