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Two $450 electric bills on a 1600 sqft ranch made me look for a better way

Yes, it is true! Last year during the Christmas season, I had two $450 electric bills after the space shuttle announced my house could be seen from space with all the Christmas lights I had on it.

This year we are living in one of our investment properties and it isn't wired for such a light show, but I still knew I needed to find a better way, and we have! For less than half of one of last years bills, we found outdoor solar lights that charge during the day and stay on all night long and don't cost me a dime in electricity. Then the lights are LED and will last 100,000 hours without burning out!

You can start your search the same way I did and Google "Solar Christmas Lights" and you will be amazed at how many are out there. We happened to find ours at Home Depot for $20.00 for each 37' strand and couldn't be happier with our find.

Hope this saves you some money on your Christmas electric bill, as it has me, and I'm pretty sure it is better for the environment also.

Merry Christmas

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

Posted by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Your Washington Co. Real Estate Expert) on 12/08/2007 04:25 PM

Comments (14)

solar christmas lights, saving money, energy savings, oregon, tigard, washington county, space shuttle, saving money for the family

14 Comments on Two $450 electric bills on a 1600 sqft ranch made me look for a better way

Todd - What a great idea. I was dreading putting ours up for this very reason.

12/08/2007 04:36 PM

by Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (Austin Texas Homes, LLC)

Todd - This is a wonderful idea for cutting your electric bill in December...Now if I could just get solar lights for the inside of my house.

12/08/2007 04:41 PM

by Guilford Connecticut Real Estate Agent, Sandra Cummings (William Raveis Real Estate)

There are companies coming out with all kinds of neat solar stuff! We have the solar exterior lights at our house, and they cost literally zero to run! They were less expensive than the wired ones, and free to install!

12/08/2007 04:51 PM

by Erin Attardi, Realtor - Sacramento, CA (Lyon Real Estate)

We've tried these in the past and ended up returning them because they couldn't shine bright enough...

12/08/2007 04:53 PM

by Chris Pollinger (Mastery Coaching)

Great idea... We have a LOT of dark winter night and these would be great.

12/08/2007 05:16 PM

by Fairbanks Ak Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton (Jesse & Kathy Clifton, REALTORS 907-699-6024)

I am going to check this out. I have solar lights in my landscaping and around my walks. I also have solar address sign which I love - off to do some research! Thanks for posting!

12/08/2007 05:22 PM

by Jo Soss | Bremerton WA Real Estate (Skyline Properties, Inc.)

Jason - $450 was a bit excessive last year!

Sandra - I could, by dad calls me son because I'm so bright - ROFL

Erin - We had them on our walk way, but never thought about them for Christmas.

Chris - Are are bright and we love them, by 5am they are a little dim as the battery dies, but that is fine.

Jesse or Kathy - You go six months without sun, good luck on charging the dang thing - lol

Jo - It was so easy to set up and didn't have to look for a plug.

12/08/2007 08:03 PM

by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Your Washington Co. Real Estate Expert) (Kastings & Associates)

Todd - The ones I've seen aren't very bright---they're smart, just not very bright LOL. Have you found any that shine as brightly as the conventional ones?

12/08/2007 11:12 PM

by Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos| Laguna Real Estate|Marlene Bridges (Sherman Smith & Associates)

Marlene - Not as bright, but I've used them to decorate and enhance the front yard. Can't be seen from space anymore, but either can my electric bill!

12/08/2007 11:19 PM

by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Your Washington Co. Real Estate Expert) (Kastings & Associates)

I like this idea.....didn't know they made Solar Christmas lights, thanks Todd.

12/09/2007 01:37 AM

by Kathy McGraw ~ Calif Broker (CELLing Realty)

Kathy - Either did I until we stumbled accross it on the internet.

12/09/2007 10:06 AM

by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Your Washington Co. Real Estate Expert) (Kastings & Associates)

Great idea, Todd. I hate paying the power company any more than I have to!

12/09/2007 04:13 PM

by George Paukert

Cool idea. Now if I could get somebody to come put them up in this frigid weather we're having! (Without having to pay them $450!!)

Ken Tharp, Iowa Equity Exchange

12/09/2007 04:39 PM

by Ken Tharp - Section 1031 Exchanges, Iowa/U.S. (Iowa Equity Exchange)

George - So do I!!!

Ken - I call those people kids - ROFL

12/11/2007 02:12 PM

by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Your Washington Co. Real Estate Expert) (Kastings & Associates)

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