The holiday season brings cheer, warmth, and, for many homeowners, a sudden spike in their electricity bills. As energy costs continue to rise, the spectacle of a dazzling light display can feel more like a frightening expense than a festive joy.

But don’t let the fear of a massive bill turn you into a Scrooge! You can still spread holiday cheer without sacrificing your budget. The key is understanding how your lights consume energy and making smart, energy-efficient choices.

The True Cost of Traditional Lights

Not all holiday lights are created equal. If your decorations are several years old, you likely have traditional incandescent bulbs, and these are the primary culprit behind soaring winter bills.

One string of 100 incandescent Christmas lights uses 40 watts of electricity.

For a single 6-foot tree lit with 600 incandescent bulbs, the cost is about $7.90 in December (running for 6 hours per day for 31 days). While this may seem small, if you aim for a spectacular outdoor display, the costs can quickly balloon into the hundreds of dollars.

LED lights, by comparison, use about half the energy of incandescent bulbs. A string of 100 LED lights consumes 5 to 10 watts of electricity, though usage varies by design and manufacturer. A single 6-foot tree with 600 LED bulbs would use 60 watts and cost $0.06 per day, or $1.98 for the entire month of December.

Simple Tips for a Smarter Holiday Bill

Whether you're upgrading to LEDs or just maximizing your existing setup, here are some quick tips to reduce your total energy footprint this season:

  1. Use a Timer: Use automatic timers or smart plugs to ensure lights run only during peak visibility hours (e.g., dusk until bedtime). This saves energy and extends the life of your bulbs.
  2. Turn Off Interior Lights: Let your Christmas tree or decoration lights serve as your ambient lighting in the room, reducing the need for standard household lighting.
  3. Unplug "Vampire" Electronics: Decorations and electronics plugged directly into the wall can draw phantom power even when turned off. Unplug them or use a power strip that can be completely switched off.
  4. Manage Heating: When hosting holiday guests, lower your thermostat a few degrees. The increase in body heat and cooking heat will naturally warm your home, saving energy.