BOSTON — As homes and neighborhoods across Massachusetts light up for the holidays, Eversource is sharing simple ways customers can create a festive atmosphere while managing energy use, saving money and staying safe throughout the season.
"From holiday lights and family gatherings to extra time spent cooking, this is a busy and joyful time of year," said Eversource Energy Efficiency Manager Bill Stack. "We want our customers to enjoy every bit of it without worrying about higher energy use or safety risks. A few easy steps—like using LEDs, setting timers and being mindful of how and when appliances are used—can help reduce energy usage, make bills more manageable and keep celebrations safe."
Customers can reduce energy use by switching from older incandescent holiday lights to LED decorations, which use up to 90 percent less energy, last significantly longer, stay cooler and reduce the risk of fire. Using programmable timers ensures lights aren’t left on all night, while advanced power strips can eliminate standby energy loss, particularly helpful for inflatables, some of which can add up to $12 per month to an energy bill.
Safety is an equally important part of holiday decorating. Eversource reminds customers to inspect all lights and extension cords before use and to discard any with cracked sockets, frayed wires or loose connections. When decorating outdoors, customers should always look up and stay far away from power lines, never raise ladders or lift objects near overhead wires, and ensure that any lights used outside are clearly labeled for outdoor use. Extension cords should never be placed under rugs or tightly coiled, as they can overheat, and outdoor decorations should always be plugged into GFCI outlets with cords kept off the ground and away from moisture.
Hosting and cooking for the holidays can also increase energy use, but small changes can help. Lowering the thermostat before guests arrive can make homes more comfortable when combined with body heat and oven warmth. Customers can save even more by waiting until the dishwasher is full before running it, air-drying dishes when possible, covering pots and pans while cooking, and choosing smaller appliances like toaster or convection ovens, which use significantly less energy than a full-size oven.
More holiday decorating, energy efficiency and electrical safety tips are available here.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: This Luxury Home Has Plenty of Amenities
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LENOX, Mass. — Are you looking for a big house to enjoy your days with a big movie theater, a sauna, and more? Then this is the house for you.
Built in 2004, this seven-bedroom, and nine-bathroom home is 7,073 square feet on more than an acre. The home comes with an elevator to the lower level to access a theater, sauna, gym, wine cellar, massage room, and its very own soda fountain.
The home also has a guest house with a saltwater pool. A multi-car garage greets you with heated floors.
The this home is listed for $4,950,000 and is located in the 125-acre, gated Pinecroft compound.
We spoke to Leslie Chesloff, the listing agent with William Pitt Sotheby's.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Chesloff: This gated Berkshire stone estate truly redefines luxury living in the Berkshires. What sets it apart is the rare combination of resort-style amenities and complete privacy. The property offers Canyon Ranch-level wellness living with a full spa experience at home — including a sauna, massage room, and gym — plus an eight-seat hi-def theater with wine cellar for entertaining. The heated, gunite saltwater pool and spa are complemented by a fully equipped pool house with a guest suite and complete kitchen, perfect for extended family or guests.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
The moment you step inside, you're struck by the quality and craftsmanship — those 300-year-old reclaimed timber floors set an immediate tone of authenticity and warmth. The scale is impressive but never overwhelming; this is a home designed for gracious living, not just show. The natural light, cathedral ceilings, and thoughtful flow between spaces create an inviting atmosphere that balances grandeur with genuine comfort.
How would you describe the feel or atmosphere of this home?
This home feels like a private wellness retreat meets sophisticated family estate. There's a serene, spa-like quality throughout — enhanced by features like the sauna, steam shower, and massage room — but it never feels clinical or cold. The Berkshire stone exterior and reclaimed timber floors ground the home in a sense of place and permanence. It's designed for people who appreciate the finer things but want to actually live well — whether that's screening a film in the eight-seat theater with wine from your own cellar, hosting poolside gatherings, or simply unwinding in your own spa sanctuary.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
This is perfect for the discerning buyer who values wellness, privacy, and culture in equal measure. I envision someone who spends their days hiking or exploring the Berkshires, then comes home to unwind in the sauna or pool. They might entertain guests in the theater wine room, host multi-generational gatherings with family staying in the pool house guest suite (which has a full kitchen), and appreciate being minutes from Tanglewood, world-class dining, and Berkshire arts.
This could be an executive looking for a primary residence with work-from-home flexibility (there's an office/bedroom suite), a wellness-focused family, or empty nesters who want to host adult children and grandchildren in style and comfort.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Picture Saturday morning: you're sipping coffee on the terrace overlooking your heated saltwater pool, planning a day at Tanglewood. Your guests are making breakfast in the pool house kitchen — they have their own private retreat but are steps away when you're ready to gather. Evening arrives, and you screen a favorite film in your eight-seat theater, selecting a perfect bottle from your wine cellar. This isn't just a home; it's a lifestyle that brings resort-level wellness, entertainment, and hospitality to your doorstep — all within a secure, maintenance-free compound where nature meets luxury.
Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?
Absolutely. The home includes an elevator for multilevel accessibility, which is both practical and forward-thinking. The lower level is exceptionally well-conceived — a true entertainment and wellness wing featuring the eight-seat hi-def theater, wine cellar, sauna, gym, massage room, and even a charming soda fountain. The gourmet kitchen has been recently updated, customized wet bar, while outdoor living is elevated with the heated gunite saltwater pool/spa, firepit, and that incredible pool house with guest suite and full kitchen. Also, new HVAC system and heated driveway.
Thoughtful details like cedar closets, steam showers, central vacuum, and backup generator show this home was built to the highest standards.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
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