Using LED Christmas lights in place of conventional Christmas lights can make your holiday season greener. Most stores that stock their shelves with Christmas shelves carry LED Christmas lights, too. A greener Christmas really is a possibility!

LED Christmas lights, which consume less energy than their traditional counterparts, also last ten times longer. They use 75% less energy. Imagine saving on your energy bill during this holiday season when you use this type of lighting.

LED Christmas lights are available in various sizes and shapes, like “mini” and “globe” — just like traditional string lights. They can be found in the form of icicles and nets as well. With so many options available, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the color or style you want.

Further, LED Christmas lights are safer to use than conventional lights. You can connect numerous strings together without worrying about overheating them. But you should still check the box or manual to find out the recommended number of strings that can be safely connected.

If you want to be really energy conscious, choose LED Christmas lights that are solar powered. These lights are more energy friendly because they harness the energy of the sun. Some models are designed to light up at night. You can usually get a string of 50 lights on Amazon for less than $20. Therefore, you can save energy as well as money if you purchase this type of LED lighting strands.

Sometimes people balk at the initial cost of LED Christmas lights. Of course, there’s no denying that traditional incandescent bulbs cost less than strands of LED lights. However, the higher initial cost is easily offset by greener and more efficient lighting solutions.

If you can’t spend money on LED Christmas lights and still have working incandescent lights, you can buy Christmas light timers for your existing lights. These timers are designed to regulate the energy usage of your lights. Not only that, they can also make your house more burglar-proof by giving the appearance that someone is at home (turning the lights on and off) when you’re actually away for the holidays.

You should observe safety protocols regardless of whether you use LED or incandescent Christmas lights. For instance, by making sure you don’t pull on the cord when you unplug the lights, you can prevent tearing of the wiring inside. Check also for non-working bulbs or damage before you pack up and store light strands. Don’t use lights that have loose connections, broken sockets, or bare wires. Store Christmas Lights, and any electrical decorations, in a dry place where they can’t be damaged by water. Keep them out of children’s reach during storage, to ensure the wires are not damaged.

Christmas is a time of celebration, family, giving, and religion. It can also be a time to think about the future of our planet and take a few extra steps to make it greener. Lots of little steps can go a long way, so don’t forget that every little bit counts.

About the author: Megan Barlow helps others learn to live more eco-friendly lives. Find out more about sustainable living at her blog on Green and Eco-Friendly Gadgets.

This article was originally posted at Use LED Christmas Lights for a Greener Holiday.