5 Surprising Benefits of LED Holiday Lights Beyond Energy Savings

For one thing, they're less breakable than other lights.

Yes, LED holiday lights save energy. Up to 75% less energy than the old-fashioned kind, according to the U.S. government’s Energy Star program.

But there are more advantages to LEDs than energy savings. Here are 5 other reasons to switch to LED Christmas lights.

#1 They're More Durable

They don't have filaments or glass, so they're less likely to break or be damaged as you string them up and down.

#2 LED Holiday Lights Last and Last

LED bulbs can keep your season bright for as long as 100,000 hours, says Cathy Choi, president of Moonachie, N.J.-based Bulbrite, which manufactures LED and regular bulbs. That’s substantially longer than the life of your old holiday light strings.

#3 You Can String a BIG Strand of Lights

Safety wise, you shouldn’t connect more than three traditional light strings, but you can connect at least 10 with LEDs and up to 87 in some cases, totaling a whopping 1,500 feet, Choi says. So blow your neighbor's display away by cocooning your house in lights:

• You won’t have to buy as many extension cords.
• You can take your holiday lighting display further away from the outlet.

#4 They Reduce the Risk of Fire

They stay cooler than incandescent bulbs, according to Energy Star.

#5 They Now Come in Warmer Hues

Some people stick with their old lights because they don’t like the brighter hue that white LED holiday lights emit. But manufacturers now offer a “warm white” bulb that more closely mimics the glow of an incandescent light. Be sure to read the label to choose a bright or warm white and to ensure what you’re purchasing is Energy Star-certified.

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