The low winter sun streamed through the south-facing windows of Santa’s secret southern retreat. It fairly glowed with warmth and light on that frosty afternoon. The kindly old elf had once again gathered his top helpers in this snug retreat in northern Wisconsin to begin preplanning for the 2026 holiday season.
But his typically jolly expression was nowhere to be found. Instead, a worried look of concern greeted the elves as they silently seated themselves. “Have you seen this?” he asked while passing around a report. “Home energy costs across the country are jumping 9 – 12% year after year. An estimated 6 million households have utility debt. Folks simply can’t keep up with ever-increasing energy costs. Families are having to make heart-wrenching choices about where to skimp when trying to feed and shelter their loved ones. The flurry of new data centers popping are just making it worse.
“How can families have a jolly holiday when they’re struggling to keep warm? If our elfin magic was powerful enough, I’d use it to realign every suitable structure to face south like this one, so folks could bask in the free warmth we’re enjoying. We’d, of course, add the appropriate roofline overhang to block that summer heat. Alas, our magic is limited. We’ve got the toy operation for children down pat, but what can we do for these struggling families?” Santa wondered.
Iva Plann leaped up. “No problem! We’ve got this! Let’s make a list of gifts we CAN give to cut energy consumption and conserve heat in winter and coolness in the summer.” Several hands shot up.
“More insulation and weather stripping,” shouted Snuggle Inn, “that’ll reduce heating and cooling costs and make homes more comfortable.
“LED bulbs. They use 75% less electricity and last years longer than incandescent bulbs,” Will Brightenupp chimed in.
“Solar panels for all suitably sited homes,” added Sonny Wonn. “Who can’t use free energy curtesy of Mr. Sun?”
“Home battery / rooftop solar combos are becoming increasingly affordable,” offered Newt Techguy. “Communities with homes so-equipped can become a ‘virtual power plant’ that the utility company can draw from during peak-usage periods. Crediting customers for their excess power is far less expensive than building costly new powerplants.”
“Ho Ho Ho,” Santa roared. “Every home generating, conserving and sharing the sun’s free energy - welcome gifts right here where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
But his typically jolly expression was nowhere to be found. Instead, a worried look of concern greeted the elves as they silently seated themselves. “Have you seen this?” he asked while passing around a report. “Home energy costs across the country are jumping 9 – 12% year after year. An estimated 6 million households have utility debt. Folks simply can’t keep up with ever-increasing energy costs. Families are having to make heart-wrenching choices about where to skimp when trying to feed and shelter their loved ones. The flurry of new data centers popping are just making it worse.
“How can families have a jolly holiday when they’re struggling to keep warm? If our elfin magic was powerful enough, I’d use it to realign every suitable structure to face south like this one, so folks could bask in the free warmth we’re enjoying. We’d, of course, add the appropriate roofline overhang to block that summer heat. Alas, our magic is limited. We’ve got the toy operation for children down pat, but what can we do for these struggling families?” Santa wondered.
Iva Plann leaped up. “No problem! We’ve got this! Let’s make a list of gifts we CAN give to cut energy consumption and conserve heat in winter and coolness in the summer.” Several hands shot up.
“More insulation and weather stripping,” shouted Snuggle Inn, “that’ll reduce heating and cooling costs and make homes more comfortable.
“LED bulbs. They use 75% less electricity and last years longer than incandescent bulbs,” Will Brightenupp chimed in.
“Solar panels for all suitably sited homes,” added Sonny Wonn. “Who can’t use free energy curtesy of Mr. Sun?”
“Home battery / rooftop solar combos are becoming increasingly affordable,” offered Newt Techguy. “Communities with homes so-equipped can become a ‘virtual power plant’ that the utility company can draw from during peak-usage periods. Crediting customers for their excess power is far less expensive than building costly new powerplants.”
“Ho Ho Ho,” Santa roared. “Every home generating, conserving and sharing the sun’s free energy - welcome gifts right here where we’re all forever… Earthbound.”
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