Christmas lights? 18 October 2022 at 9:40AM in Energy 26 replies 4.3K views

budgetbettyboo

Ok, so we are that house that puts us loads of Christmas lights. I have budgeted hard and can afford to have them up this year, but my question is it morally ok to put them up this year? I am torn by wanting to please local people who love them, and the realisation that with power shortages and some people struggling to pay bills that maybe I shouldn't. What do you all think?

Apodemus

Bah!  Humbug!   

EssexHebridean

If you can afford it, and you know people feel it cheers up the local area, then I'd lean towards saying put them up. If you're concerned about their power use then it might be worth you checking for any older ones that could be replaced with LED ones and switching those? Although there will be an initial outlay, in the longer term as well as using less energy they will also work out cheaper for you. As for the moral aspect, might you be able to suggest that folk might like to donate a £1 or two to the local foodbank if they've appreciated the lights? Obviously make clear that it's only those who can afford it, but it might encourage anyone locally who WOULD feel negatively to see it as doing some good, instead? 

ariarnia

if you can afford to out up lights for others to enjoy then it means they can enjoy the lights without having to pay lots themselves. dont see that as a bad thing

victor2

Put them up and work out how much energy they use. As already mentioned, use LED lights where you can. Then if/when somebody complains about you wasting energy, you have an answer. Express it in terms of x minutes in an electric shower per night of illumination and spreading the season's greetings.

Neil_Jones

budgetbettyboo said:

Ok, so we are that house that puts us loads of Christmas lights. I have budgeted hard and can afford to have them up this year, but my question is it morally ok to put them up this year? I am torn by wanting to please local people who love them, and the realisation that with power shortages and some people struggling to pay bills that maybe I shouldn't. What do you all think?

Do what you like.  If you want to put them up and you can afford to run them, then put them up.

If you can't, then don't.

What other people think is immaterial.  In this day and age whatever you do is going to upset somebody.  So do what makes you happy.

powerful_Rogue

I'm part of a group that do the music to light shows. It's been worked out it would cost roughly £80 in electricity for the month of December to run, which is a drop in the ocean compared to what the equipment costs, the joy it brings to people that come every year to see the shows and the money it raises for charity.

If you can afford it, go for it.

oldagetraveller1

As long as they less than a total of 1MW it would be fine by me.

wanoennogs

budgetbettyboo said:

Ok, so we are that house that puts us loads of Christmas lights. I have budgeted hard and can afford to have them up this year, but my question is it morally ok to put them up this year? I am torn by wanting to please local people who love them, and the realisation that with power shortages and some people struggling to pay bills that maybe I shouldn't. What do you all think?

If you can afford it and provided we have no energy cuts I think it is ok. Kids and adults love seeing the lights and you are spreading Xmas cheer. If we do get energy cuts in winter I would leave them off.   

molerat

Morally I see no problem if you can afford it.  Your "wastage" will be a drop in the ocean compared to the big wasters out there, National Grid for one, who leave their whole building lit up like a christmas tree when empty.

Spoonie_Turtle

I would say if we're at risk of blackouts, you could consider turning them off during the high-risk hours (4-7pm must likely) depending on how much power they actually draw.  Obviously it's up to you, I'm just coming from the angle of one of the people who would be concerned about them being an unnecessary strain at times of very high demand.

Have you worked out how much power they'll draw?