LED Christmas Lights

As you decorate this Christmas, consider LED Christmas lights.  What is LED? A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that converts electricity to light by using the movement of electrons.  So what does that mean to you and the environment?

Benefits of LED Christmas Lights

1. Energy consumption. This is general information for all LED bulbs.  In the US, one kilowatt-hour of electricity will cause 1.34 pounds (610 g) of CO₂ emission.  Assuming the average light bulb is on for 10 hours a day, one 40-watt incandescent bulb will cause 196 pounds (89 kg) of CO₂ emission per year. The 6-watt LED equivalent will only cause 30 pounds (14 kg) of CO₂ over the same time span. A building’s carbon footprint from lighting can be reduced by 85%.
2. Economical. LED light bulbs could be a cost-effective option for lighting because of their very long lifetimes.
3. Environment.  LED lighting contains no mercury or other toxins. LEDs emit no ultra violet (UV) light, so they don’t attract bugs. The small bulbs don’t generate much heat, so they are cool to the touch.   This is a good thing particularly at Christmas time – reducing the chance of fire.

LED – Not Just Green

LED Christmas lights are popular holiday lights due to their energy saving features and long bulb life, and they burn nice and bright.  LED lights are more expensive to purchase, but save money in the long run.  “The real advantage of LEDs is longevity,” said Jeffrey Harris, senior vice president at Alliance to Save Energy. “You don’t have to buy a new string of lights every couple of years.”  According to the EPA, 100 million decorative light strings are sold every year, representing a huge opportunity to reduce the yuletide carbon footprint. Therefore, buying an LED string is kinder to the planet.

So, three awesome reasons to switch to LED Christmas lights – save money, save energy, and save the environment!

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode