Christmas is an expensive season, and many people may be concerned that using Christmas lights to decorate their homes and windows will only make their budgets even more restrictive given the state of the economy. Let’s face it: Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without all of those festive, glowing lights throughout the neighborhood. I can hear you asking, “How can I keep the energy consumption of my decorations to a minimum?” The Energy Saving Trust claims that by switching to LED lights for all of your home’s light bulbs, you could cut your carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40 kg annually. This is roughly equal to the amount of carbon dioxide released when driving 145 miles. Lighting makes up 11% of the average UK household electricity consumption, so making the switch to LED could help you save money too
Twinkling festive lights are no exception. Since most Christmas lights sold today are LED, it is difficult to choose poorly when purchasing new ones. However, if you are still using the incandescent Christmas lights that you have had since the 1980s or 1990s, you should think about replacing them right away with some new LED ones.
C6 vs. C7 vs. C9 lights
C6, C7, and C9 bulbs are additional options for energy-saving Christmas lights in addition to the ones mentioned above. C bulbs come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are frequently used in string lights. Your preferences and the intended use of the lights will determine whether you use C7 or C9 lights.
Incandescent vs LED Christmas lights
Traditional Christmas lights, such as coloured tree lights, are usually made with incandescent bulbs. Whilst these bulbs may be popular at this time of year, they are extremely inefficient. Only 10% of the energy the bulbs consume create light, the other 90% is wasted as heat.
In comparison, LED lights are much more efficient and require less energy to run. On top of this, LED bulbs have a much longer life, so just one set of LED tree lights, or icicle string lights can last year after year, saving you money on replacements too.
What is the difference between LEDs and Incandescent Christmas lights?
Remember the old-fashioned tree lights from Christmases past? They were tiny but clunky, made of glass (clear for “white” lights or painted a color), came on shorter strings so you usually had to buy several sets, and frequently required using an extension socket to accommodate all the plugs because they were hot to the touch and extremely dangerous for dry Christmas trees, children, and pets?
The typical lifespan of incandescent Christmas lights is 2000–3000 hours. This means they could last for 10-15 years, depending on how long you leave your lights on or how long your Christmas season lasts.
Since LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights lack a filament, they remain cool and have a longer lifespan. They operate by running electricity through a microchip, which then illuminates the tiny light bulbs known as LEDs, producing a bright light. The heat that LEDs generate is dissipated into a heat sink, making them safe to touch. Additionally, they are made of unbreakable epoxy plastic, which makes them safer and able to retain more color. They are better and safer for use in larger spaces when you string many more together.
Plus, LED lights have a lifespan of 200,000 hours, so you won’t likely ever need to buy Christmas bulbs again.
According to EnergySage, on average:
To help brighten those gloomy, winter nights, window and garden displays have grown more and more popular in recent years. Now you can relax knowing that switching to LED lights for your holiday decorations instead of incandescent ones will significantly reduce your household’s energy usage and those dreaded winter bills.
When we participate in community activities, we eagerly await seeing your displays!