Enter Patch's “Deck the House” Contest For a Chance to Win $100,000
Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our "Deck the House" contest and you could win $100,000 for your local school district and $500 to pay your electric bills!
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We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America — the best “decked” house in the country — the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s.
If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page between Nov. 26 to Dec. 16 to deckthehouse.patch.com/contest/herndon.
Only residents of Patch towns are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from them, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local school district.
So, what are you waiting for? Now’s the time to get your holiday decorations out of the attic and “deck” your house.
After all, ‘tis the season.......
James
11:05 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Dominion Power supports this contest!
Leslie Perales Loges
6:20 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
I'm sure Dominion supports December and holiday lights in general. :)
Dave Webster
6:36 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
They support the holiday lights until you ask for an extension of time to pay for your December electric bill. The Christmas spirit evaporates in the cold winds of January at Dominion.
James
2:32 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012
I purchased a bunch of timers, it helps keep the bills down...plus you do not have to worry about the tree lights being on when you go to bed.
Leslie Perales Loges
5:49 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I love timers! They're so handy when it comes to holiday lights. :)
Ann H Csonka
11:34 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
OUTSMART DOMINION. Convert to LED holiday (and everyday) lighting. LED lights use 85-90% less energy and last 8 to 10 times longer than incandescent lights. They cost more, but long life makes up for that initial cost.
(1) Don't buy the cheapest brand LEDs or get them on EBay. You get what you pay for. For example, at Home Depot, you get greater value by purchasing the EcoSmart line of lights.
(2) Compare attributes and costs at a site such as http://eartheasy.com/live_energyeff_lighting.htm or http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/lightbulbs/buying-guide.htm
(3) Go SOLAR. Get solar-powered holiday lights
(4) Recycle incandescent Christmas lights at the Herndon Mom’s Organic Market or other Mom’s location, or directly to HolidayLEDs.com to get a good discount on new LEDs.
Home Depot had a two-week recycling opportunity in Nov. this year.
CONTACT your town/city/county and Dominion to suggest that they participate in an incandescent recycling program as many localities and power companies do.
Obviously timers, as suggested by James, have many advantages and last for many years.
Leslie Perales Loges
5:49 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Very good points Ann! Our Christmas lights on our patio are LED. :)
James
6:24 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Great points Ann, I am slowly converting things to LED as I go along. Most recent being an LED television.
With the timers, definitely don't buy the low end cheapest ones. In all, they are still pretty economical for a quality one.