As festive cheer illuminates homes across Britain, a stark warning has been issued about the hidden cost of Christmas decorations. With millions set to deck their halls with lights and inflatables, energy experts have calculated the exact impact on household budgets.
The Festive Energy Drain
New data from the comparison service Uswitch reveals that the nation's love of Christmas lights and decorations could add a significant sum to winter energy bills. The research indicates that around 34 million Britons will hang up Christmas lights this year. However, concerns over high costs are already changing behaviour, with one in ten people saying they are reducing their display due to energy bill fears.
According to Uswitch's estimates, the collective glow from festive items could add as much as £15.87 onto the average household's energy bill over the Christmas period. This figure accounts for a range of popular decorative items, from traditional fairy lights to more modern, power-hungry displays.
Running Costs of Popular Decorations
Uswitch has provided a detailed breakdown of what common Christmas items could cost to run throughout December. The calculations highlight a wide variance in energy consumption.
- Snow machines: The most expensive item on the list, costing approximately 24p per hour to run. Using one for an hour each day in December could add £7.44 to your bill.
- Outdoor light-up signs: Leaving a sign running for eight hours a day could cost 21p daily, leading to a monthly total of £6.51.
- Fan-powered inflatables: A more budget-friendly option at 0.6p per hour. An hour of daily use throughout December would cost just 18.6p.
- Snowflake projectors: Estimated at 0.5p per hour. Running one for eight hours daily over the month would total around £1.24.
- LED fairy lights: The most efficient option listed, costing just 0.2p per hour. Using them for eight hours each day in December would add approximately 49.6p to your energy costs.
How to Decorate for Less
Fortunately, there are several effective strategies to keep your festive spirit bright without causing a shock to your finances. Energy experts recommend opting for warm white LED lights, which are generally more energy-efficient than their multi-coloured or cooler-toned counterparts.
Being mindful of how long your displays are switched on is crucial. Simply turning off all lights before going to bed can lead to substantial savings over the month. For those looking for a completely bill-free option, battery-powered lights are a compelling alternative. A single pack of batteries can often last the entire festive season, and this method has been estimated to be up to five times cheaper than using plug-in lights.
By making informed choices about the type and duration of their Christmas decorations, households across the UK can enjoy the festive glow while protecting their wallets from an unnecessary energy bill hike.
