The holidays are here and if your family traditions include capturing the spirit of the season in bright, shining light displays around your home, then it’s about time to grab that box of decorations and make your home glow.
Light strands and colorful decorations add a magical touch to the seasonal festivities, but they can also drive up home energy costs.
Fortunately, today’s decorators can have their fruitcake and eat it too, thanks to a new generation of high efficiency lighting options.
LED (light-emitting diode) lights and light strands use between 70 and 90 percent less electricity than their incandescent counterparts. So, not only will your LED holiday display cost less to operate this season, you’ll have the option to scale up with fewer cords and potentially fewer hazards.
Incandescent light strands require a surprising amount of energy. Usually fewer than four strings can be safely connected to one circuit and it’s common to blow fuses. So if you’re trying to replicate Clark Griswold’s home Christmas display with them, you’re going to need a lot of extension cords — and a packed piggy bank to cover the energy costs.
Switch to LEDs and things become less tangled and much more efficient. Due to the lower power demands, many LED lights can be safely connected to one circuit and lit for longer at a much smaller cost.
Let’s say wrapping your living room window takes a few strands totaling 1,000 lights. That many incandescent bulbs might require around 408 watts of power and at least two circuits to get the job done. That many LEDs, on the other hand, would consume just around 70 watts, which would eliminate the need for multiple strands plugged into several circuits, and, again, costs much less to illuminate.
LEDs will also allow your creativity to really shine. Many companies sell strands and individual bulbs that can be programed to display a variety of custom colors.
In addition to being cheaper, LEDs are also safer. An incandescent bulb converts about 90 percent of its energy into heat, which can be dangerous around trees, curtains and flammable decorations. LEDs, on the other hand, typically operate just a degree or two above room temperature. Plus, their bulbs are made of epoxy, not glass, so they’re very durable and much less likely to injure a person if they break.
Finally, LEDs last much longer than incandescent bulbs. A standard incandescent lights is expected to last about 2,000 hours, while an LED bulb can last up to 50,000 hours. So if you store them right, your lights will shine bright for years.
While thinking about your light strands, don’t forget about other applications. LEDs come in a number of shapes and sizes that can fit most any need, so look through your lamps, holiday displays, spotlights, and others to see if they can be upgraded to LEDs.
LEDs will pay for themselves over time through the money they save, but with any replacement there’s a cost upfront so it’s smart to shop around and compare prices.
When your old light strings burn out, don’t throw them out–recycle them. Many retailers will accept them for recycling, plus a quick internet search will reveal more options.
Energy Adviser is produced by Clark Public Utilities and relies on the expertise of utility energy counselors and staff, who provide conservation and energy use information. To contact us call 360-992-3355, email ecod@clarkpud.com or visit www.clarkpublicutilities.com.
