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 last ten times longer and consume less energy than the traditional lights. They use 75% less energy. This means you can enjoy electrical savings when you use LED lights this holiday season.
Just like the traditional string lights, LED Christmas lights are available in a variety of sizes and shapes like “mini” and “globe.” Additionally, icicle and net forms are both available on the market. Thanks to so many options being on the market, you should be able to find the style and color you want.
Additionally, LED lights are safer to use than conventional Christmas lights. For instance, you can safely connect several strings without worrying about overheating being a problem. However, you should still read the manual or box to learn how many strands you can connect safely to one another.
If you want to go even greener with your holiday decorations, select solar powered LED Christmas lights. These lights are more energy friendly because they harness the energy of the sun. Some models are designed to light up at night. A 50-light string can cost you under $20 at Amazon. As such, you’ll save both money and energy by purchasing these LED light strands.
People are sometimes turned off by the initial cost of LED Christmas lights. LED light strings are more expensive than the traditional incandescent bulbs. However, the higher initial cost is easily offset by greener and more efficient lighting solutions.
If you don’t want to purchase LED Christmas lights because you still have working incandescent strands, you can get Christmas light timers to use with your existing lights. These timers regulate the amount of energy your lights use. Additionally, these timers can help burglar-proof your house because they turn off and on automatically, thereby giving the impression that someone is at home even if you’re out of town visiting friends and family.
Regardless of whether you use incandescent or LED Christmas lights, you should observe safety protocols. When you unplug the lights, don’t pull on the cord. This can tear at the wiring inside. Check also for non-working bulbs or damage before you pack up and store light strands. 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.
We can make our future — and our planet — greener as we celebrate our family and religious beliefs during this celebratory holiday season. Lots of little steps can go a long way, so don’t forget that every little bit counts.
About the author: Megan Barlow helps others learn to live more environmentally friendly lives. Learn more about sustainable living at her blog on Environmentally Friendly and Green Gadgets.