Short Answer: Not Really—And LED Lights Use So Little Power That Most Households Won’t Notice the Difference

Here’s my honest view: the idea that Christmas lights dramatically inflate your electricity bill is outdated. The myth made sense in the 1990s when most homes used incandescent strings that pulled 40 watts per set. But today, LED Christmas lights are the standard, and they consume around 80–90 percent less electricity.

Yes, Christmas lights use power. But for the average American home, the seasonal cost is typically just a few dollars—sometimes less than the price of a latte. Example: One 100-light LED string (about 4 watts total) used for 8 hours a day over 30 days costs roughly $0.35 at the U.S. average residential electricity rate of 17 cents per kWh (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2024).

The bottom line: When you use LEDs, holiday lighting is not a budget concern.

How Much Electricity Do Christmas Lights Use?

Christmas lights draw power based on bulb type, wattage, and the number of hours they run. The vast difference in energy consumption between incandescent and LED lights is the real story here.

Incandescent bulbs produce light by heating a filament—an inefficient process that wastes most energy as heat. LEDs create light through electroluminescence, requiring far less power.

From my standpoint, incandescent Christmas lights simply have no practical justification anymore. They use significantly more electricity and offer no advantage in brightness or durability.

LED vs Incandescent Christmas Lights (Wattage Comparison Table)

Light Type	Typical Wattage per 100 Lights	Monthly Cost (8 hrs/day, 30 days)
Incandescent mini lights	40W	~$4.08
LED mini lights	4W	~$0.41
Incandescent C9 bulbs	175W	~$17.85
LED C9 bulbs	2W–8W	~$0.20–$0.82

Calculations based on 17¢/kWh U.S. average electricity rate (EIA).

This is where user expectations and reality diverge. Incandescent C9 bulbs can be shockingly inefficient, running over $15 a month—while LED versions cost well under $1. The difference is too large to ignore.

Real-World Cost Examples

Small Display

• Five 100-light LED strings
• 4W each = 20W total
• Used 8 hours/day for 30 days

Seasonal cost: about $2.04

Typical Suburban Display

• Ten LED strings and a pre-lit tree
• Total ~50W

Seasonal cost: around $5.10

Large Holiday Display

Even a larger, enthusiastic setup using LEDs—say, 200 watts total—costs only about $20.40 for the entire season. My view: LEDs make big displays practical for nearly everyone. The cost difference between small and large displays is surprisingly small when LEDs dominate the setup.

How to Calculate Your Own Electricity Usage

Here’s the simple formula I encourage every homeowner to use:

Cost = (Wattage × Hours per day × Days) ÷ 1000 × Electricity rate

Example:

50 watts × 8 hours × 30 days = 12,000 watt-hours

12,000 ÷ 1000 = 12 kWh

12 kWh × $0.17 = $2.04

Anyone can use this formula to estimate their actual costs without guesswork.

How to Reduce Electricity Usage Without Losing the Magic

I take a practical stance here: reducing electricity doesn’t mean scaling back holiday cheer. It means being smart about lighting choices.

Switch to LEDs

This is the single most effective move. LED strings cost slightly more upfront but pay for themselves in a single season.

Use Timers

Most households don’t need lights on past 11 p.m. A simple plug-in timer eliminates unnecessary overnight usage.

Level Up: Consider Permanent Smart Lighting

If you want to maximize efficiency and avoid the yearly routine of climbing ladders, untangling wires, and replacing broken strings, consider upgrading to a permanent outdoor smart lighting system such as Decktok.

These systems stay nearly invisible during the day but provide fully customizable LED lighting at night. Because Decktok’s lights are app-controlled, you get precise control over your energy use—scheduling exact on/off times, setting dimming levels, and creating automated holiday presets without any physical setup.

In my view, this is the ultimate “set it and forget it” solution. It combines long-term energy savings with year-round curb appeal, and once you install it, you’ll never go back to traditional seasonal light strings.

Choose Targeted Displays

Focus on areas that make an impact—rooflines, entryways, trees close to the house. These create a dramatic effect without sprawling wattage.

Avoid Old Inflatables

Modern LED-lit inflatables are reasonably efficient, but older models can draw 100 watts or more. If you’re concerned about energy use, upgrade or limit them.

Smart Plugs and Schedules

Use smart plugs to control lights remotely and ensure nothing stays on longer than necessary.

Are Christmas Lights Bad for the Environment?

Incandescent holiday lights absolutely waste electricity, and at scale, inefficiency matters. That said, modern LED holiday lights have a minimal environmental footprint. They last for years, use very little power, and generate almost no heat.

In my opinion, the real issue isn’t Christmas lights—it’s holding onto outdated incandescent technology. When homeowners switch to LEDs, the environmental impact becomes negligible.

Choosing the Most Energy-Efficient Christmas Lights

You don’t need to overthink this. Look for the following on packaging:

• LED bulbs
• Energy Star label when available
• Wattage listed per string
• UL safety certification
• For big displays: commercial-grade LEDs with sealed housings

LED technology is mature, reliable, and widely available. At this point, choosing anything else is a waste of energy and money.

Final Thoughts

My position is clear: Christmas lights do not take a lot of electricity when you choose LEDs. The cost is so modest that most households won’t see any meaningful jump in their bill. The idea that holiday lighting is an energy burden belongs to a different era.

If you’re still using incandescent Christmas lights, you’re paying significantly more for an inferior product. Upgrading to LEDs is a practical, cost-effective choice that improves safety, durability, and efficiency.

LEDs make it entirely possible to enjoy a bright, festive home without worrying about wasted energy or inflated utility bills.