Bright Savings

7016309225 • November 13, 2024

Tips for Keeping Your Electric Bill Down During the Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, homes across the country light up with festive decorations, twinkling lights, and cheerful displays. While these decorations add warmth and joy to the season, they can also lead to increased energy consumption and higher electric bills. Fortunately, with a few simple strategies, you can enjoy a festive atmosphere while keeping your energy costs under control. In this blog post, we'll explore practical tips for minimizing energy usage and maximizing savings during the holiday season.


Switch to LED Lights:

  - LED lights consume significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer. Consider replacing your old holiday lights with energy-efficient LED alternatives to reduce energy consumption and lower your electric bill.


Use Timers or Smart Plugs:

  - Take advantage of timers or smart plugs to control when your holiday lights and decorations are illuminated. Set them to turn on at dusk and automatically switch off late at night to avoid unnecessary energy usage during sleeping hours.


Opt for Solar-Powered Decorations:

  - Embrace sustainable holiday decorating by choosing solar-powered lights and decorations for your outdoor displays. Solar-powered options harness the sun's energy during the day and illuminate your home at night without relying on electricity.


Limit Decorative Lighting Hours:

  - Consider scaling back the hours that your holiday lights and decorations are turned on. While it's tempting to keep them glowing all night, limiting their operation to a few hours in the evening can help conserve energy and reduce costs.


Decorate Mindfully:

  - Be selective with your holiday decorations and focus on high-impact areas to achieve a festive ambiance without overloading your electrical circuits. Choose a few key focal points, such as the front porch or living room, and concentrate your decorations there.


Unplug Unused Electronics:

  - When not in use, unplug electronic devices and decorations to prevent them from drawing standby power. This includes chargers, decorative lights, and other holiday gadgets that may remain plugged in even when not actively in use.


Use Energy-Efficient Appliances:

  - If hosting holiday gatherings, opt for energy-efficient appliances when cooking and entertaining. Use slow cookers, microwaves, and toaster ovens, which consume less energy than conventional ovens, to prepare meals and snacks.


Seal Drafts and Insulate Windows:

  - Keep warm air inside your home and reduce heating costs by sealing drafts around windows and doors. Install weather stripping, caulk gaps, and use draft stoppers to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.


Lower Your Thermostat:

  - Lowering your thermostat by a few degrees can result in significant energy savings, especially when hosting guests or engaging in festive activities that generate heat. Encourage guests to dress warmly and cozy up with blankets to stay comfortable.


Practice Energy-Conscious Habits:

  - Encourage family members to practice energy-conscious habits, such as turning off lights when leaving a room, using energy-efficient appliances, and conserving hot water when washing dishes or doing laundry.


By implementing these energy-saving tips, you can enjoy a festive holiday season while keeping your electric bill in check. With a little mindfulness and planning, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your celebrations without breaking the bank. Cheers to a happy, energy-efficient holiday season!

Bright Savings
electrical repairs

Essential Insights for Safe and Effective Electrical Repairs

October 20, 2025
Ensure safety and reliability with professional electrical repairs. Hire a licensed electrician to handle hazards, comply with codes, and protect your property.

