Energy Wise Tip: November, 2009
This year, strings of light emitting diode (LED) lights will brighten more Christmas displays throughout the U.S. than ever before. LED lights now offer many different styles. Many colors and sizes are available as well.
There are several advantages in the use of LED lights. New LED lights have an extremely long life. Unlike standard Christmas lights, LED lights will dim toward the end of their life rather than burning out all at once. Remember trying to find the single burned out bulb in a set of Christmas lights? That’s no longer a concern with LEDs.
Here are other some advantages of LED lights when compared to their incandescent cousins. Reports have stated the life of LED Christmas lights to be an extraordinary 100,000 hours! Another big advantage is the LED produces more light per watt than other types of lighting. LED lights are 90 percent more efficient than incandescent lights. For example, one set of conventional 100 - C9 style Christmas lights will use 700 watts of electricity. The same set replaced with the new LED lights (with equivalent luminescence) would use only 65 watts. Over the Christmas season, the new LED lights could save $7.50 in electric energy costs.
However, note that there are a few disadvantages of LED lighting. LEDs have a light output limitation. This means they can only be so bright. Though the initial cost may be a concern, note that significant price decreases have occurred over the past few seasons. Plus, since the cost of operating of LED lights is so much lower than conventional lights, the purchase price is usually rapidly recovered through energy savings.
LED lights have been around for a while and support many special lighting needs, such as exit lights, flash lights, emergency lighting, and traffic lights. Especially over the last several years, LED Christmas lighting has become popular. As rising energy costs and environmental issues continue to be of greater concern, LED Christmas lighting offers the consumer an opportunity to make a difference while saving money.
LED Christmas lights offer enhanced decorating inside and outside of the home. Christmas LED lighting can put new, brighter sparkle in the Christmas season. Energy dollars, no longer needed to pay the electric bill, can now be spent for the more important joys that this season brings.
For more information on steps homeowners can take to improve the efficiency of their homes, contact your local public power utility, or visit the ENERGY STAR® Home Advisor.
