Who doesn’t love the festive nature of the holidays in the Northwest? With the holidays comes the pungent scent of fresh evergreen mixing with the spicy sweetness of mulled cider and the lights framing houses and walkways — and increasing utility bills.

This year, celebrate the holiday season by giving more than just presents: Consider the gift of conservation. Share with your family and friends how much money they can save by being more energy-efficient this holiday season. Pass along the following ideas that will have them checking their energy bills — maybe even checking them twice.

Deck the halls with energy-saving lights
According to a recent U.S. Department of Energy report, if all conventional Christmas lights in the United States were replaced with light-emitting diode (LED) lights, the annual energy savings would total 2 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). That’s enough to power nearly 200,000 homes for an entire year.

Another study, conducted by the Neighborhood Network Research Center in New York, compared the costs of lighting one Christmas tree for 10 hours a day for 30 days using different lights. LEDs far outperformed the others, with a cost of only 72 cents — a significant margin of savings from regular mini-lights at $4.32, and a far cry from traditional outdoor bulbs at $36.

Burn the midnight CFLs
Electric lighting comprises roughly 25 percent of the average home’s energy costs. The electricity used over the lifetime of a single incandescent bulb can cost as much as 10 times the original purchase price of the bulb itself. Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are an excellent energy-efficient lighting alternative and have become much more affordable and available in recent years. 

CFLs are smaller versions of full-sized fluorescents. The compact design allows them to be used in place of incandescent light bulbs. They screw into standard sockets, give off light that looks just like standard incandescent bulbs and can be applied nearly anywhere incandescents are used, including recessed fixtures, table lamps, ceiling fixtures and porch lights. New technology has also made the light warmer and softer; it is no longer akin to the harsh fluorescent bulbs of yester year.

Although more expensive to purchase initially, the returns are higher. CFLs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use 50 to 80 percent less energy. They are also more environmentally friendly. Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half-ton of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

Say it with "green tags"
Most traditional power generation relies on burning fossil fuel. Every time conventional power is replaced with wind, solar or other renewable resources, the electricity pool becomes a little less polluting. That’s a gift we all can enjoy.

Green tags are non-government subsidies that encourage the purchase and generation of electricity from renewable energy sources. Renewable energy is still more expensive than traditional power, so green tags help offset the price of the alternative power.  

How does it work? A renewable energy provider (such as a wind farm) is credited with one green tag for every 1,000 kWh of electricity it produces. A certifying agency gives each green tag a unique identification number to make sure it doesn't get double-counted. The green energy is then fed into the electrical grid and the accompanying green tag can then be sold on the open market.

Many states have green tags or similar renewable energy credit programs. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) renewable energy Web site has a handy table of the utilities, programs and costs. So where can you buy green tags? Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) is good source. BEF sells certified green tags for renewable providers with the latest technologies on the market and tells you the percentage of wind, solar and other resources that makes up your tag.

Try a hybrid-electric or biodiesel
Certainly a flying reindeer-powered sleigh would be an excellent alternative to gas-guzzling ground transportation. But since that’s not a viable choice, consider a hybrid-electric or biodiesel vehicle.

Hybrid options have never been better. High fuel prices have driven consumer demand for energy-efficient cars up, and automakers are responding. The two top-rated hybrid-electrics endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DOE are the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid. Both offer excellent fuel economy, with the Prius boasting 60 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 51 mpg on the highway.

Looking for an SUV? The Ford Escape Hybrid saves roughly $900 per year in gasoline costs over traditional SUVs, according to Consumer Reports. Hybrids also emit less pollution. For each gallon of gasoline not burned, 19 pounds of carbon dioxide are prevented from entering the atmosphere.

Holiday season is also the biggest for sales in prepaid gasoline cards. According to National Petroleum News, the number of prepaid gasoline cards purchased during the 2005 holiday season was more than triple the number purchased in 2004. Why not taking the idea one step further and find out the best places to buy biodiesel fuel? Biodieselnow.com is an excellent resource.

Invest in renewable energy stock
Remember the Anglo-Saxon tradition that if you’re naughty, you might find coal in your stocking at Christmas? This year, give it a modern, eco-friendly twist: if you are good, you just might get alternative energy in your stock portfolio!

Alternative energies are beginning to mature, and several of the innovative companies in the space have gone public. Following are a handful of Northwest Companies offering innovative alternative energy products.

Ballard Power Systems (Nasdaq: BLDP; TSX: BLD), Burnaby, British Columbia, is recognized as a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of zero-emission proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

Carmanah Technologies Corporation (OTCPK: CMHXF), British Columbia, is a leading integrator of renewable and energy-efficient technology solutions. The company is currently focused on solar-powered LED lighting, solar power systems and LED illuminated signage.

 

Itron Inc. (Nasdaq: ITRI), Liberty Lake, Wash., provides integration hardware, software and services for the measurement, collection, management and forecasting of data for electric, gas and water utilities worldwide. (Jeff Morris is a shareholder in Itron Inc.)

 

Sustainable Energy Technologies Ltd. (CDNX: STG.V), Calgary, Alberta, develops, manufactures and markets advanced power inverters for the renewable energy industry. Power inverters help integrate solar, wind power, fuel cells and energy storage systems into the electrical grid.

 

US Geothermal (OTCBB: UGTH; TSX: GTH.V), Raft River, Idaho, is developing geothermal energy power plants in the Raft River area of Idaho.

 

Xantrex, (TSX: XTX), Burnaby, British Columbia, develops, manufactures and markets advanced power electronic products. Xantrex products convert raw electrical power from any central, distributed or backup power source into high-quality power required by electronic and electrical equipment.

Do-it-yourself “power” tools

Even your neighborhood home improvement store can be a great place to find energy saving products and ideas. Lowe’s (NYSE: LOW), for example, has a how-to library on its Web site, including a downloadable Energy Guide of tips and products for making a home more energy efficient.

When you’re planning your holiday giving this year, think outside the box (and ribbon). A little conservation can go a long way to saving money for the things you really want this year, plus finding just the right gift for that person who has everything. You could go with that traditional sweater for warmth — or really heat things up with alternative energy purchases. In this case, it really is the thought that counts.