LED lights are relatively new to the Christmas light market, but have grown in popularity quickly over the past several years. Unlike traditional bulbs that use a filament to produce light, LEDs have a Light Emitting Diode. The diodes are what produced the different colored light in LED Christmas lights, not the color of the bulb. LED describes a light source as opposed to the shape or size of the bulb, therefore, LED lights can be mini and twinkle lights of any size or color.
LED Christmas lights have become very popular for a number of reasons. One is that LED lights, because they do not use a filament, do not heat up like traditional bulbs. In fact, LED XMas lights, stay cool to the touch, and many safety organizations ask people to consider them for the Christmas tree lighting as a safety precaution. Plastic, not glass, are what make up the bulb for LED lights, and therefore do not need quite as much care when being stored, since the likelihood of breaking them is much smaller than with glass bulbs.
Energy efficiency and LED Christmas lights go hand in hand. LED string lights use only 15% as much electricity as “regular”or incandescent Christmas lights, and the average lifespan for a LED light string is between 50,000-100,000 hours. Since they use so much less energy, many strands of lights can be strung together and plugged into an outlet without worry of overloading the outlet. Since the light is produced by a diode, and not a filament problems with non functioning bulbs is far less frequent with LED lights, though extra bulbs are often included just in case.
As with incandescent bulbs, check to make sure that your LED string lights carry the seal of the Underwriters Laboratories, or UL. UL is an independent, international organization that tests various products for safety and uniformity. When Xmas lights have been UL approved, you know that they have met UL standards. If no seal is present, it’s hard to know what, if any safety standards the lights adhere to. It’s also important to double check that your LED lights are being used for their intended purpose, use indoor lights only indoors, and for outdoor use purchase lights labelled as such. Especially in the case with LED lights, since the housing for the bulb is often sealed for LED lights intended for outside use.
Since LED lights use such a small amount of energy, Christmas lights that can last a long time on batteries are great for wreaths, table-top displays, crafts, or anywhere you don’t have an easy electricity source. LED lights have become a very popular option for brides and grooms on a budget, and can be purchased on white strings to be easily hidden with light colored decor.
Mini lights, twinkle lights, for Christmas displays, weddings, crafts, outside lighting, all powered by a long lasting LED, it’s easy to see why LED lights have become so popular so quickly. The lights you purchase today, very well may be lighting up your Christmas lights display for years to come.
For additional details and to learn about the benefits of these bulbs please read our LED Lighting Guide.
