Led Vs Incandescent Christmas Lights: Which is the Better Choice?

Lighting is an important consideration in your holiday decor. The lights you choose will make a difference in your display appearance and your energy savings. It’s essential to make the right decision. 

LED and incandescent Christmas lights are two popular options. But which is best suited to your needs? You must compare LED versus incandescent Christmas lights before hanging your display.

Let’s start by defining both lighting types. You can base your LED vs regular Christmas lights decision on their characteristics. 

Although LED lights are newer than other lightbulbs, they are quickly becoming a popular household option. They use light-emitting diodes, rather than filaments, to produce light. They don’t contain mercury or heat up during use.

Incandescent Christmas lights are also referred to as ‘traditional’ or ‘regular’ Christmas lights because they were once the main holiday lighting option. When turned on, they heat a filament to produce light. As a result, they often become hot to the touch. 

Now you understand how both lights work. But what is the difference between LED and incandescent Christmas lights? There are several differences to consider when making your decision.

LED lights come out ahead in terms of energy efficiency. A U.S. Department of Energy report states they use 90% less energy than regular bulbs. Incandescent bulbs can lead to energy bill increases of 17 to 25% compared to LED lighting making them the best choice for homes and businesses that want to save money and help the environment during the holiday season.

The filaments in incandescent bulbs have resistance properties that cause heat to escape. This characteristic reduces their efficiency.

Lifespan is another consideration in the Christmas lights LED or incandescent debate. Unfortunately for incandescent fans, LED lights win in this category as well. They provide about 25,000 hours of light-up time compared to incandescent bulbs’ 1,000 hours.

LED lights are also more durable in outdoor environments. Incandescent lights can break in extreme temperatures while LED lights endure in various climates. Their durability also enhances their lifetime value.

Brightness and color quality is a huge factor in Christmas displays. It’s especially important for businesses that wish to remain competitive. If your display doesn’t outshine the competitors, you may miss out on foot traffic and conversions.

When it comes to the brightness and color quality of Christmas LED vs incandescent lights, incandescent lights may win out in this category. Some people feel that LED lights are too harsh or cool compared to their incandescent counterparts. However, current technology has made some LED lights more competitive.

Safety is another LED vs incandescent Christmas lights concern. Holiday displays require a huge amount of electricity. No one wants to be at risk when installing lights or while displays are activated. 

LED lights are the best choice for safety. Incandescent lights miss the mark because they heat up to extreme temperatures and don’t dissipate heat well. They are more likely to cause a fire.

The glass of incandescent lights is also brittle and shatters easily posing another hazard.

When comparing Christmas tree lights LED vs incandescent, LED lights are the more economical option.

Incandescent lights are less expensive reducing upfront costs. However, LED lights will save you more in the long run because they are energy efficient and longer lasting. You will save on energy bills and replacement costs. 

Let’s sum up the pros and cons of LED vs non-LED Christmas lights so you can make the right choice for your home or business.

LED Pros:

• Energy Efficient
• Long-lasting
• Stays cool hence not as likely to start a fire
• A money-saving option considering electricity and replacement costs

LED Cons:

• Not as bright and colorful as incandescent bulbs
• Higher upfront costs

Incandescent Bulbs Pros:

• Brighter and more colorful than LED bulbs
• Lower upfront costs

Incandescent Bulb Cons:

• They heat up so they increase the risk of burns and fire
• They don’t last as long as LED bulbs
• They lose heat and are not as energy-efficient as LED bulbs
• Despite low upfront costs, they can cost you more in the long run due to high energy bills and replacement costs

Cost, energy efficiency, brightness, color qualify, lifespan and safety are some things to consider when comparing outdoor Christmas lights LED vs incandescent. Here are other factors to think about:

Color Choices: In modern times, we have veered away from traditional red and green lights. Now there are so many options to choose from. White lights  provide a frosted, twinking look. Blue Christmas lights produce an ice-like effect. Pink lights make your home look like a candy house. Can’t decide? Color-changing lights could be an ideal solution.

Light Types: Modern designers can choose from various light types including icicles, weeping willows, string lights, net lights, micro-lights… and the list goes on. Consider the items you will decorate ( trees, wreaths, etc.) and the look you wish to create to find the ideal options. 

Bulb Size and Spacing: Large bulbs produce more light. They will create a fun, bright appearance. Due to their size, they should be well-spaced. Small lights are subtle and elegant. Although they can be spaced more closely together, some may prefer ample spacing to maintain a sophisticated appearance. 

When considering LED vs incandescent Christmas lights, you may be unsure which to choose due to the benefits both provide. Or you may have incandescent lights from years ago, but wish to update to LEDs for their energy benefits. In these instances, you may want to combine LED and incandescent lights.

You won’t find strings with both light types, but you may combine strings of incandescent lights and strings of LED lights on your tree, walls, and outdoor spaces. You can enjoy the brightness of incandescent lights while taking advantage of LED’s energy efficiency and durability. 

LED and incandescent lights offer their share of pros and cons. Dekra-Lite offers various light options ensuring you find one suited to your needs. Shop our selection and get ready to light up your property during the holiday season. Contact us with any questions you may have.

Incandescent Christmas lights are generally safe, but they can pose a risk of overheating. Keep them away from flammable items to prevent fires. Try not to run them too long to reduce risk. 

Yes, you can leave LED Christmas lights on all night. They will not overheat or pose a safety risk. However, while energy-efficient, they still require energy which can lead to higher bills and environmental issues.

LED lights generally will not get hot enough to start a fire. However, issues like overloaded outlets and damaged wires could cause electrical hazards. Ensure your systems are safe before use. 

The choice between LED and incandescent lights is down to personal preference. However, many people choose LED lights because they are energy-efficient, safe, and long-lasting.

Incandescent bulbs are being phased out. The U.S. Department of Energy, under the Biden Administration, announced the phaseout of these bulbs in 2022. The ban went into effect in 2023 to reduce energy consumption in the United States. 

However, Christmas lights are not affected by the ban. Exempt items include black lights, bug lamps, colored lamps (including Christmas lights), infrared lamps, plant lamps, flood lights, reflector lamps, and traffic signals. The DOE will target fluorescent lamps next.