It may be time to retire some of the large incandescent Christmas lights you have been bringing out every year. You can save a bundle on your power bill by switching to LED Christmas lights. Here's a comparison of the new LED lights compared to small and large incandescent bulbs.
| # of Lights | Type of Light | Energy Usage of Bulb | 225 Hours* (5 hours per day for 45 days) | Average Operating Cost* |
| 300 | New LED Lights | 0.043 watts | 2.9 kW/h | $ .47 |
| 300 | Mini Incandescent | 0.45 watts | 30.38 kW/h | $ 4.92 |
| 300 | Large Incandescent | 7.00 watts | 472.5 kW/h | $ 76.55 |
| * Calculated using the average residential rate effective September 1, 2006. |
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Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I would like any input or experiences on whether these lights (Solar Christmas Lights for Patio Railing and Decor) are worth buying and if they are bright enough to see at night.
http://www.outdoorsolarstore.com/solar-powered-Christmas-lights.aspx
Thank you and blessings.
By Robyn Fed from Tri-Cities, TN
They can be seen at night, however, how well will depend on the amount of daylight they receive. I put my first ones up yesterday and they were nice and bright, until I went to bed about 10:30-11:00 PM. From what I have read they are supposed to run for about 8 hours, however, I am sure that will depend on the amount of actual sunlight that they receive. I had the solar panels laying inside my patio door for a few days and they don't receive a lot of light, depending on the weather.
Anyone know where I can buy the indoor mini lights online for a cheap price. I need them for the glass blocks I am making and need quite a few strings.
I would check with local dollar store or if you don't have one of them check with Walmart or Kmart you should get them for around a dollar.
Check the Dollar stores for lights...and use the 20 light strands otherwise the glass blocks get too hot.
Definitely the $store, they sell the very small strings of lights, never seen the 20's in walmart or kmart. 35 may be okay as far as number goes, but even if you could get 50 in the block, there'd be too many for appearance and the heat factor.
Definitely the $store, they sell the very small strings of lights, never seen the 20's in walmart or kmart. 35 may be okay as far as number goes, but even if you could get 50 in the block, there'd be too many for appearance and the heat factor.
Carrie, i have read many posts from you asking how to do the glass block decorations. I just wanted to let you know that around here they don't sell very well. I did a craft show a few weeks ago and the lady next to me had a whole table full of them, and at the end she had only sold one block. Just a thought, if you are making them to sell.
Thanks sandy...but I actually sold 10 this week!
I am in Canada, where are you located?
Thanks Sandy. I actually sold 10 of them this week.
I am in Canada, not sure where you are?
I also found lights at Canadian Tire in all colors with no connector plug which are perfect.
Carrie, I use 50 bulbs on mine. Looking on line too. Can't seem to beat Best Lots Store price of 1.99. Then after Christmas for 50 % off is even better!
Bonnie WV
Tips for Saving Money on Christmas Lights. Post your ideas below.
