The context of energy expenditure at Christmas
With the arrival of December, the festive atmosphere spreads to every Italian home, but alongside the joy of the celebrations, there is also the fear of extra expenses, in particular those related to electricity and gas bills. During the winter months, energy consumption tends to increase, making this period particularly expensive for many families
.
However, according to the Switcho Observatory, the situation may not be as alarming as you might think.
In fact, bills may be less heavy than in previous years, thanks to a price stabilization that began to appear in mid-2023. The data indicate that the wholesale prices of electricity and natural gas have fallen significantly, leading to a possible reduction in expenses for Italian families
.
Attention to consumption: how to avoid waste
Despite the good news about prices, it is essential not to let your guard down about consumption. During the holidays, many families tend to neglect attention to energy consumption, risking seeing their bills rise. An emblematic example is the use of Christmas lights: turning on some LED chains may seem like a negligible cost, but if you are not careful, the expense can
increase considerably.
For example, turning on three LED chains for eight hours a day from December 8 to January 6 costs around 2 euros. However, if you decide to increase the decorations and lighting, the cost can go up to 12 euros. Therefore, it is advisable to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, but with a careful eye on consumption, by adopting more efficient lighting solutions
.
Strategies for a sustainable and affordable Christmas
During the Christmas period, the use of household appliances tends to increase, which can lead to an increase in energy expenditure. However, the economic impact varies considerably depending on the attention paid to consumption. A family that adopts responsible behavior may face an extra cost of about 8.10 euros, while a less attentive family may find themselves paying up to 25.60
euros more.
It is clear that small measures can help to contain expenses related to Christmas, also reducing the environmental impact. Adopting strategies to limit energy expenditure is essential, but it is equally important to choose an advantageous electricity and gas rate. In fact, the differences between those who have a competitive energy offer and those who do not pay attention can reach 15 euros more in the bill, only for expenses related to holidays
.
