LED vs incandescent Christmas lights

Energy use

ENERGY STAR says a certified decorative light string uses approximately 70% less energy than an incandescent string, and Natural Resources Canada puts certified LED strings at 75% less on average. To put it another way, the electricity used by one 7-watt incandescent bulb could power 140 LEDs. Single-colour LED strings save the most, using up to 90% less than incandescent bulbs.

That matters most for outdoor displays, which run for hours every night for six weeks or more. The more bulbs on the house, the bigger the gap on the December power bill.

Safety

Incandescent bulbs make light by heating a filament, so they run warm. ENERGY STAR notes that LED light strings are cool to the touch, which reduces the risk of fire, a real consideration for lights wrapped through dry shrubs or strung along wooden trim.

One rule from the ENERGY STAR guidance: never connect LED strings to incandescent strings.

Lifespan and cost

Incandescent strings cost less at the store, but ENERGY STAR certified strings last up to 10 times longer and come with a three-year warranty, so you replace them far less often. Over several seasons the lower running cost and fewer replacements usually outweigh the higher price up front.

Commercial-grade vs store-bought LED

The commercial-grade C9 and C7 bulbs and heavy cord we install are rated for outdoor winter use and are reinstalled year after year. When you hire us you never buy lights at all: we supply them, install them, keep them working all season, take them down in January and store them until next year.