Tips for Enjoying a Safe, Warm and Cozy 2016 Holiday Season in Harrison

HARRISON, NY — While the weather around the lower Hudson Valley has fluctuated somewhat lately with highs in the low 50s to overnight temperatures that are freezing in some areas, it's only a matter of time before we are all going to be struggling to stay warm.

Weather forecasters are even saying the upcoming winter might be one for the record books in terms of being deadly cold.

So as you start to put up the trappings of the holidays, it's important to plan ahead to make sure your decorations won't cause you grief or make you spend more money.

Con Edison has some suggestions to ensure a safe and energy efficient holiday season.

Decorating safely

The utility company says that decorating this holiday season can be done safely with these tips.

1. LEDs Save You Dollars: Using LED lights can help your wallet and the environment. An average string of lights can cost residential customers 27 cents per kilowatt-hour, which adds up to 47 cents per string. Six strings on an average tree add up to $2.87 for the holiday season — a little more than the cost of an NYC slice of pizza. Non-LED lights can cost you up to 10 times the amount to power, so get rid of the old lights and go enjoy the whole pie. Click here and watch ConEd's pizza savings video.
2. All About Your Time: Set timers for lights to automatically turn on when it gets dark and turn off in the middle of the night. You can save a bundle keeping light displays on from 6 p.m. to midnight, instead of all night long.
3. Hang With A Star: Look for ENERGY STAR products when purchasing larger electronics or appliances. These models meet stricter requirements and can reduce energy usage up to 40 percent compared to standard models.
4. Power Strips are Power Savers: U.S. households spend approximately $100 per year to power devices while they are in a low power mode, roughly 8 percent of household electricity costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To save energy, shut off power at the strip when the appliances are not used.

Don't forget these important electrical safety tips:

• Check electric cords for worn spots or fraying. Don’t mend it; replace it.
• Don’t place electric cords under carpets or furniture.
• Never attempt to retrieve an electrical product that has fallen in water.
• Never staple or nail cords to walls or baseboards.
• Don’t overload outlets or powers strips. Overheated wires start fires.

And while you are enjoying those decorations, Central Hudson has some tips for keeping your home cozy and warm and energy efficient.

Check your air filters every month: Heating and cooling can account for more than 50% of your home energy use. By cleaning or replacing air filters regularly, you can improve the performance of your system and reduce energy costs.

Seal leaky ducts: Your home could be losing up to 20% of its heated and/or cooled air if it's being transported through leaky ducts. Check for any obvious holes and seal them with mastic, then reinforce them with fiberglass mesh tape.

Adjust your thermostat a few degrees: Heating and cooling can account for more than 50% of your home's energy use. Setting your thermostat just a few degrees lower in the winter can add up to big savings.

Clear area around vents: Furniture and carpets can block vents and prevent rooms from warming up or cooling down efficiently. If your home is heated or cooled through vents, move objects away from them to maximize circulation and save energy.

Maintain your heating system: In the colder months, heating usually accounts for the largest part of your energy bill. Schedule maintenance each fall to ensure your heating system is running safely and efficiently before winter.

Open your shades on winter days: Take advantage of winter sunlight. By opening blinds during the day to use natural light and capture free heat, you'll be able to lower the temperature on your thermostat and save on heating costs.

Program your thermostat to reduce cooling costs: In the summer, your AC system uses energy to maintain the temperature set on your thermostat even when no one's home. Program your thermostat to rise to 88°F when you're away and go back to 78°F before you return. For smart thermostats available on our CenHub Store with rebates, click here.

Lower your thermostat a few degrees: Heating accounts for most of your winter energy use. To save energy and money, set your thermostat to 68°F when you're home and lower the temperature by 10°F when you're away and before bed.

Use a space heater and turn down the thermostat: A portable electric heater can save energy if you heat a small area and lower the temperature in the rest of your home. Turn down the thermostat and close the doors to the room with the space heater to seal in the warmth. Purchase a new model that with built-in safety features and thermostat controls.

Use heated blankets and turn down the thermostat: Do your household members use heated blankets or pads to stay warm? You can save on heating costs by turning the thermostat down a few degrees while you're bundled up under the covers.

Program your thermostat to reduce heating costs: In the winter, your heating system uses energy to maintain the temperature set on your thermostat even when no one's home. Program your thermostat to drop to 58°F when you're away and go back to 68°F before you return.

Using the Ceiling Fan Year Round: In the summer, use the ceiling fan in the counterclockwise direction. While standing directly under the ceiling fan you should feel a cool breeze. The airflow produced creates a wind-chill effect, making you "feel" cooler. In the winter, reverse the motor and operate the ceiling fan at low speed in the clockwise direction. This produces a gentle updraft, which forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space. Remember to adjust your thermostat when using your ceiling fan — additional energy and dollar savings could be realized with this simple step!

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