Christmas Lights and Your Energy Bill: How to Save Money
These Christmas lights tips can maintain that holiday glow while reducing your power bill.
Christmas lights are a festive sign of the season, but do you know how much they cost you to run during the holidays? The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) reports that lighting accounts for around 15% of an average home's electricity use.
This comes at a time when inflation remains high, and most of us are paying more for energy bills.
Thankfully, we've rounded up some helpful energy statistics and tips on how you can whittle down your Christmas lights' impact on your bottom line.
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Christmas lights: How much do they cost to run
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average electricity rate in the US for August 2026 is 18.16 cents per kilowatt-hour. To calculate your own festive light bill, use the following formula:
[wattage/1000 x time in hours] x cost per kWh in cents = cost to run Christmas lights
Holiday Home Ideas reports a 100-bulb LED mini string draws 4 to 7 watts, compared with 40 to 50 for incandescent, so ten LED strings run six hours a night through the season cost about $1.50 to $2.60 in electricity at 17 cents a kWh, versus $15 to $18 for the same display in incandescent.
As you can see, the bulb you choose can save you real money during the holiday season. While many older lights are made with incandescent bulbs, switching to LED lights can help you cut your costs drastically.
Southern California Edison (SCE), one of the largest U.S. utility companies, reports that energy costs can double based on the type of Christmas lights you choose. SCE contends that LEDs are less expensive and last much longer than standard C-7 bulbs or mini-lights. LEDs are also much cooler and safer since there's no filament or breakable glass.
SCE adds that certain LED holiday lights can be used for up to 200,000 hours, and that bright, colorful LEDs can reduce holiday lighting costs by up to 90%.
The same LED string could still be in use for 40 holiday seasons from now, according to DoE.
Try solar Christmas lights to save more
Solar Christmas lights are a way to save even more money over the long term on your holiday energy bills. The DoE explains that outdoor solar lights use solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity is stored in batteries for use at night.
Just do your research before buying. The DoE cautions that "nightly run time" listings on most outdoor solar lighting systems are based on specific sunlight conditions.
Less sunny regions, especially in the winter, can expect shorter runtime per night than average. Operating times in the winter months may vary by as much as 30% — 50% unless the solar lighting system has been sized specifically for winter operation.
Also, if you live in the West or South, Super El Niño might impact your lighting plans. The EIA found that these regions will likely have more rainy weather this winter.
Overall, by taking these factors into account, you can have a festive-looking home without higher energy bills.
- Set a four to six-hour window: Program your lights to turn on at dusk and off around 11 so you don't waste energy overnight.
- Use outdoor smart plugs: You can sync stop and start times with your phone.
- Laser light projections: This allows you to illuminate a larger area on a single plug, while giving your home a festive glow and eliminating any safety risks from climbing ladders.
- Reflective decor: Metallic ornaments or glassy bows can enhance your home's decorations without adding to the energy bill.
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