Simply Better Ways to Safely Decorate for the Holidays

IRVING, Texas, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Holiday lights are a common tradition this time of year. With First Choice Power's Simply Better holiday lighting tips, ensure your holiday lights are bright, energy-efficient and safe.

"Festive lights are a special part of the holiday season, and we want to ensure that everyone can enjoy them to the fullest while staying safe and saving energy -- and money," said Jeff Weiser, president of First Choice Power.

Energy-Efficiency Tips

-- Time: Reduce your energy use by running your lights on a timer pre-set for three to five hours. Do not operate lights for more than six hours a day to keep energy use and costs manageable. For customers without a timer, turn the lights off when you go to bed.

-- Wattage: The large, traditional bulbs (may be labeled C-7 or C-9) use 4 to 10 Watts per bulb. Mini-lights use about 0.4 Watt per bulb. New LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights use only 0.04 Watts, or about 99 percent less energy than traditional holiday bulbs and last as many as 100,000 hours when used indoors.

-- CFL: Change light bulbs around your house to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. The energy-savings throughout the year can add to your holiday lighting energy-savings.

                                      Source: http://www.energyideas.org

    Safety Tips

-- Ensure lights are approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The UL mark guarantees that representative samples of the product have been tested for safety.

-- Do not overload electrical circuits with extension cords filled with tree lights, lamps, appliances and electrical equipment.

-- Before decorating, check light sets for frayed wires, damaged sockets or cracked insulation. If you find defects, replace the entire set.

-- Unplug indoor tree lights before watering the tree. Avoid fire by keeping your natural tree well watered and keeping extension cords and lights away from the water.

-- Turn off all electrical indoor decorations before leaving home or going to bed. Hot bulbs can ignite dry branches and other flammable decorations.

    For more energy-saving tips visit http://www.FirstChoicePower.com/tips.

Additional Savings

First Choice Power encourages customers to save even more on their electric bill throughout the year by securing a fixed-price plan through summer 2009. Log on to http://www.FirstChoicePower.com.

About First Choice Power

Based inIrving, Texas, First Choice Power is one ofTexas' largest retail electric providers. First Choice Power is committed to Simply Better prices, programs, customer care and community involvement. For more information, visit FirstChoicePower.com.

PUC REP Certification No. 10008 | First Choice Power Special Purpose, L.P.

SOURCE First Choice Power

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