Bright and efficient: A guide to holiday light energy usage

There’s nothing quite like the warm glow of holiday lights to make the season feel special. From twinkling rooflines to glowing lawn decor, festive displays brighten long winter nights and bring a little extra joy to our neighbourhoods and homes. But all that sparkle can also add up on your energy bill, especially if your lights are still running the old-fashioned way.

Let’s look at a few comparisons to see the difference:

Roofline lights (C9 bulbs)

• Incandescent C9s: Around 7 watts per bulb (≈ 700 W for a 100-bulb strand)
• LED C9s: Around 0.8 watts per bulb (≈ 80 W for a 100-bulb strand)

That’s nearly 90% less energy for the same warm glow. If you run them 6 hours a night for a month, LEDs could save you $10-$15 in electricity a month - just for your roofline display.

Mini lights for trees, banisters and small accents

• Incandescent minis: Around 40 watts for a 100-light strand
• LED minis: Around 5 watts per 100-light strand

Multiply the magic, not the bill

Let’s say you hang 100 C9 bulbs on your roofline and 300 mini-lights on your tree, and keep them both on for 6 hours each night in December:

• Incandescent monthly cost: $11.24 (roofline) + $1.93 (tree) = $13.17 for the month
• LED monthly cost: $1.28 (roofline) + $0.24 (tree) = $1.52 for the month

That’s an easy savings of over $11 every season with Encor’s fixed rate. Plus, you’ll have fewer trips to the store to replace burnt-out bulbs.

Energy-smart decorating tips

If you’re inspired to decorate efficiently this year, here are a few easy ways to make the most of your holiday display:

• Set it and forget it with timers or smart plugs. Program your lights to turn on at dusk and off before bedtime so you’re not lighting an empty yard at 2 am. Smart plugs even let your adjust schedules from your phone.
• Go all-in on LED. Gone are the days when LED bulbs were harshly bright. Today’s LED lights come in all sorts of tones and colours (warm whites, vintage glows, and multi-colour options) that rival the look of incandescent bulbs, so it really is a no-brainer.
• Use solar or battery-powered lights outdoors. These are great for accent features and don’t add a penny to your power bill. Just make sure to place the solar panel somewhere that won’t get covered in snow. -
• Focus on impact, not quantity. Highlight key areas like your front porch, roofline, or a single standout tree instead of covering every corner. You’ll save energy and make your display feel more intentional.

A brighter way to celebrate small changes

like switching to LEDs and setting up a timer, can make a big difference for both your wallet and the environment. By decorating thoughtfully, you can spend more time enjoying the glow of the holidays and less time worrying about your power bill.

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