The pleasure of a Christmas with lights in the house and lights on the street costs money. The Italian section of the Environmental Medicine Society studied the phenomenon of light chains in the period from 8 December to Epiphany. He calculated that all public and private decorations can produce up to 20 tons of CO2. The news causes discussion because hardly anyone thinks of a Christmas without lights - in peaceful countries. Indeed the lights as well as the religious sentiment, the star that illuminates the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, indicate hope and serenity among people. After the years of the pandemic everywhere you want to go back to normal. Only that 2022 has confronted us with the reality of the energy crisis, whereby we need to consume less. Many mayors have given up on decorations, while others have maintained the tradition that attracts tourism and commercial activities.
Christmas with low consumption lights
But Christmas is the most evocative party of the year. The illuminations remain on for several hours a day, which determines an iIncrease in energy consumption, about 30% more than the rest of the year. The health and environment organization calculates an extra 1.600 Megawatts every day, which up to Epiphany makes 46.400 Megawatts. There is therefore more CO2 in the atmosphere which weighs on the health of Italians. "Christmas and our habits during the holidays - the doctors explain - have an important impact on the environment, in terms of greater pollution, but also on the bill". How to reconcile, at this point, the rite of celebration with savings? Using LED lights. They are state-of-the-art, mass-consumption lamps that do not use old filaments but technologies such as semiconductors. They are purchased on the market and also generate savings. Here's what it says Alexander Miani, President of Sima Italia :” An old-generation string of lights kept on for several hours a day affects up to 15 euros per family on the December bill. If 3 of them are used in the house between interiors and balconies, the extra expense can reach 50 euros. Costs and environmental impact are significantly reduced if LED lights are used, the incidence of which on bills is a few euro cents a day.”
Lighting up the holidays costs 30 million euros
According to other estimates (Selectra ) the Italian illuminated Christmas will cost a total of 30 million euros. On the other hand, consumer associations have protested the average increases of 25% in light chains, even LED wires and other forms of lighting. In the years of the pandemic, business had not gone well and the commercial network with imports from China, mainly, had been affected. This year traders are selling everything, even if many consumers, in order not to suffer the increases, have used what they already had/ So not last generation lamps. Despite increases or reuse of old light series, it is clear that there is no crusade against Christmas lights and decorations. Attention to the general state of energy poverty and high bills has substantially produced calls to contain consumption. For example, you can buy timers that regulate the switching on or, in the case of cities, turn off the lights at a programmed time of night. Only advice given the circumstances. We'll live Christmas anyway.
