The holiday season is a joyous time for many- but it also means additional expenses. People spend money entertaining and buying gifts. Energy bills are high due to lighted displays, less daylight, and dropping temperatures.

Solar energy provides several benefits, but cost-efficiency is a priority for many people. Individuals who go solar see much lower utility bills and other tax benefits. Households can take advantage of savings year-round, but they are especially useful during the holiday season.

Find out how solar can help you get through the holidays while saving you money and helping the environment.

Increased Electric Bills During the Holiday Season

Electric use increases as temperatures drop. Several factors contribute to an increase in electrical needs including:

• Holiday Lights: Lighted displays can increase electric bills by $50 to $60 a month. However, amounts vary according to how many lights you use and the extent of your displays.

• Additional Holiday-Related Expenses: The holiday season means more cooking and cleaning. You may also have guests in town who will use your utilities and appliances.

• Colder Weather: Many households turn their furnaces on when temperatures drop. People who use an electric furnace will see higher electric bills which can be offset by solar panels. Those who use gas heat may consider switching to an electric panel/solar energy combination to offset costs.

Prepare for More Price Increases in 2024

Experts warn that heating and electric bills will be especially high in 2024. Households with electric furnaces will see a steep increase in electric bills. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association has warned consumers to expect increases of 10.5% above average- costs which can be offset with solar.

Consumers who use oil can also expect increases, but they won’t be hit as hard. Rates are expected to rise only 6.1% due to a weakening oil market.

Rising electricity prices are largely due to climate change. Utility companies are investing in strengthening the national grid to protect it against weather events that are more likely to occur with global warming. They are passing these expenses on to customers.

Solar can help in two ways. For one, it lowers electricity bills. It also reduces the electric grid burden, so utility companies don’t have to spend as much fortifying it. They can charge consumers less to help the economy and reduce spending.

How Much Do Holiday Lights Increase Electric Bills?

Lighting and heating expenses plague us throughout the season, but electricity bills are especially high in the fall and winter due to holiday lights. 2021 statistics show December average electricity use is 1046 kWh, 18% higher than normal. However, your rates may vary depending on how many lights you use, the types of lights you use, how long you keep your lights on, and usage rates in your area.

WGNTV offers an equation that will help you determine how much your holiday lights will contribute to your electric bills as follows:

1.    Multiply the wattage by the hours per day the light will be on. Then divide that by 1000 to find the daily kWh.

2.    Multiply the daily kWh by the cost of your power usage found on your electric bill.

3.    Multiply the cost by day by the number of days your lights will be on.

You can reduce your expenses by using LED lights instead of incandescent lights. The WGNTV article goes on to explain that a strand of 300 white mini LED lights is 21 watts while the same strand with incandescent lights is 72 watts. If you plug those numbers into the equation, the LED lights will cost you about 62 cents while the incandescent bulbs will cost $2.11.

That might not seem like much but consider that this will be the cost of just one light strand. Most households use several light strands in their displays.

Holidays Also Contribute to Carbon Emissions

The increased energy use during the holiday season also contributes to carbon emissions. A Research Gate study shows food preparation and waste, travel, lighting, gift packaging, and wrapping over just three days produces up to 650 kg of carbon emissions, 5.5% of our annual carbon footprint.  

Solar panels and electric vehicles reduce carbon emissions minimizing environmental impact during the holiday season.  Reducing, reusing, and recycling are other helpful practices.

Calculating Solar Panel Needs for the Holiday Season

Holiday displays can get expensive. A solar panel can offset costs, but your system must be efficient enough to do the job.

Option One Solar estimates that you will need a solar system that produces around 12,000kWh to power a Southern California home through the holiday season. They use the following formula based on the ballpark estimate that 1 kW of solar power will produce 1600 kilowatt hours per year in the region under ideal conditions.

·  Divide the annual kWh by 1600 to get the necessary kilowatts of solar capacity.

·  12,000/1600=7.5. Therefore, you would need a 7.5 kW solar system.

If you use highly efficient bifacial solar panels with a 400-W capacity, and install 26 of them on your roof, you may have enough to run your lighting display without any electric bills. With the average array featuring 15-20 panels, that’s more than most roofs can handle. However, smaller arrays will offset costs making your holidays more affordable.

Additionally, a solar battery is a must for any household that wishes to power a holiday display. The battery stores energy generated during the day to power the system at night when the display is illuminated. Batteries increase upfront solar spending, but they make systems more efficient. They can also be included in your solar tax credit.

Solar Christmas Lights are Another Solution

Consumers will require an extensive installation to power their displays and homes through the holiday season. Solar Christmas lights may be a more convenient option.

These lights attach to a small solar panel to charge an attached rechargeable battery during the day. The panel is usually attached to a stake that you can use to move your lights into a sunny spot when the sun is out. When the sun sets, a light sensor turns the light on automatically.

Solar Christmas lights typically feature LED lights which are more energy efficient, so they use solar energy sparingly ensuring they stay on through the night.

These energy-efficient Christmas lights are more expensive than traditional Christmas lights costing 30% to 50% more. However, this usually amounts to an additional expense of less than $10 since Christmas lights are not typically expensive to begin with. Additionally, their ability to offset electric expenses counters the upfront cost.

Solar Christmas lights are available in various lengths, colors, and settings. They only need a small amount of sunlight so they will power your display, even on days without a lot of sunlight.

How to Make the Most of Solar During the Holiday Season

Electricity is in high demand during the winter. Even the most efficient systems may be overtaxed, especially considering the lack of sunlight during the winter months. Here are some tips that will help you make the most of the energy your system generates.

• Do High-Energy Tasks During the Daytime:  Homes without battery backup must rely on the electric grid once the sun goes down. You can reduce reliance on the grid by performing high-energy tasks, like cooking, charging electronic devices, and laundry, during the day.

• Avoid Drawing from the Grid During Peak Hours: Many utility companies charge more for electricity used during peak hours- usually between 4 - 9 PM. If your utility company works this way, avoid using electricity during these hours.

• Invest in Battery Backup: A battery will store the solar power your system generates during the day so you can use it at night. It’s integral for anyone who wants to power their holiday display with solar considering displays are mostly illuminated at night.

Consider Solar Cooking Appliances

Many households experience inflated energy bills during the holiday season due to additional cooking needs. People who prepare meals using an electric range will see increased electric bills which are likely to be especially high this year due to the work being done on the electric grid. Those who use gas stoves will also deal with cost and energy use increases.

You can reduce costs by using an electric stove powered by a solar array. You may also use solar cooking appliances which are powered by the sun’s energy.

Solar cooking devices are typically ideal for outdoor use as the sun can power them directly. However, you can also place a solar cooker in a sunlit area of the kitchen for optimal energy generation. Scientists are also working to develop cookers that will transfer solar heat for indoor cooking.  

Solar America Will Help You Go Solar for the Holidays

The holiday season is coming soon. A solar array can be the ideal gift for your family. It will save you money during the winter and throughout the year. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

Solar America can assist you on your solar journey. Type your information into our contact form. We will provide information on reliable providers in your area. Review each to determine which is best for you. Our competitive system ensures you get affordable results.

Contact us to ensure your electric bills stay affordable during the hectic holiday seasons.