Are you planning an extravagant holiday light display this season? Solar panels can help you power your walkway lights, trees, roofs, and much more!
As the holiday season approaches, many people look forward to decorating their homes with Christmas lights that brighten up walkways, trees, windows, and roofs. Some even incorporate animated inflatables, musical displays, and projections to create a festive atmosphere. However, before you go all out like Clark Griswold, it’s important to consider the energy consumption of your holiday decorations.
Are Christmas lights energy-efficient? Should you be concerned about the impact on your wallet and the environment? The answers depend largely on the size of your display, the number of bulbs you use, and the type of bulbs and energy sources you choose.
Understanding Christmas Lights’ Energy Usage
Though you might think your holiday lights don’t consume much energy, using a large number of traditional incandescent bulbs could push your home’s electrical system to its limits. Most household circuits can handle between 15 to 20 amps, which corresponds to 1,800 to 2,400 watts, but it is advisable not to exceed 80% of that maximum capacity. Each time you plug in your Christmas lights, they’re competing for power with other devices on the same circuit, which makes it crucial to be mindful of your total wattage.
Incandescent Christmas lights generate illumination by heating a filament within the bulb and have been widely used until recent years when LED lights became increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency and durability.
Energy Consumption of Different Christmas Lights
Incandescent Bulbs: C7 and C9 incandescent bulbs are common for outdoor displays, but they come with high energy costs. For instance, 300 C9 incandescent bulbs can consume up to 2,100 watts. Compared to LED lighting, which can use up to 90% less energy, incandescent lights can quickly escalate energy expenses. Additionally, it’s recommended to limit the number of connected incandescent strands to four or five to avoid overloading circuits.
LED Bulbs: In contrast, using 300 C9 LED bulbs can result in an energy consumption of only 29 watts. LEDs are significantly more efficient, consuming 80% to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Furthermore, many LED lights can be connected in longer strands, allowing for greater flexibility in your display without needing multiple outlets.
To put it into perspective, the United States consumes approximately 6.63 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to power Christmas lights each year—equivalent to the electricity needed to run 14 million refrigerators.
The Cost of Christmas Lights
According to Simple Thrifty Living, the average American spends about $19.81 to light their Christmas display for the 34 days leading up to New Year’s. This estimate assumes the lights are on for six hours each night and includes ten strands of incandescent lights, as well as two inflatable decorations. Variances in costs exist depending on the state; for example, residents of Hawaii may pay up to $46.62, while those in Louisiana might only spend around $13.94.
Calculating Your Christmas Light Costs
To estimate your energy costs for your holiday display, follow these steps:
- Determine total wattage: Sum the wattage of all your lights.
- Convert to kilowatt-hours: Multiply total wattage by 0.001.
- Calculate daily consumption: Multiply by your daily usage (e.g., 5 hours).
- Calculate total seasonal consumption: Multiply by the number of days the lights are displayed.
- Find your total cost: Multiply your total kWh by the cost per kWh on your electric bill.
If math isn’t your strong suit, online calculators can simplify the task.
Reducing Energy Consumption with Solar Power
If you want to brighten your holiday decorations while minimizing environmental impact (and your utility bill), consider using solar power. While solar panels generate energy during the day, excess power can be stored in a battery for nighttime use.
Thus, the solar energy collected during the day may be used to power your Christmas lights, allowing you to draw from renewable energy rather than the grid.
Solar panels harness sunlight to power your home, and they are effective even in cloudy conditions. With solar lighting, you can enjoy a variety of benefits:
Convenience
Solar-powered Christmas lights allow for flexible placement without the need for nearby outlets or unattractive extension cords. Illuminate remote bushes and trees effortlessly with solar options.
Cost-Effectiveness
While the initial investment in solar may seem high, it pays off over time. After purchasing a solar panel system, you’ll notice long-lasting savings on your energy bills year after year, freeing up funds for holiday shopping.
Environmental Benefit
Using solar energy for your Christmas lights significantly reduces your carbon footprint, making you a part of the solution to combat global warming. By choosing renewable energy, you help secure a greener future for your family and community.
Light Up the Holidays with Freedom Solar
This holiday season, consider making the switch to solar energy. If you’re thinking about investing in solar or want to gift solar installations to loved ones, reach out to Freedom Solar.
As a full-service solar company, we have over 15 years of experience in home and commercial solar installations. Additionally, we offer repair and maintenance services to ensure maximum efficiency and energy production.
Contact us today with any questions or to schedule your free consultation. Enjoy long-lasting, cost-effective holiday lighting powered by renewable energy in the new year!