Power for Progress: More tips for holiday lighting efficiency, safety

Safe and efficient holiday displays
This week GRDA offers a few more tips for efficient, colorful, and safe holiday lighting displays.

Power for Progress…

A weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority

More tips for holiday lighting efficiency, safety

The holidays are a great time to add some extra, colorful illumination to your homes and businesses. From the rooftop to the living room, both inside the house and out on the lawn, nights are filled with bright holiday colors, twinkling lights and other displays that attract much attention.

Obviously, all that extra lighting also equals extra electricity usage. So, as you prepare your display for the season, the Grand River Dam Authority takes this opportunity to pass along some more seasonal lighting tips from energy.gov.

First, as we have shared before, consider switching to all LED lights. Not only do they use 70 percent less energy than the traditional incandescent bulbs, but they are durable and last, on average, up to ten times longer than incandescent.

Next, consider limiting your usage. By using timers to automatically turn your displays on and off, you can help keep holiday lighting costs in check. 

Of course, efficient lighting is only part of the holiday illumination equation. Safety is also a key consideration. Whether working with indoor or outdoor lighting, it is important to follow all manufacturer guidelines for usage. The United States Consumer Production Safety Commission (CPSC) also reminds us to only use lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory and conform to all safety standards. Additional CPSC tips call for inspection of extension cords to ensure they are rated for the intended use. Also, be sure to stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles when putting up your display. Another important tip is to make sure that outdoor electric lights and decorations are plugged into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI).

We look forward to seeing your colorful, safe, energy-efficient lighting displays! 

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees, and efficiency.