It’s that time of year again! Time to get ready for Christmas, which is just around the corner. The time when houses are strung with lights, families gather around the tree, and people everywhere are filled with holiday cheer. But there’s one thing that can put a damper on all that holiday cheer: figuring out which type of Christmas lights to buy. Should you go with the tried-and-true incandescent bulbs or the newer, more energy-efficient LED bulbs? Read on for a lighthearted look at the good reasons to switch to LED, as well as the pros and cons of each type of light.
The Pros of LED Christmas Lights
- LED Christmas Lights Cost Less. Wow, should I repeat that? It’s true, in all other applications LED is substantially more expensive, but when I made my recent purchase, they were actually cheaper than traditional bulbs. I bought C-6 colored bulbs at about $.24 per bulb (before the discount) and the same incandescent was $.52.
- Cut Back on Your Electric Bill. It’s staggering, LED lights use 88% less wattage than incandescent bulbs. If you’re the type that decorates the exterior of your house with thousands of bulbs then the savings could be substantial.
- Peace of Mind. Certainly, it is a rare instance, but as each manufacturer warns, wrapping electrical bulbs around a tree is a potential fire hazard. LED bulbs are cool to the touch and lessen the chance of any catastrophe.
- Environmental Impact. As I mentioned in reason #2, there is a huge reduction in energy consumed when using LED lighting. Anytime we use less electricity we reduce our carbon footprint. Less coal is burned to produce electricity, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions. They’re also fully recyclable, so you can feel good about using them knowing that they won’t end up in a landfill somewhere.
- Longer Lasting. LED bulbs are rated for 50,000 hours which is 25 times longer than standard incandescent. Every year I pull out our Christmas lights and stretch each strand out on the family room floor. Then I plug each one in individually so I can get a count of how many new replacement bulbs I have to run out and buy. I won’t be missing that.
- Extended Savings. In addition to the actual price tag savings, you get extended savings by reducing your replacement costs. If a 50-bulb string of lights costs approximately $12 and LED lasts 25 times longer, that’s $300 in lifetime savings. And that’s just one series of lights.
- Get Rid Of Those Extension Cords. Because LED bulbs operate on such reduced wattage, you can connect up to 87 strands end to end. That’s over 4000 lights off of one outlet plug.
The Cons of LED Christmas Lights
Of course, nothing is perfect, and LEDs have a few drawbacks as well. For one thing, they tend to be more expensive upfront than incandescent bulbs. They also give off a brighter, bluer light than incandescents, which some people find harsher and less inviting. And if you’re really attached to that classic Christmas look, LEDs might not be for you—they just don’t quite have that same warm glow as their incandescent counterparts.
The Pros of Incandescent Bulbs
If you’re looking for a classic Christmas look, incandescent bulbs are the way to go. These bulbs have been around for years, and they give off a warm, inviting glow that is synonymous with the holidays. Plus, they’re relatively inexpensive, so you won’t have to break the bank to deck your halls with them.
The Cons of Incandescent Bulbs
Unfortunately, incandescent bulbs also have some drawbacks. For starters, they’re not very energy-efficient, so they’ll end up costing you more in electricity bills over time. They also tend to burn out more quickly than LED bulbs, so you’ll likely have to replace them more often. And if you’re really not into wastefulness, you can forget about recycling them—incandescent bulbs are not recyclable.
Conclusion
So which type of bulb should you choose? Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient option that will save you money in the long run but don’t mind spending a bit more upfront, go with LEDs. If you want a classic look at a lower price point but don’t mind sacrificing some efficiency, go with incandescents. Or mix and match—after all, variety is the spice of life (or at least of Christmas lights)! Whatever option you choose, I hope your holiday season is merry and bright!