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Q: Over the course of the year, my kids have asked for all kinds of inflatable lawn displays for holidays. You know, like a big Santa that stays inflated by having air blowing into it. I've always said no, because I assume they'd hike up my electric bill. Before the begging starts for Halloween monsters, I'd like to know how much these things really will cost to keep inflated. (Posted Aug. 15, 2008)

A: Decorations like these use between 90 and 200 watts. If you had, say, a six-foot Santa that was inflated and lit but had no other features, it would be in the 120-watt range. If you keep it on, around the clock, for three months of the year, it will add about $34 to your electric costs for the season. You can reduce that cost somewhat by putting Santa on a timer that will cut his power overnight and then power him up again when you want him to greet/distract morning commuters. Yes, your Santa will deflate when he's off, but nobody will know in the dark.

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