LED Christmas Lights and Other Ideas for More Energy Efficient Holiday Lighting
The holidays are fast approaching, and you might be thinking about Christmas light installation. Have you ever wondered how much you spend on powering those lights all season long?
According to some estimates, a single 25-light strand of incandescent Christmas lights costs about $16 to run per season. That’s assuming you run your lights for 45 days and 12 hours per day. Now, let’s assume you need 12 strands for your home’s exterior, the tree, and decorations around the house.
That’s nearly $200 per season. In other words, the costs of holiday lighting add up quick. That’s why more and more homeowners are looking for energy efficient Christmas lighting ideas.
Want a few tips? We’ve highlighted some of the best green Christmas lighting strategies that can save you big. From replacing old incandescent lights, to putting your lights on autopilot, these strategies can help you cut your lighting costs by nearly 80 percent or more.
1. LED Christmas Lights
LED Christmas lights cost a fraction of traditional those incandescent bulbs to run for the season. In fact, they’re 80 to 85 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs. That’s why installing LED Christmas lights is one of the top energy-saving strategies. A strand of 25 LED lights costs just .21 cents per season to run.
That means you can add more lights, while still saving money. LED lights also tend to shine brighter, because they do not burn a filament. And they’re much more durable. LED Christmas lights tend to last much longer than older, bulb-style light strands. In other words, LEDs make a great long-term investment that you can use season after season.
2. Use X-Mas Light Timers
Most homeowners run their Christmas light displays for 10-12 hours per day. That’s a lot of run time. And sometimes, it’s a challenge to remember to shut them off at night. Lighting timers help solve this problem fairly quick.
Timers are relatively affordable, with basic options costing just about $10-$25, and this investment can pay for itself in a single holiday season. Timers plug into the electrical outlet, and the lights are plugged into the timer.
This can help you save in a few ways. For one, timers help cut costs by preventing overages. Say you’ll be away for the evening. Without a timer, you’d have to turn your lights on earlier and run them longer. A timer solves that problem. Additionally, a timer allows you to set a schedule and have your lights automatically turn on/off at a predetermined time. You just set it, and forget it. By scheduling your lights, you can shave time off the turn-on and turn-off times to save money over the entire season.
3.Extension Cords
You might not be able to see extension cords at night, but during the day, extensions can be unsightly. That’s why a lot of homeowners avoid using them to connect lights to electrical outlets. Instead, they use additional strands of lights to get to an electrical outlet. And although this looks better, it does make your lighting display less efficient, especially if you’re using incandescent lights.
Extension cords offer an alternative. When installed properly used, extension cords are a great solution for using fewer lights. The key is using the right routing. Extension cords can be clipped inconspicuously into eaves and soffits, helping to keep your home looking great day or night. And they can instantly help you use fewer light stands to decorate your home.
Why Consider Professional Christmas Light Installation
Another idea for energy-efficient holiday lighting: Hire the pros. Christmas light installation companies can help you plan your display for maximum visual effect, while making it more energy efficient than ever.
How? Professional installers have expertise in the latest LED lighting systems, timers and other energy efficient holiday lighting options. Plus, professional installers can also solve the extension cord problem, by helping you hide extensions to power your lights.
Not to mention, you don’t have to stress about getting up on the roof to install them yourself or dealing with cold winter temperatures. That alone might be worth the professional installation help.
Looking for holiday light installation services in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area?
Clean and Clear Lighting is your source. We provide complete holiday lighting installation for homeowners throughout the season. Call us today to learn more and get your home looking great!

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