(Juno Beach, FL, Tuesday, December 4, 2018) –Putting up strings of holiday lights and giving special gifts to family and friends are holiday traditions for many Floridians. Before you deck the halls this year, consider how your decorations may impact your energy use and your bill.

Florida Power and Light’s Bill Orlove explains how you can decorate smarter and safer, and how you can give the gift of savings this holiday season.

SOUNDBITE #1:

ENERGY STAR LABELS INDICATE ENERGY USAGE THAT’S UP TO FORTY PERCENT MORE EFFICIENT THAN OTHER MODELS, WHICH CAN HELP LOWER YOUR BILL. SMART THERMOSTATS ARE ALSO A GREAT GIFT TO MANAGE YOUR ENERGY USE AND HELP YOU SAVE ABOUT FIFTY DOLLARS A YEAR. AND THINK ABOUT USING ENERGY-FREE DÉCOR: YOU CAN SUPPLEMENT YOUR HOLIDAY DISPLAYS WITH WREATHS, RIBBONS AND OTHER DECORATIONS THAT DON’T CONSUME ENERGY.

SOUNDBITE #2:

WHEN DECORATING, SET IT AND FORGET IT: USE AUTOMATIC TIMERS TO CONTROL HOW LONG YOU ARE RUNNING YOUR LIGHTS OR HOLIDAY INFLATABLES EACH DAY. THE FEWER THE HOURS, THE LESS ENERGY YOU’LL USE.  AND NEVER USE INDOOR LIGHTS OUTSIDE.  ALL OUTDOOR ELECTRICAL DECORATIONS SHOULD BE PLUGGED INTO A GROUND-FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. YOU CAN BUY PORTABLE UNITS FOR OUTDOOR USE OR HAVE THEM PERMANENTLY INSTALLED.

Learn more at FPLblog.com/HolidayLighting.