It doesn’t feel like the holidays have started until the cheerful glow of holiday lights begins to fill up the neighborhood—and your home. However, with the current state of the economy, consumers hesitate to string up those cheerful bulbs due to the energy costs associated with powering them. Read on to learn about the types of lights that will save you from a coal coated electric bill while still keeping your holidays merry and bright.
LED as Bright as You
Join the revolution of lowered energy bills and invest in some LED lights. They don’t have the same nostalgic feeling that incandescent lights provide with their soft, warm glows— but the options that LED lights offer, like icicles and pre-lit wreaths, are a great place to start. LED lights consume 25%–80% less energy than their incandescent counterparts and last longer as well. Compared to incandescent lights’ 3 000 hours, LED lights can last up to 100,000 hours!
Types of Bulbs
Ready to choose your bulbs? First, consider the size you need. There are several styles of LED bulbs to choose from:
Mini LED Lights are perfect for a Christmas tree, accent lighting, wreaths, or an added touch to staircase garland.
Regular LED String Lights are the large counterpart to the Mini LEDs, and are traditionally found in Christmas trees and wreaths. But they’re also great for wrapping around porch columns, or in an icicle design to drape over bushes. Jump up a size to a C3 for emphasis.
Mini Pine Cone or Mini Cone LED Lights add a festive look to whatever you’re decorating. Though they’re small enough to use on a tree, consider draping them with garland on your front porch.
C7 or C9 LED Light Strings are used to give your holidays a more traditional look, and are also great for outside on the roof edge. These will make your yard pop!
Safety Tips
More than one of every four home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems. Here are a few light safety tips for this holiday season:
Though metal Christmas trees are rarely used, it’s still important to know that you should never hang electric lights on a metal tree due to the associated risks, such as a high likelihood of fire and electrical shock injuries.
Check your lights to make sure you’re using the appropriate lights designed for indoor or outdoor use.
Remember that you’re not invincible. Practice ladder safety when putting up your outdoor lights.
For added convenience, JDP Electric is available to handle your landscape lighting needs. Call us today for prompt, reliable service from experienced electricians.