Home and business owners begin considering their decoration options with the holidays rapidly approaching. Lighting is essential to holiday displays, bringing warmth and smiles. With rising electricity costs due to heating system use, you do not want to increase your bill further in the winter. Some lighting choices can increase your energy costs dramatically while others can lower your expenses and make the holiday season less taxing to your wallet.
Why Consider Energy-Efficient Holiday Lights?
Incandescent bulbs were once the only holiday lighting option, consuming vast energy. A small string of incandescent lights will average 80 to 90 watts of power. According to the EPA, 265 incandescent holiday bulbs can increase electricity costs by more than $50 per season. Energy-efficient lighting significantly reduces energy consumption, lowering electricity costs during the holiday season.
With LED lights now on the market, consumers can save money on their electricity costs by switching to LED holiday bulbs. LED bulbs use far less power and last much longer. They also do not produce nearly as much heat, making them a safer decorating option.
Energy-Efficient Lighting Impacts the Environment
Beyond saving money on your electricity bills, using energy-efficient holiday lighting can protect the environment. Reducing your energy expenditure reduces your carbon footprint.
The United States Department of Energy says that, if every household switched to LED lighting, it would prevent the release of 300 billion pounds of greenhouse gases into the environment. Although a simple approach, it would have a profound impact, like removing 45 million cars from American highways.
Some holiday lights contain toxic materials, like mercury, and LED lights are free of these. Switching to energy-efficient lights like LEDs can protect your family from toxic materials during the holidays.
Energy-Efficient Holiday Lighting Solutions
As the holiday season approaches, people become more festive and want to showcase their love of the season with others. Lights are an excellent addition to any holiday display, and making a wise decision can help you avoid a skyrocketing bill in December and January.
LED Lights
Although LED lights have been around since 1962, they did not begin to arrive as holiday lights in the United States until the late 1990s. According to the United States Department of Energy, LED lights use 90% less energy than incandescent lights.
LED lights also last much longer, at around 25,000 hours versus 1,000 hours for incandescent bulbs. The longer lifespan saves you money on replacement costs and helps reduce waste.
Solar Powered Lights
Solar-powered lights are becoming increasingly popular because they require no electricity or cumbersome extension cords. These lights harness the sun’s energy during the day to charge a small battery attached to them. At night, the battery’s stored energy operates the lights without needing outside electricity. You can place solar-powered holiday lights anywhere that offers total sun exposure without searching for an outdoor outlet. Solar-powered holiday lights are not as readily available as LED, but they are increasing in numbers in the market.
Smart Lights
Smart lights take efficiency one step further by putting you in control. Smart controls attach your holiday light display to a smartphone application. You can use program timers to ensure the lights shut off during the day. Some holiday light sets even allow you to change the light colors or functions remotely. Other systems integrate with Alexa or Google Assistant to enable hands-free operation.
Battery-operated LED Lights
You can also use battery-operated LED lights for small-scale holiday displays. These lights are easy to install and do not require an outlet, making them perfect for those inconvenient spaces. If you use rechargeable batteries, you can further enhance your efficiency. Some battery-operated LED lights come with timers, allowing you to shut them off during the day or control how long they shine at night.
Tips for Maximizing Energy Efficiency in Your Holiday Lighting Displays
Residents in Fuquay-Varina can maximize their holiday energy efficiency and reduce energy costs while enjoying their holiday light displays.
Use Timers
Timers are practical tools that help you save on your electricity bills without fear of putting on a spectacular light display. They are reasonably affordable and do not require special installations. You plug the timer into an outlet, and then your holiday lights are plugged into the timer.
Some timers work on a dial system. You turn the outer dial to the correct time. Push the first pin in when you want the lights to come on, and push the second pin in when you want them to turn off. You can change the settings on a mechanical timer by changing the pins.
Smart timers plug into standard outlets, and then you plug your lights into the timer. Use your phone or a digital display to select when you want the lights to come on and when to shut off. Smart timers are more expensive but give you more convenient options for control even when away from home.
Limit the Lights
You do not have to cover every inch of your home or yard with lights to make a thoughtful and impactful display. Consider using spotlights to highlight non-lighting decorations at night. Light up doorways or particular trees to create a fantastic display without spending too much energy.
Layer the Lighting
To maximize your electrical savings further, consider layering your light choices. For instance, use solar lights along the driveway and battery-operated candles on your porch and windows. LED string lights are ideal around your trees or bushes.
Choose Quality Lights
It seems everyone tries to save money during the holidays, and it can be tempting to purchase cheap lights. Unfortunately, you get what you pay for, and mass-produced lights will not last as long as quality ones. High-quality lights will cost more, but they offer more durable materials and often come with extended warranties, saving you money in the long run.
Unplug Your Lights When Not in Use
Even if you turn your holiday lights off, they can still draw trace amounts of power if plugged in. You should consider unplugging your lights and light-up holiday decor when not in use, especially if you do not have a timer.
Use Your Lights During Off-Peak Hours
Check with your electricity provider to determine their off-peak hours. Many providers offer savings during these times. Once you know the off-peak hours, you can set your holiday light timers to turn the lights on. Set them to shut off during peak usage hours when your rates will be higher.
Amplify Your Holiday Lights
You can also amplify your holiday display using reflective materials like mirrors, metallic materials, and glitter. These materials help reflect light, minimizing your light usage while maximizing the impact of your holiday display. Combining the two will create a stunning display that looks like there are many more lights.
Brighten the Holidays by Making Smarter Lighting Choices
You do not have to give up your holiday lights to save money on electricity costs. The information above gives you options to reduce costs while enjoying the sparkle of festive lights. Dawson's Electric & Air is a licensed electrician in Fuquay-Varina. We offer installation, maintenance, and repair services for electrical panels, GFCI outlets, surge protection, whole-home generators, and other components.
Call Dawson's Electric & Air for all your electrical service needs.
