4 minute read • Graham Lumley • Last update November 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you’re actively looking for ways to reduce your electric bill this winter season, this list of top tips will help:
The holiday season should be about celebrating, not stressing over expenses. By applying these tips, you can light up your home worry-free!
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.
