Wasting too much energy with Christmas lights?

[thistle]

I just wondered what you people out there thought about this.
Last night my sons went out to walk the dog and I made sure that
they went to see a house which has an amazing amount of lights,
illuminations etc. outside their house -it is a sight to see, certainly
where i come from.
However, my teenage son lately has been grumbling about how
much energy is wasted with outside lights, Xmas illuminations, lights
and always switches our tree lights off after a couple of hours.

I guess because I will not be around in 50 or 60 years I don't really
think about it, but he is right and when he is older oil will be scarce.

Shouldn't people be doing more about conserving energy now?
Time that people really opened their eyes up. Far too much electricity
is wasted in big cities, I can only judge by what I see here in Japan.

[Asshat]

Sure, consider the natural resources to run those extra lights! We have to buy the oil to fire the turbines from terrorists which funds them to be able to kill us just so the kiddies can see the Santa Land.

Or the pollution they cause, or the dollars spent on electricity while poor people freeze on the streets with no food in their bellys.

I think your son was correct and it is good to hear that a young man who represents the future of our planet can see this. :)

[thistle]

How about that for an intelligent post:ohmy::eek:

[socalheart]

I don't think so, because Christmas is only once a year for a month for most people. Not everyone has a fancy light display, as it is expensive (not including base housing) for most people. I enjoy Christmas lights displays. I wish you people who know where they are would tell me... please! Anyhow, I'd do it for December, if it didn't cost so much and take up so much time to put up and take down. I'm a bit lazy at the whole celebrating thing. heh.

On the other side of your thing, I don't know what oil has to do with electricity apart from generator use. I can only hope that our descendants will be able to harness hydroelectricity from the oceans and wind generators for themselves. Heck... in two hundred years, modern civilization could be back to the horse and carriage. :shrug:

[P_chan]

All my lights are LED lights. They use less electricity!

[Hollarey]

Where was this house you speak of?? I love having lights up and yes I do it mostly for the kids...BUT...I do not leave them on all night. I turn them on as soon as the sun goes down and I unplug them right before I go to bed. Sometimes they are only on for 2 hours. The only night I leave them on all night is Christmas Eve.

However, I have seen places off base putting up lights. There is a big tower that is covered in lights and is left on all night. Then you have the botanical gardens having their light attraction. I see the Christmas lights everywhere off base. For electricity to be so expensive here, you would think they wouldnt decorate like we do. I know most of us take advantage of it on base so that is why most will go buck wild with the lights but regardless, you are right, how much longer are we going to be able to do this?

[Hollarey]

All my lights are LED lights. They use less electricity!


Come to think of it, mine our too but never paid attention.

YOu remember those huge ones from the good ole days. My parents still have those. Now, the bulbs are so tiny they are the size of a pencil eraser.

[ryukyuboi]

I believe energy conservation is important and agree with your son.

When the GOJ was paying 100% for electricity on base, the US military did not actively encourgae conservation. However, when the US government had to pay the bill, energy conservation was encouraged. As long as someone else was paying the bill, conservation didn't seem to matter. Hmmm.

A number of years ago, the annual cost of electricity on Kadena AFB alone was over $20 million. I suspect the cost today is even higher.

Perhaps restricting the number of hours Christmas display lights were able to be turned on would go along way in supporting energy conservation and saving money.

[thistle]

The house I speak of is in Oyama, Ginowan, and way off the main drag at that. It is rare to see a nicely
decorated house around those parts.
I know from past experience that in Okinawa city, near the Toys R'Us area there are many nicely decorated houses. We once found quite a few beautifull illuminated decorated houses when I got lost!

In Scotland we do not decorate our house outside with illuminations, only decorate in the inside, so it was amazing for me to see when I came here.

[P_chan]

Perhaps restricting the number of hours Christmas display lights were able to be turned on would go along way in supporting energy conservation and saving money.

If I remember correctly, on base you cannot have your outside christmas lights on past a certain hour of the night.

[IndyGal]

Perhaps restricting the number of hours Christmas display lights were able to be turned on would go along way in supporting energy conservation and saving money.

On base they do have restrictions. Lights are supposed to be turned off by 10 P.M. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be enforced as I have seen several people in my neighborhood leave theirs on until morning and some throughout the day!

I have loved Christmas light displays since I was very young. It was tradition for my family to drive around to see them. I put them up for my own children.

We try to conserve all year through with our lights, water, air conditioning etc. despite the fact we live on base. I feel it is yet another important thing to teach our children and do our part for the future.

[Go-Shay]

I agree with your son, we should limit the amount of electricity that we use during the holiday season while still enjoying the illuminations. I also think you could save allot of electricity during the summer by not using the AC 24/7 as I have witnessed both on and off base

[Fonze]

Its either leaving the AC 24/7 or paying for mold to be removwed plus the extra pay for 7 MLC's to change a door or drywall or even carpets. I think it;s cheaper in the long haul.


On the lights I dont think there should be restrictions on how many lights or stuff you want to put up, but there should be time enforcements.

[okisteve]

True - this past summer I decided I didn't want to have to throw away clothes and leather stuff from white mold as in the past, so we left the a/c in the bedroom on "dry" at 27C all summer. It's a waste, but not that much if you don"t need to keep the room cold also.

Down this way, the summer isn't the time for black mold - that comes in the rainy season before the summer. Summer months we keep most windows open when we're out and it doesn't get moldy.

[ja_Patriot]

I just wondered what you people out there thought about this.
Last night my sons went out to walk the dog and I made sure that
they went to see a house which has an amazing amount of lights,
illuminations etc. outside their house -it is a sight to see, certainly
where i come from.
However, my teenage son lately has been grumbling about how
much energy is wasted with outside lights, Xmas illuminations, lights
and always switches our tree lights off after a couple of hours.

I guess because I will not be around in 50 or 60 years I don't really
think about it, but he is right and when he is older oil will be scarce.

Shouldn't people be doing more about conserving energy now?
Time that people really opened their eyes up. Far too much electricity
is wasted in big cities, I can only judge by what I see here in Japan.


I'd say tell your sons to lighten up - its Christmas cheer.

Ask them to count your blessings.

You're on Okinawa. No a/c required till April or thereabouts. No heating required either, as you needed back in Scotland. Further south in Manila or Singapore, you'd be needing a/c 24/7/365.

I think I do understand where you're coming from. In Scotland as with the rest of Europe, the year-end celebration is far more subdued, i.e. a preference for white lights instead of colored Christmas lights.

Cheers! And enjoy the haggis if you make some.

[thistle]

I'd say tell your sons to lighten up - its Christmas cheer.

Cheers! And enjoy the haggis if you make some.

Thanks! But I've never 'made' haggis, only the butcher can do that.
And it's just not the same without mashed turnips and gravy.

[hankypanky]

Oh Hell, sometimes I relish the taste of sheeps stomach:barf: