LED lights are the most efficient way spread Christmas cheer
LED Christmas lights use about 70% less energy than incandescent bulbs, so your holiday display costs less to run when you choose LED strands.
Expect to pay around $1.76 to power ten 100-light LED strands for six hours daily over 35 days, while incandescent lights cost more than $10.
Automatic timers help you save on energy costs by turning your lights on at dusk and off at bedtime without you needing to remember.
Hiring a local Christmas lights installation professional ensures you get high-quality, professional-grade LED lights that reduce energy use and look great all season.
When it gets dark before dinner, you might be craving a festive display of holiday lights to brighten your evening. If so, don’t let thoughts of higher energy bills dim your holiday cheer. Keep reading to see how much it costs to run Christmas lights and get tips for making your display as efficient as possible.
No bah humbugs here, but a little planning could help you save on seasonal energy costs. The amount of energy Christmas lights use depends largely on what type of bulb you’re planning to string.
LED lights use about 70% less energy than incandescent bulbs. So if you have a box of old-school string lights you inherited from your grandparents, it might be time to replace them. (A bonus: LED lights are also less prone to breakage.) If you use a local Christmas light installation service, they’ll make sure you have high quality, professional-grade lights.
While the price of energy varies by location, it costs about 10 times more to light a tree with incandescent lights than LED ones. The approximate cost to power up ten 100-light LED strands for six hours a day for 35 days is only about $1.76. So even if you’re one to decorate the day after Thanksgiving, you won’t notice much of a difference on your energy bill.
Incandescent lights will cost more than LED bulbs to add twinkle to your evenings. Lighting ten 100-bulb strings of incandescent holiday lights for six hours per day for 35 days will cost more than $10. Incandescent bulbs also don’t burn as long as LED ones, so you’ll be purchasing replacement bulbs more often.
Here are some additional steps you can take to reduce your energy consumption.
Consider turning off your holiday light display an hour earlier each night in order to reduce your energy consumption and save money.
It’s easy to accidentally leave holiday lights on all day long. Automatic timers solve this problem. You can set them to turn on your lights just as the neighbors head out for their evening strolls and then turn them off automatically at bedtime.
There’s no energy cost to bring holiday cheer to your neighborhood when your Christmas lights are powered by the sun. Small solar panels on the end of the string charge during daylight hours and then automatically turn on your lights at dusk. And because solar lights are LED, they keep consumption to a minimum.
If some lights are not visible from the street, consider strategically using extension cords. This will allow you to put the light where it’s seen without paying to light bulbs that are hidden behind posts or under shrubs.
There are online calculators that will tally how much you’ll pay to light your Christmas lights, or you can calculate the cost yourself. You will need to check the package of the string lights for the wattage. You’ll also need to know the cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy in your area, which you can find on your electric bill (alternatively, you can use the national average, which is $0.167).
Multiply the wattage of the string lights by the number of hours per day you want the lights to be on.
Divide by 1,000 to calculate the kWh per day.
Multiply the kWh per day by the cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) found on your electric bill. This will give you the cost per day.
Multiply the cost per day by how many days your lights will be on; this will let you know how much extra you’ll pay in energy costs for the entire holiday season.
Excellent work, punctual, polite. Strongly recommended.
DURAJ PAINTING LLCCustom Paint Jobs LLC made our home feel warm and inviting. Their expertise is evident.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCVisited my home for estimate same day that I called. Painted on Saturday. Great job. Good price!
Window Depot did an amazing job on my deck. I wasnt sure what I wanted to do, but their composite decking was affordable and will last a long time. I am excited to have family over, and I am no longer embarrassed by my backyard. Jeff and the ground crew were polite, respectful, and caring for...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioExcellent experience! Left my place looking great. Friendly customer service too. Would recommend!
Awesome company. Had a jacuzzi tub taken out and replaced with huge walk in shower with partial glass enclosure. Onyx to the ceiling with a decorative border, moved plumbing and installed hand held shower, new ceiling, flooring, and paint. Replaced window with glass block. Everything was done...
Columbus Bath DesignDanny was extremely pleasant and professional and graciously scheduled an appointment for an estimate on a holiday. Communication leading up to the appointment was very good. his representative was timely and polite. Although we did not end up purchasing painting, I had a very positive...
Danny's Pro Painters LLCThere isn't much I can add that hasn't already been said about Rhino Painting. Outstanding service and communication from the first phone call through the end of the project, we could not be happier with this company. They painted our kitchen, living room, ceiling, starirwell and wood work,...
Rhino Painting & Color Consulting LLCThis company is amazing! My garage door broke this afternoon and was stuck in the open position. I couldn't leave with the door open so I called Sanford and Sons because the company was recommended by the manufacture of my garage door motor. Nancy answered the company phone and problem...
Bob arrived within an hour of my calling and was very professional and helpful. He was willing to take a look right away even though it was late in the afternoon (and in the middle of holidays). Fixed the problem. I will definitely use their service in the future. <br />
My Home Solutions LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Discover the professional Christmas light installation cost, including average prices, cost factors, and tips to save on your holiday lighting project.
How much does a Christmas decorating service cost? Turn your home into a winter wonderland this year—here are holiday decorating service prices.
If you're dreaming of rocking around your—professionally decorated—tree this season, this is how much a Christmas tree decorating service will cost you.
Determine exactly how many Christmas lights you need to make sure your home and tree sparkle through the winter. Follow this guide to learn more.
Tired of tangles? Learn how to store Christmas lights without damaging them to ensure next year’s decorating goes smoothly.
Can you put Christmas lights on the ground? Yes, but it’s essential to use the proper supplies and precautions. Find out more with this helpful guide.
