Homeowners ditch Xmas lights as energy cap increases

A huge energy cap increase endured by the nation’s homeowners is likely to dampen the Christmas spirit this year. The majority of homeowners plan to ditch their Christmas lights displays, while over a fifth will refrain from placing fairy lights on their tree.

Our survey discovered that 89% of homeowners like to decorate their homes during the festive season, with 88% putting up a Christmas tree. Shockingly, almost a third of them go the entire season with Christmas lights on the exterior of their homes. Unfortunately due to the energy cap, this will likely not be happening this year.

A whopping energy cap jump of 96%

In the last year, the energy cap increased to £2,5000, a jump of 96% or £1,223. As a result, many households are in fact struggling with the increased cost of running their homes.

A ban on Christmas lights

While it may feel a lot like Christmas, it certainly won’t look like it this year. In an attempt to curb the high cost of their energy bills, 66% of those who would usually put up festive lights on the exterior of their home will likely refrain from doing so this year.

In addition, over a fifth (22%) of those surveyed stated that they will withhold putting any fairy lights on their Christmas tree, again due to the higher cost of energy bills.

Christmas lights on curfew

For those planning to put up Christmas lights, almost half (49%) of those surveyed said they’d reduce the amount of time they’ll leave them on compared to the previous year.

‘Rising energy price cap behind cost of living crisis’ GetAgent CEO Colby Short

“The rising energy price cap has been one of the driving factors behind the cost of living crisis and there will be many households who will be refraining from turning their heating on this Christmas, let alone putting up Christmas lights.

At the same time, the increasing cost of mortgage payments has stretched our household finances even further and with the Bank of England likely to increase them yet again this December, many homeowners will be expecting a further hike to their monthly mortgage repayments.

Of course, there are plenty of other ways to spread some Christmas cheer that don’t require an energy sapping lights display, but for those who simply can’t celebrate without the twinkle of fairy lights, there are also some alternatives they could opt for.

We certainly don’t recommend candles anywhere near your Christmas tree itself, but they can be a very cost effective option elsewhere around the home. There are also plenty of energy saving Christmas lights available and opting for those with LED bulbs will help reduce energy consumption.

But you can also find a wealth of battery operated alternatives that could help keep costs down without forsaking the festive feel. Whether you opt for fairy lights, fake candles, battery lit tree decorations or even external displays, battery powered items can help you keep a handle on your energy bills, while also getting into the Christmas spirit.”

Data and methodology

Will you put up Christmas lights for a reduced amount of time compared to the previous years?

Will you refrain from putting fairy lights on your Christmas tree this year?

Will you refrain from putting Christmas lights on the exterior of your home this year?