LED Christmas Light Guide

Millions of people have been making the switch from traditional, incandescent Christmas lights to LED (Light-Emitting Diode) Christmas lights. While the conversion can be a bit costly, and some people may even take years to completely change out their Christmas lights, the use of LED lights for Christmas displays has been growing every year.

LED Christmas Lights: The Benefits

LED Christmas lights make a great choice for anybody who is trying to cut back on energy consumption. Because LED Christmas lights provide, on average, 50,000 hours of service and use 90% less energy than traditional Christmas lights, LEDs not only cost less to run, they actually emit fewer carbon emissions.

LEDs can also appear a little cheerier than their incandescent cousins. LED Christmas lights actually appear brighter and more-boldly colored than incandescent bulbs. And LED Christmas lights are becoming just as versatile as incandescent bulbs, with icicles, stars, and garland among the type of lighting options you will see.

LEDs are also safer to use than incandescent bulbs. Why? Because they burn cooler than incandescent bulbs. LEDs are cool to the touch, meaning the chances of a fire starting due to bulb overheating are far lower with the LED Christmas lights than with LEDs.

LED Christmas Lights: The Drawbacks

LEDs do have a few not-so-great elements. Currently, the higher upfront cost is one of those problems. Some sets cost five times as much as a string of traditional Christmas lights. Lower-quality, non-rectified LEDs flicker at the perceptible 60 hertz rate; go for a rectified 120-hertz LED set to avoid noticing the flickering. LED Christmas light sets with socketed bulbs have been known to rust, and when these LED light sets fail the result is often half a string or more going out at a time.

Buying LED Christmas Lights

Going out and buying a single string of LED Christmas lights is usually a $10-20 transaction, depending on what type of lights you buy - factors like colors, length, number of lights, and brand are all variables. Philips and GE are both very good brands which have been producing LEDs for years now. Both companies are highly respected in electronics and offer a variety of LED Christmas lighting options which will make decorating your house, business, or Christmas tree all the more fun.

Regardless of what brand you buy, make sure your lights are UL listed - avoid any lights which do not have a UL listing. Generally speaking, go for the 120 hertz, rectified lights. Some kits have replacement bulbs included, which will make your job a tad easier when it comes time to change out that dim, broken, or missing bulb.

Look for LEDs with warranties; if you have a problem, you will have recourse.

Don't scrimp on price. There are plenty of "cheapo" LEDs on the market, but what you don't pay for in price you may suffer for in lighting failure, rusting sockets, or that flickering commonly associated with lower-end, non-rectified LED lighting.

Finally, don't forget to buy the right kind of light! If you plan on using your new LED Christmas lights outdoors, buy lights rated for outdoor use. As simple as that may sound, it is a fairly common point that is overlooked by many consumers who forget to check the box to see what type of setting their LED lights are rated for.

Decorating Tips

LEDs are highly versatile. While decking the Christmas tree in electric lights has become a decades-old tradition, don't forget to line the eaves and gutters of your house with lighting. Many people like hanging colored LED lights on and around the exterior of their homes, and LED Christmas lights are also found in a variety of shape and symbol configurations, which can give your home an extra dose of holiday spirit.

LED Christmas light garland is perfect for stringing from exposed rafters and beams, and the LED-outfitted Christmas yard ornaments - such as animated deer and helix-inspired Christmas trees - make perfect ways to show off LED lighting technology.