When the holiday season hits, it’s hard to resist the magic of glowing rooftops, twinkling trees, and warm window displays. Christmas lights transform ordinary homes into festive landmarks—and for many families, they’re a tradition as cherished as the tree itself. But as energy prices rise and sustainability becomes a bigger concern, one question pops up more often than ever: do Christmas lights use a lot of electricity?
The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends on a few key factors—like what type of lights you’re using (LED or incandescent), how much area you’re covering, how long the lights stay on each day, and whether or not you use energy-saving tools like timers or smart plugs. Even the installation method can make a difference when it comes to energy waste and safety.
In this post, we’ll unpack how much energy holiday lighting actually uses, compare different types of bulbs, explore smart ways to cut electricity costs, and explain how technology and thoughtful design can help you create a brilliant display without running up your electric bill. Whether you’re decorating for the first time or upgrading your setup with permanent lighting, this guide will help you make informed decisions—without dimming the magic.
What You’ll Discover in This Guide
- Comparing LED and Incandescent Lights
- Estimating Your Holiday Lighting Energy Use
- Tips for Cutting Electricity Costs
- How Smart Tech is Changing the Game
- Why Your Lighting Setup (and Who Installs It) Matters
Watts Up With These Lights? Comparing LED and Incandescent Options
If you’ve ever wondered about the difference in energy draw between light types, you’re not alone. One of the biggest shifts in recent years has been the move from incandescent bulbs to LEDs—and for good reason.
Incandescent lights, the old-school kind, use up to 90% more energy than modern LEDs. That’s because they generate light by heating a metal filament until it glows, which is extremely inefficient and gives off more heat than light. LED lights, on the other hand, use a semiconductor to emit light, which requires far less power and generates very little heat.
In the great debate of LED vs incandescent Christmas lights, LEDs clearly win in terms of energy efficiency, longevity, and safety. While the upfront cost might be slightly higher, the long-term savings on your electric bill and replacement bulbs make them a solid investment.
So… Do Christmas Lights Use a Lot of Electricity?
Let’s address the question head-on: do Christmas lights use a lot of electricity? The answer is—it depends. While it’s entirely possible to run up your energy bill with a large or inefficient setup, modern lighting options and a few smart habits can make a big difference in controlling usage.
Several key factors affect how much electricity your holiday lights consume. These include the type of lights you use (LED or incandescent), how many strings or displays you install, how long they’re on each night, and whether you’re using energy-saving tools like timers or smart controls. A home with 500 feet of LED lights running on a timer for 4 hours per night will use far less electricity than a house running incandescent lights for 8 hours straight.
Let’s take a closer look at how those numbers actually play out in a typical household scenario.
Breaking Down the Energy Usage
Here’s a simplified example that compares incandescent and LED Christmas lights:
- 100 incandescent mini lights use approximately 40 watts
- 100 LED mini lights use about 7 watts
Now, assume you’re running 10 strands of 100 lights for 6 hours a night, every night for 30 days.
- Incandescent lights:
(10 sets x 40 watts) x 6 hours x 30 days = 72 kilowatt-hours (kWh) - LED lights:
(10 sets x 7 watts) x 6 hours x 30 days = 12.6 kilowatt-hours (kWh)
With the average U.S. electricity rate around 15 cents per kilowatt-hour:
- Cost for incandescent lights: ~$10.80 per month
- Cost for LED lights: ~$1.89 per month
While these numbers may seem small in isolation, they scale up quickly. A larger display using older bulbs could end up costing $30–$50 more per season than a similar LED setup. Multiply that across multiple years or commercial properties, and the difference becomes significant.
It’s also worth noting that this calculation doesn’t account for other common energy-saving tools, such as timers or motion sensors, which can help reduce usage even further.
Do LED Christmas Lights Use a Lot of Electricity?
This question deserves its own spotlight. The answer is a resounding no—LED Christmas lights do not use a lot of electricity. In fact, they’re specifically designed to be energy-efficient and cost-effective, even when used in large displays.
