.jpg)
Holiday lights only get used a few weeks a year. But leaving the wrong ones running every night will quickly drive up your energy bills.
The fix is simple. A few smart choices now mean you get the full display without the surprise cost later.
Switch to LED lights
ENERGY STAR certified LED light strings use about 75% less energy than old-style incandescent ones. The electricity used by just one 7-watt incandescent bulb could power 140 LEDs instead. That’s enough for two full 24-foot light strings.
If you’re still using incandescent lights from a few years back, this one swap does more for your energy bill than anything else on this list.
Set it and forget it
Use timers so your lights are only on during the hours you actually want them on, such as from the evening until bedtime. This way, you’ll get the wow factor when it matters, without paying to light up an empty street at 3 am.
Motion sensors work well for smaller accent lighting, turning lights on only when someone walks by.
Don’t light up more than you’ll actually enjoy
Bigger isn’t always better. Every extra strand adds to your energy use, and many oversized displays end up lighting areas that rarely get a second glance.
Focus your lights where people will actually see them: the front of the house, the main walkway, and maybe one tree. A smaller, well-placed display often looks better than a sprawling one.
Check your strings before you hang them
A string with a few broken bulbs still uses power for all of them. Before you put anything up, plug each string in and check for dead sections or bulbs. Fixing or replacing a bad string now, is easier than doing it from a ladder in the snow later.
Group displays on one outlet
Running several extension cords to different outlets is messy and makes it harder to know what’s actually plugged in and running.
Group your lights onto a single outlet with a timer, so everything turns on and off together instead of you having to track down five different switches.
Let someone else handle the big display
If you're planning something bigger than a few strings around the porch, it’s worth getting professional help. Go for energy-efficient LED lighting with built-in timers, so the whole display turns on and off on its own.
Looking for more ways to brighten your home while keeping energy use in check? Check out our guide on energy-efficient home office lighting.
Frequently asked questions about holiday lighting
Are LED holiday lights really that much more efficient?
Yes. ENERGY STAR certified LED light strings use about 75% less energy on average than incandescent ones.
Should I use a timer for holiday lights?
Yes. A timer makes sure your lights are only running when you actually want them on, instead of all night by accident.
Is it worth having holiday lights professionally installed?
For larger displays, yes. A professional install usually means better placement, safer setup, and equipment like automatic timers built in from the start.
How do I know if my holiday lights are energy-efficient?
Look for the ENERGY STAR label on the packaging. It means the lights have been tested and certified to use significantly less energy than standard incandescent strings.
When should I check my lights before putting them up?
Before you hang anything, plug each string in ahead of time to catch dead bulbs or sections. It’s much easier to fix on the ground than once it’s already up.
