Everyone knows that LED Christmas lights are highly energy-efficient. Actually, depending on the light set, energy savings can range from 80% to 95%. Nowadays, many people are skeptical when they hear such figures, thinking it's just marketing talk with little truth behind it. We're often inundated with a plethora of stats, figures, and promotional content aimed at swaying us into purchases, leading us to dismiss anything that appears too promising.
A striking example is the energy efficiency claims made by LED lighting sellers – figures many might find hard to believe. Therefore, let's delve deeper into these numbers. Specifically, we will analyze the energy consumption of the three most favored LED lighting types: LED mini lights, LED C9 stringer sets, and LED C9 Retrofit bulbs.
Below is a concise table illustrating the per-bulb and per-set energy usage of the most popular LED Christmas lights:
| Type of Light | Bulbs Per Set | Set Wattage | Per Bulb Watts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incandescent Mini Light | 50 | 20.4 watts | .41 watts |
| Incandescent Mini Lights | 100 | 40.8 watts | .41 watts |
| Incandescent C9 Stringer Set | 25 | 175 watts | 7 watts |
| LED Mini Lights (Conical or M5) | 50 | 3.45 watts | .07 watts |
| LED Mini Lights (Conical or M5) | 70 | 4.83 watts | .07 watts |
| LED C9 Stringer Set | 25 | 2.2 watts | .09 watts |
| LED C9 Retrofit/Replacement Bulbs * | 25 | 24 watts | .96 watts |
But how much energy will LED lights consume in relation to incandescent lights? Let's use a hypothetical scenario to illustrate the disparity. We'll compare the total energy consumption of LED Christmas lights with that of incandescent Christmas lights for an average two-story, single-family residence. Suppose the house is adorned with the following LED light displays:
- 200′ of C9 lighting around the roofline.
- 35 sets of Conical LED mini lights on the greenery around the home (2450 bulbs).
- 150′ of C9 lighting along the sidewalk and driveway.
The chart below details the energy required for our hypothetical setup using LED lights:
| Type of Light | Application | # of Bulbs | Total Watts |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED Conical Light Sets | Tree & Foliage Lighting | 2450 | 31.5 Watts |
| LED C9 Retrofit Bulbs | Roofline Perimeter | 200 | 192 Watts |
| LED C9 Stringer Sets | Driveway and sidewalk outline | 150 | 13.5 Watts |
Total LED Watts: 237 Watts
Next, let's recreate our example using incandescent lights instead of LEDs. Here's the energy breakdown for the same display with incandescent bulbs:
| Type of Light | Application | # of Bulbs | Total Watts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incandescent Mini Light | Tree & Foliage Lighting | 2450 | 1004.50 Watts |
| Incandescent C9 Bulbs | Roofline Perimeter | 200 | 1400 Watts |
| Incandescent C9 Bulbs | Driveway and sidewalk outline | 150 | 1050 Watts |
Total Incandescent Watts: 2,800 Watts
As demonstrated, our hypothetical display would use approximately 237 watts with LED bulbs, compared to 2,800 watts with incandescent bulbs. While this is evidently a significant difference, it still does not answer the crucial question: How much money will these energy savings equal?
To find the answer, we can utilize the electricity cost calculator provided by Inch Calculator on their website: https://www.inchcalculator.com/electricity-cost-calculator/
Here are the details we'll use in the calculator:
Wattage: 237 for LED, 2,800 for Incandescent
Daily Usage: 7 hours
Cost per KWh: 12 cents (varies by location)
Duration: 45 days (Thanksgiving to New Year's)
According to these values, here's the result:LED Christmas Lights – 237 watts – $9.00 per seasonIncandescent Christmas Lights – 2,800 watts – $105.75 per season
Picture the savings!
Applying these savings over 7 to 9 seasons, the total could amount to approximately $677.00 to $870.00 if this imagined example is your home. You'll enjoy your lights without the eco-guilt tied to excessive energy consumption.
Remember, however, that the durability of your LED set will depend on the quality of the LEDs you purchase. Not all LED lights are created equal, as there is a broad spectrum of quality. Opt for LED lights from respected manufacturers, such as Christmas Designer's Pro/Commercial grade light sets, to ensure problem-free illumination for years to come.
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