Operation savings, reduce your energy bill this Christmas 

Christmas is time of excesses in all senses. We buy a lot and use more electricity and water than usual. We have to be aware of the consequences some of our actions have on the environment and also on our wallets. Join us for a sustainable Christmas by following these simple tips.

LED LIGHTS...

At this time of year we fill the house with lights and colour which bring warmth to our home. But do we keep them on for too many hours? The bulbs blow very quickly and they use a lot of energy.
To save in this area you can use LED bulbs, which last much longer and are more efficient, because they consume less energy than conventional bulbs. Also, as they do not give off heat, they are safer if you have children at home because they reduce the risk of fire.
Although, really, the best way to save is to replace Christmas lights with decorations which do not use energy.

FATHER CHRISTMAS OR THE REYES MAGOS?

Presents are the most exciting part of Christmas for children (and grown-ups too). But, are we aware of the environmental impact of what we buy?
The majority of children’s toys need batteries, one of the most polluting objects there are. Replacing conventional batteries with alkaline or rechargeable ones can contribute to reduce the environmental impact.
But, without a doubt, the best option is to prefer less polluting toys, such as wooden or cardboard toys.

HEATING AND WATER

Family reunions at home mean an increase in electricity and water usage. To reduce the impact of these reunions, you can turn down the heating a few degrees. When there are more people than usual, you will not need such a high ambient temperature.
Also, did you know that the dishwasher consumes less water than washing up by hand? Of course, remember to put it on when it is full and at a temperature of less than 55ºC so that it does not consume much electricity.

WHERE DO I RECYCLE?

In the same way that Christmas is characterised by consumerism, it is also by the quantity of waste we produce. But do we know how to recycle?
Obviously, wrapping paper and cardboard go in the blue container and plastic in the yellow, but what should you do with toys your children don’t use any more? A good option is to donate them to a charity so they give them to underprivileged children, but if they are damaged and must be thrown away, the best thing is to take them to the nearest Punto Limpio  (Ecoparque).

NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL TREE

Contrary to popular belief, artificial trees are less ecological than natural ones, precisely because they are made of plastic. Even so, they have the advantage that if you care for them well, you can reuse them for many years, and for this reason they are usually chosen in majority.
In any case, some people still prefer natural trees. If you are one of them, keep in mind that it is always better to buy it in a nursery than directly cutting it down from the mountain. Also, you must make sure you have somewhere to transplant it when Christmas finishes or know where you can take it to keep it.