Photo: istock
The kids are playing catch with your grandma’s vintage tree ornaments, the dog is rolling around in tinsel and after trying 12 new bulbs, that dang string of lights still just isn’t lighting. Don’t string together a streak of language that will get you put on Santa’s naughty list. Just bring that old set of lights to London Drugs for free recycling.
While you’re there, you might want to pick up some high-efficiency LED lights. According to the US Department of Energy, they have some surprising advantages over old-style incandescent lights:
- Safer: LEDs are much cooler, reducing risk of combustion or burnt fingers.
- Sturdier: LEDs are made with epoxy lenses, not glass.
- Longer lasting: The same LED string could still be in use 40 holiday seasons from now. (Some people I know would still have them on their house)
- Up to 25 strings of LEDs can be connected end-to-end without overloading a wall socket. So you could create a virtual runway for Rudolph without browning out your street.
You can also save some holiday dollars off your energy bill.
Estimated cost of electricity to light a six-foot tree for 12 hours a day for 40 days (a bit extreme, but you could do it…)
- With incandescent C-9 lights: $10.00
- With LED C-9 lights $0.27
- With incandescent Mini-lights $2.74
- With LED Mini-lights $0.82
So gather up those old strings and bring them in for recycling. Less money spent on electricity means more left over for chocolate.
The common comparison of LED to incandescent Christmas lights is very deceptive because the LED lights are far less bright than incandescent lights. It is comparing apples and oranges. Yes LED lights are more efficient but for equal light output the energy cost saving is only about 7 to 1 not the 40 to 1 represented in this article and on LED Christmas light packaging. What I would very much like to see brighter LED Christmas lights.
Yes, LED’s are definitely dimmer – especially the outdoor ones. And there should be a way to make brighter versions, if my bike light is any indication of the technology. But for now, I guess we’ll have to settle for taking the efficiencies and performance level of the technology as it comes, one step at a time. Thanks for taking the time to comment – I hope your holiday is filled with all sorts of good light!