Decorating for the holidays is a seasonal highlight for people across Clark County, but a bright and colorful home doesn’t have to create a high energy bill at the end of the month.
Balancing a beautiful display with a reasonable energy bill is easier than it may appear. It can be about as easy as modernizing your decorations supply and investing in a timer or two.
If you are still using the old fashioned incandescent lights, recycle them and upgrade to LEDs. LED (light-emitting diode) lights and light strands use between 70 percent and 90 percent less electricity than their incandescent counterparts. So, not only will your LED holiday display cost less this season, you’ll be able to run more strands with fewer cords and presumably fewer hazards.
Incandescent light strands require a surprising amount of energy and can easily overload an electrical circuit. Typically, only four strands or fewer can connect to one circuit; more than that will likely pop the breaker. The only workaround is to use extension cords to reach a different circuit.
But LEDs eliminate the circuit and logistics problem of old lights. Since they consume significantly less energy, multiple strands of LEDs can be connected to one circuit. That means more lights, fewer cords and lots of energy savings.
Say wrapping your living room window with lights takes a few strands and 1,000 bulbs. With incandescent light strands you need about around 408 watts of power and at least two circuits to get the job done. LED strands would consume around 70 watts and eliminate the need for more than one circuit. Plus, LEDs will have a fraction of the energy costs for the same show.
LEDs will also allow your creativity to really shine. Many manufacturers sell strands and individual bulbs that can be programmed to display a variety of eye-catching, custom colors and be synced with music and controlled from a tablet or smartphone.
In addition to being cheaper, LEDs are safer than incandescent bulbs. An incandescent bulb converts about 90 percent of its energy into heat, which can be dangerous around trees, curtains and flammable decorations. LEDs typically operate just a degree or two above room temperature, making it much safer to decorate a wide variety of locations. Plus, their bulbs are made of epoxy, not glass, so they’re very durable and much less likely to injure a person if they break.
Finally, LEDs last much longer than incandescent bulbs. A standard incandescent light is expected to last about 2,000 hours, while an LED bulb can last up to 50,000 hours. Store LEDs right and they’ll shine bright season after season.
When you get rid of your old light strings, don’t throw them out — recycle them. Many retailers will accept them for recycling, plus a quick internet search will reveal more options.
For even more energy savings, connect your displays to a timer. You’ll save yourself the hassle of turning them off and on every day, and you won’t have to worry about driving up your utility costs. After all, the cheapest kilowatt is the one you don’t use.
Energy Adviser is produced by Clark Public Utilities and relies on the expertise of utility energy counselors and staff, who provide conservation and energy use information. To contact us call 360-992-3355, email ecod@clarkpud.com or visit www.clarkpublicutilities.com.
