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How Much Electricity Do Christmas Lights Use?
4 minute read • Last update December 2024
The holiday season is a time to spread joy and brighten our homes. However, decorating with festive lights can lead to higher energy bills. Christmas lights, while beautiful, can add to electricity costs during an already expensive season. So, how much energy do Christmas lights use? In this quick guide, we’ll break down Christmas lights’ energy usage and share practical tips for enjoying festive lighting without straining your budget.
Calculate your holiday decor energy costs
Want to know how your holiday decorations will impact your electric bill? Enter in how many of each type of decoration, how many hours per day you keep them on, how many days you have them on, and your average price per kWh from your electricity plan to generate an estimate.
Christmas light wattage: LED vs traditional
How many watts do Christmas lights use? There’s no black-and-white answer to that because the total wattage depends on the scale of your decorative display, how many hours a day you leave lighting switched on, and the type of light bulb your holiday decorations use.
Choosing the right bulb can make a surprisingly big difference in any Christmas light’s electricity usage. Here’s a quick comparison of the primary options for your holiday lighting: incandescent lights vs. LEDS.
- How much electricity do incandescent Christmas lights use? Traditional incandescent bulbs are less efficient because they use more energy and produce excess heat. One strand of 100 incandescent mini lights uses between 40 and 90 watts, depending on the size of the bulbs. The extra heat generated also increases fire risk, especially if you use them for decorating indoors.
- How much electricity do LED Christmas lights use? LED lights consume about 70-80% less energy than incandescent bulbs. For example, typical 100-LED light strands only use 5-7 watts. LEDs are not only more energy-efficient but also cooler and longer-lasting, making them an investment that keeps both your electricity bill and replacement costs down.
As you can see, LED lights are better for both the environment and your wallet, making them a win-win for holiday cheer that’s sustainable and budget-friendly. Plus, LEDs are available in a wide variety of styles and colors, and their ability to burn brightly in both blue and warm tones makes them perfectly suited for use during the Christmas season.
Indoor vs. outdoor Christmas lighting costs
Of course, the amount of energy your Christmas lights use will depend on how many lighted trees, garlands, and yard ornaments you install, along with the number of light strings you hang. Most families have one or two trees indoors, plus front door decorations and some doorway, rooftop, or pathway lighting. Often, this means the majority of festive lighting ends up as outdoor Christmas decorations. Here are answers to some common FAQs to help you plan.
Do Christmas tree lights use a lot of electricity?
They can if you use incandescent lights, yes. Let’s say you use 100 lights for every foot of your tree. Based on the average Christmas tree height of 7-7.5 feet, that’s an extra 700-750 lights you’ll need to power.
Do outdoor Christmas lights use a lot of electricity?
Surprisingly, no. Even though you’ll likely have more lights outside than indoors, comparing outdoor Christmas decorations often results in lower electrical usage because most modern outdoor lighting sets use LEDs rather than filament bulbs.
Do rooftop and pathway Christmas lights use a lot of electricity?
LED options are more efficient and less likely to increase your holiday electric bill. However, if you invest in solar options, your energy usage could be free! But, what if the Texas winter weather isn’t sunny? No problem! Solar cells are activated by light, not heat. So, as long as there’s daylight, you can collect enough energy to power your holiday lights after dark.
Do lawn decorations use a lot of electricity?
If you’re installing reindeer, snowmen, Santas, and other festive decorations, the total cost of running Christmas lights can jump up considerably. On average, these types of lights use about 120 watts of power each. So, just installing one pair of holiday animals could ramp up your energy usage by 140 watts.
Do Christmas lights use a lot of electricity if they’re set on a timer?
Programming your lights to come on at dusk and switch off when your family turns in is an efficient way to avoid wasting energy on lights that nobody is around to look at. Timers typically use no more electricity than a standard digital clock, so using one shouldn’t affect your electricity bill in a noticeable way.
How to calculate your Christmas lights’ power usage
Looking to determine the cost of installing festive decorations in and around your house more precisely? You can use the following formula to calculate your total Christmas light power usage and the effect on your bill.
- Step 1: Identify how many total watts you’ll use: Count your light strands and add the wattage of each together.
- Step 2: Estimate daily usage: Multiply the total watts by the number of hours you plan to keep your lights on daily.
- Step 3: Convert to kilowatt hours(kWh): Divide the total by 1,000 to convert total wattage to a kilowatt-hour total (this is the measurement used on your electric bill).
- Step 4: Calculate the cost: Multiply the total kWh per hour figure by the electricity rate on your most recent utility bill.
By following this calculation, you can more accurately estimate your electricity costs for the holiday season, making it easier to enjoy the festive glow without worrying about a spike on your next bill.
Cost-saving tips for holiday lighting
If you’re actively looking for ways to reduce your electric bill this winter season, this list of top tips will help:
- Use LED rather than incandescent light models.
- Choose energy-efficient Christmas lights with ENERGY STAR labels to optimize energy savings.
- Decorate selectively, focusing on key areas like the front door, roof, and lawn to create focal points with fewer light strings.
- Use tinsel, metallic ornaments, and other reflective decor to maximize brightness with fewer lights.
- Use solar-powered outdoor lighting where possible to reduce using grid power.
- Calculate when to turn off Christmas lights and set a timer to eliminate wasted hours of electricity use.
- Switch off some of your indoor lights when your outdoor lights are on.
The holiday season should be about celebrating, not stressing over expenses. By applying these tips, you can light up your home worry-free!
Save on electricity plans with BKVE
Are Christmas lights energy-efficient in your household? With the holidays almost upon us, now is the perfect time to reflect on your energy expenses and consider ways you could save.
BKVE provides affordable homeowner electricity plan options to help you manage energy costs year-round. So, whether you’re planning to light up the season with an enviable festive display or simply looking to keep daily costs manageable, we have plans to meet your needs!
Enter your zip code today to explore your options and find the right plan for your home.
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