Spooky Season Safety

By 7016309225 • October 17, 2025
Halloween is a time for glowing jack-o’-lanterns, spooky decorations, and front yards lit up like haunted houses. But with all the extra lights, extension cords, and power-hungry props, it’s also a time when electrical safety is more important than ever. At KrisLee Electric, we want to make sure your Halloween is all treats—no shocks or fire hazards. Here are a few Halloween electrical safety tips to keep your home safe while staying festive: 🎃 Use Outdoor-Rated Decorations and Cords Not all Halloween decorations are built the same! If you're plugging in lights or inflatables outside, make sure: They’re labeled for outdoor use Cords and plugs are weather-resistant Outlets are GFCI-protected to prevent shock 💡 *Tip: Don’t run cords through doors or windows—they can pinch and damage the wires.* 👻 Avoid Overloading Circuits It’s tempting to go all out with lights, sound effects, and fog machines—but too much on one circuit can trip breakers or start a fire. Use multiple circuits if possible Don’t daisy-chain extension cords Use smart plugs or timers to manage loads ⚠️ If you notice flickering lights or warm outlets, it’s time to unplug something! 🕯️ Switch from Candles to LEDs Open flames in jack-o’-lanterns and along walkways look cool but come with serious fire risk—especially around costumes and dry leaves, opt for: Battery-powered LED candles Solar pathway lights LED string lights for a spooky but safe glow 🔥 Bonus: LEDs use less energy and last longer, too! 🧛 Keep Walkways Clear and Cords Taped Down Trick-or-treaters may not see cords in the dark. Prevent trips and falls by: Using cord covers or heavy-duty tape Running cords along the edges of walkways, not across them Keeping decorations out of the main walking path 🎃 Test Your Smoke Detectors and Outlets With extra electricity running through your home, make sure: Smoke and CO detectors have fresh batteries Outdoor outlets are properly sealed Extension cords are free of frays or damage 🛠️ Need an outlet upgrade or GFCI repair before the big night? We’re just a call away. Stay Safe and Spooky! 👷‍♂️⚡ We love Halloween as much as you do—but we take electrical safety seriously. If you need help getting your home Halloween-ready or want an inspection before the holiday season, we’re here to help. You can check out these other spooktacular safety tips to help you have a Boo-itful Halloween, Schedule a fall electrical checkup today and enjoy a worry-free Halloween!

Truth About Knob and Tube Wiring

By 7016309225 • September 17, 2025
If you've ever bought or lived in an older home, chances are you’ve heard of knob-and-tube wiring. This vintage electrical system was standard in homes built from the 1880s through the 1940s—and while it was innovative in its day, it raises some serious concerns today. So, what exactly is knob-and-tube wiring, and is it something you should be worried about? Let’s break it down. ⚙️ What Is Knob-and-Tube Wiring? Knob-and-tube (often abbreviated as K&T) is a method of electrical wiring that uses ceramic knobs to hold wires in place and ceramic tubes to guide them through wooden beams. Unlike modern wiring, it has: No grounding wire Separate hot and neutral wires, run individually Cloth or rubber insulation (which can deteriorate over time) While it worked well for the lower electrical demands of early 20th-century homes, it wasn’t designed for today’s energy-hungry appliances or safety standards. 🚩 Why Knob-and-Tube Wiring Is a Concern Many homeowners ask us: “Is knob-and-tube wiring dangerous?” The answer? It can be. Here’s why: No Ground Wire Modern wiring includes a ground wire for safety. K&T lacks this, which increases the risk of shocks and fire—especially when used with today’s electronics. Insulation Breakdown The cloth insulation used in knob-and-tube systems becomes brittle over time, exposing live wires that can arc or overheat. Modified or Improperly Repaired Wiring Many homes with K&T have had "DIY fixes" over the years—mixing old wiring with modern components. These mismatched setups often violate code and pose safety hazards. Overloading the System Homes built with K&T were never designed to handle the load of modern HVAC systems, microwaves, EV chargers, or multiple electronics. 🏡 Can You Sell or Insure a Home with Knob-and-Tube Wiring? Many insurance companies are reluctant—or outright refuse—to insure homes with active knob-and-tube wiring. Even if you find coverage, expect higher premiums. Some mortgage lenders may also deny loans until the wiring is updated. If you’re selling a home, outdated wiring could be a deal-breaker for buyers. 🔧 What Should You Do if You Have Knob-and-Tube Wiring? If your home has knob-and-tube wiring, here are your options: ✅ Schedule a professional inspection – to assess condition, safety, and potential upgrades ✅ Consider a full or partial rewire – especially in high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms ✅ Avoid insulating over it – it needs space to release heat, and insulation can become a fire hazard ✅ Don’t plug modern high-wattage devices into older outlets – they may not be safe or up to code ⚡ Ready to Upgrade? We Can Help. At KrisLee Electric, we specialize in evaluating and replacing knob-and-tube wiring with modern, safe, and code-compliant electrical systems. Whether you’re renovating, buying, or selling an older home, we’ll guide you every step of the way. 📞 Contact us today for a professional inspection or estimate—because when it comes to electrical safety, what you don’t see can hurt you.
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