Many Hollisterites began the annual chore of stringing strands
of Christmas lights Friday with an eye on safety and energy
costs.
Hollister – Many Hollisterites began the annual chore of stringing strands of Christmas lights Friday with an eye on safety and energy costs.
And while residents are working tirelessly to pay proper homage to the illuminating tradition of home decoration, California’s primary energy provider is promoting a more efficient type of Christmas light that can help people save money while keeping their houses bright during the holiday season.
Hollister resident Carolyn Acosta usually spends a week decorating her Severinsen Street home with wreaths, candy canes and Christmas lights. But this year she is hoping to get it done in only three days. Acosta competes with 30 other Severinsen Street homes in a decorating contest each Christmas. With help from family and friends, Acosta was able to string up 40 strands of lights Thursday, but many more still have to go up, she said.
“It’s fun, everyone is really into the holiday spirit,” she said. “This neighborhood goes crazy.”
Acosta isn’t worried about her energy bill because the majority of her lights are small incandescent bulbs that use less power than conventional large bulbs.
And while Acosta’s willing to shell out some extra cash to spread a little holiday cheer, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is working to teach homeowners a more efficient way to show their Christmas spirit.
PG&E spokesman Jeff Smith said the state’s largest energy provider is donating 250 boxes of light emitting diode Christmas lights – called LED lights – to San Benito County charities in the hopes of promoting a more economical holiday. The charities will hand the lights out with bags of food, he said.
Turning on 300 large incandescent bulbs for five hours a day during the 45-day holiday season will cost about $65, but using the same number of LED lights would only cost 39 cents, Smith said. Most decorators still use incandescent lights, but every year more switch to LED.
Smith recommends residents use LED lights in place of traditional incandescent bulbs because they use less energy, along with several other benefits.
“They are a little bit safer because they don’t burn as hot,” Smith said. “But the main advantage is saving money.”
When LED lights first hit the market they were only sold in one or two colors, but now they come in just about every color and are available for similar prices in most retail stores, Smith said.
“They’ve become more popular over the last three or four years,” Smith said. “Each year the lights become more advanced and more attractive to consumers.”
Hollister resident Mary Newton is using large incandescent lights to enliven her home this year, but she will be keeping an eye on her electrical bill. Newton and her roommate have been turning off other lights in their living room and bedrooms in order to save energy for Christmas decorations, she said.
“Turning off lights makes it easier,” she said. “And the lights really help brighten spirits for the holidays.”
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com.
