Greener Holidays with LED Christmas Lights

December 22nd, 2009 · No Comments

Welcome back!

Using LED Christmas lights in place of conventional Christmas lights can make your holiday season greener. They are easy to find as most stores sell LED Christmas lights if they sell Christmas lights at all. This year’s Christmas really can be greener than those that have preceded it!

LED Christmas lights, which consume less energy than their traditional counterparts, also last ten times longer. They use 75% less energy. Imagine saving on your energy bill during this holiday season when you use this type of lighting.

Just like traditional string lights, LED Christmas lights come in various shapes and sizes, such as “globe,” or “mini.” Both icicle and net forms are on the market as well. Regardless of the color you prefer, you should be able to find them in stores.

LED Christmas lights are safer than traditional lights. For instance, you can safely connect several strings without worrying about overheating being a problem. That said, you should still find out how many strands the manufacturer says you can safely connect by consulting the box or manual.

If you’re really gaga for going green this holiday season, select solar powered LED Christmas lights. These lights harness the energy of the sun, thereby making them more energy friendly. Some models automatically light up at night. Amazon usually sells a 50-light strand for about $17. Therefore, you can save energy as well as money if you purchase this type of LED lighting strands.

Occasionally people are put off by LED Christmas lights’ initial cost. And, of course, it’s true that traditional incandescent bulbs are less expensive than LED light strings. However, the higher initial cost is easily offset by greener and more efficient lighting solutions.

There are Christmas light timers available that you can hook up to your existing lights if you still have working incandescent strands and don’t want to invest in LED Christmas lights. Timers regulate your lights’ energy usage. Not only that, they can also make your house more burglar-proof by giving the appearance that someone is at home (turning the lights on and off) when you’re actually away for the holidays.

You should observe safety protocols regardless of whether you use LED or incandescent Christmas lights. When you unplug the lights, don’t pull on the cord. This can tear at the wiring inside. When storing them away, check for damage first. Don’t use lights that have loose connections, broken sockets, or bare wires. Store Christmas Lights, and any electrical decorations, in a dry place where they can’t be damaged by water. Keep them out of children’s reach during storage, to ensure the wires are not damaged.

Christmas is a time of celebration, family, giving, and religion. It can also be a time to think about the future of our planet and take a few extra steps to make it greener. Every little bit counts, and lots of little steps combined can go a long way.

About the author: Megan Barlow helps others learn to live cleaner lives. Find out more about green living at her blog on Sustainable and Green Building.