For many families, the holiday season may not be complete without a festive lighting display.
But how much does it cost to run Christmas lights? Breaking down the typical cost of running Christmas lights can help with saving on your utility bill over the holidays.
Keep in mind that other costs can drive up electric bills during the holidays, apart from Christmas lights.
The simplest answer is to look at the wattage of Christmas lights, based on bulb size and number of bulbs per strand.
The average household pays $0.14 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
According to the Department of Energy, residential LEDs that are ENERGY STAR rated use up to 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lights.
A higher-than-usual electric bill can put a damper on your holiday celebrations. Estimating your potential costs beforehand can help you manage utility expenses.