If you’re like a lot of folks, you will barely swallow your last bite of Thanksgiving turkey before you’re breaking out the boxes of Christmas decorations. Ornaments, holly and stockings are fine for some, but each year many of us have grand plans for the annual holiday lights extravaganza we plan to create. If you’re a producer of one of these light show spectaculars, consider replacing your old strings of holiday lights with energy-saving LED light bulbs this season.

You’ll likely use hundreds, if not thousands, of lights for your annual decorating ritual. CPS Energy recommends ENERGY STAR®-qualified, LED decorative lights for your tree or outside light displays for several reasons:

• Most LED bulbs consume 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs, offering you a little relief on at least one of your after-Christmas bills.
• LED strings last up to 10 times longer (as many as 200,000 hours) than incandescent strings.
• LED strings are more durable and shock-resistant than conventional light strings -- no filaments or glass bulbs to break.
• LEDs are cool to the touch – reducing the risk of fire.
• LEDs come in a variety of colors, shapes and lengths.

In short, while LED light strings may cost a few dollars more at the time of purchase, you’ll save energy and money every year with LED strings when you decorate and celebrate the holidays.

What is an LED?
LEDs, or light emitting diodes, are small light sources that are illuminated by the movement of electrons through a semiconductor material. LEDs are exceptionally energy efficient when producing individual colors, many using up to 90% less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light. For example, the amount of electricity consumed by just one 7-watt incandescent bulb could power 140 LEDs — enough to light two 24-foot strings.