Around this time of year, the streets are decorated with many lights. With Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa all at the same time, it seems nearly everyone has something to celebrate. And, with celebrations and holidays come many lights. Although these lights bring joy and happiness to the gray, snowy December days, we must consider how much energy and money is being used. Though trying to bring cheer to other people is a good use of energy, keeping lights on all the time is not.##M:[more]##
The average household uses ten strands of lights. If each strand uses a hundred watts and roughly three-quarters of all U.S. households have light displays, indoors or outdoors, that means that for the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we use over 20 billion kilowatt-hours. At $.0853 per kilowatt-hour, that’s about $1,”719,”648,”000. We’re using a lot of money and energy for decoration.
Now I love these lights, but the amount of money and energy we expend is huge. Many people are considering switching to LED’s which use less energy. Unfortunately, it is very expensive to replace every single light, and many people just aren’t ready to spend that kind of money. But here’s a bright idea.
If we turn lights off earlier, that would save incredible amounts of energy and money. Since most kids are in bed by 10 p.m., that would be a good time to turn them off. If everyone in the United States turned off their lights by 10p.m., using them for about four hours instead of eight, that would cut the amount of energy (and money) used in half. That would mean saving about 10 billion kilowatts and about $859,”824,”000. This would make a substantial difference.
I am only one person, but I have taken a “”contract”” around my neighborhood and many of the residents of Fisher Place and Fairview Avenue have already agreed turn their lights off at 10 p.m,. when most kids are in bed. Some have also agreed to turn their lights off completely for one day a week. Anybody who drives down our street on Wednesday may see no holiday lights but we will still be celebrating. Whoever wants to follow our example is welcome to. Think how much energy can be saved just by turning off your holiday lights by 10 p.m.It is a simple way to really help save the world and your electricity bill!
-Avery Miller
Seventh grade student at Community Middle School