Add to that their longevity (often 25,000+ hours of use) and durability, and LEDs are ideal for both traditional temporary lighting and permanent installations. That’s part of why many homeowners in Spokane and across the country are making the switch.
Small Changes, Big Savings: Smarter Ways to Light Your Home Efficiently
You don’t need to scale back your holiday spirit to keep your electric bill in check. A few thoughtful decisions can make your display more energy-efficient without sacrificing style or brightness. Whether you’re wrapping a few shrubs or covering the entire roofline, these tips can help you light smarter:
Use a Timer or Smart Plug
Leaving lights on all night is one of the most common causes of unnecessary energy use during the holidays. A simple outdoor timer—or a Wi-Fi-enabled smart plug—lets you schedule your lights to turn off automatically after a set time, like midnight or even earlier. This ensures you’re not burning energy when nobody’s around to enjoy the display.
Upgrade to LED Lights
Switching to LED Christmas lights is one of the most effective ways to cut electricity costs. Not only do they use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, but they also last significantly longer. That means fewer replacements over the years and better performance in cold weather, making them ideal for exterior installations.
Plan Your Layout with Purpose
More lights don’t always mean more impact. In fact, strategic placement often creates a more cohesive and attractive display while reducing the number of lights needed. Focus on high-visibility areas—such as the roofline, entryway, and prominent trees—rather than spreading lights uniformly across less noticeable sections. This approach maximizes visual effect while minimizing waste.
Distribute Electrical Load Wisely
If your setup includes multiple circuits or extension cords, make sure your power usage is balanced across them. Overloading a single circuit can not only reduce efficiency but also pose a safety risk. Use grounded, outdoor-rated extension cords and power strips, and consult an electrician or professional installer for larger setups to ensure safe and optimal power distribution.
Keep Maintenance in Mind
Frayed wires, broken bulbs, or corroded connections can affect both safety and energy use. Inspect your lights before installing them each year, and replace any damaged components. A well-maintained system runs more efficiently, which adds up to savings over the course of the season.
These small steps can have a noticeable impact on your electricity use—especially when combined with energy-efficient lighting and smart installation techniques. For homeowners looking to take things even further, permanent lighting systems like Invisilights provide year-round versatility while keeping energy consumption to a minimum.
Smart Tech and Permanent Lighting: The Future Is Already Here
Permanent lighting systems like Invisilights (used by our team at Hotdog Holiday Lighting) take things to the next level. Not only are they LED-based and ultra-low wattage, but they also come with app-based controls and over 75 preset effects, allowing homeowners to change colors, animations, and brightness with a few taps.
This reduces energy waste while maximizing control and creativity. And since the system stays installed year-round, you’re not repeatedly buying lights or burning extra electricity during installation.
Want to see how this works in real life? Check out this page on Christmas light installation in Spokane for a look at real projects we’ve done using these energy-smart systems.
Why Who Installs Your Lights Actually Matters
Aside from the lights themselves, the installer makes a huge difference. A proper install avoids wasted materials, ensures the correct placement for light coverage, and protects your home from damage. For example, at Hotdog Holiday Lighting, we use non-invasive techniques that avoid drilling into shingles or damaging gutters—practices that can affect home efficiency over time.
More importantly, we don’t rely on upsells or gimmicks. As our owner often says, “The product is similar across companies. What really matters is the service and how we treat people.” Choosing a team that respects your property and offers honest advice goes a long way.
Let’s Be Real: Holiday Magic Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
So, to circle back to the original question—do Christmas lights use a lot of electricity? If you’re using older incandescent bulbs and running them all night long, the answer could be yes. But if you’re switching to LEDs, using timers, and planning your setup smartly, your lights will use surprisingly little power.
Modern technology has made it easier than ever to enjoy an energy-efficient holiday display—whether it’s temporary or permanent. And with reliable service, thoughtful design, and smarter lighting choices, you can keep the spirit (and savings) bright all season long.
