Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative –
November 26, 2012
My two-year-old insists on hanging every ornament “up dere!!!” on our 5 foot-tall, pre-lit “Kiss-miss” tree. He loves the lights, adores the shimmer and even listens sometimes when we tell him Santa doesn’t bring presents to boys who color on the kitchen floor.
The holiday season has begun.
And with it, comes a wallop to our wallets.
That’s why I’m considering LED lights for my outdoor decorating this year. LED lights are pricey compared to standard commercial lights.
At first glance, the price difference is a little shocking: $10+ for a box of 100 mini LED lights compared to $2 or so for the standard bulb equivalent. But overtime, those savings add up, both in energy costs and the longevity of the product. While the standard bulb set will likely get tossed in two years, the LED sets can last a decade.
Most LED strings are rated for 20,000 hours of use, or 10 times the longevity of incandescent lights, according to Electric Cooperative Today.
Plus, consumers can connect more LED strands and the LEDs don’t break as easy, according to the Pasadena Star-News.
So weigh in what works for you. Do you intend to keep your lights forever – saving yourself some coin and reducing your global footprint? Or are you a new-light-every-year kind of person. Depending on how you light up your holidays, LEDs just may be for you.
And here’s a little LED Christmas light video, to get you in the holiday spirit!
Have a happy and safe one!