How Much Will Your Holiday Lighting Add To Your Light Bill?
As the holidays approach, we need to know how much Christmas lights can change your energy bills.
According to Duke Energy, six 100-bulb sets of large, incandescent bulbs (600 bulbs total) plugged in six hours every evening can add up to $80 to a monthly power bill.
In comparison, using a similar set of LED bulbs would add only $7 to a monthly bill. Using a set of mini-LED bulbs would increase the bill by $1.
Duke Energy also has a series of reminders as the holidays approach:
- Before installing lights, check each set – new and old – for damaged sockets, loose connections and frayed or bare wires. Discard or replace damaged sets before using.
- Never use more than three standard-sized sets of lights per extension cord.
- Plug exterior lights into ground-fault interruptible (GFI) outlets only. If the home lacks outside GFI outlets, call an electrician to install them.
- Dust your light bulbs regularly, as dirt absorbs light and wastes energy.
- Before climbing a ladder, inspect it to ensure it’s in good working condition and follow the weight limits specified on the ladder. Ladders that lean against a wall or other support should be angled so the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is about one-quarter the working length of the ladder. Never use a ladder for any purpose other than for what it’s designed. Also, never use a ladder on or near power lines.
