Is It Expensive To Leave Lights On Overnight? That Holiday Display Could Cost You

For many people, the holidays can be a balancing act. On one hand, you want to go all-out with decorations and merriment to make the most of the season. On the other hand, you don't want to completely bust your budget. With this in mind,you may be wondering is it expensive to leave lights on overnight or should you shut off those icicle lights for the sake of your electricity bill?

Even if your local electric company doesn't raise any complaints, you may be losing some moolah by running those lights all night. Of course, your individual mileage may vary; lighting up an entire mansion will cost more than decking the hall of a studio apartment. Using general estimates, however, leaving a lit tree on all night may tack on an additional $14 to your electric bill, as noted by Inside Energy. What's more, running about 10 strands of LED lights would add about $2 to your bill, whereas the same amount of incandescent bulbs could increase your electrical costs by $19, as further explained by Inside Energy. These general estimates show it's smart to give the lights a break when you go to bed.

For the intense accounting types out there, basic estimates aren't enough. You want to know the exact costs of these lights so your budget is on track. I feel you. In this case, you may want to check out Christmas Light Source, which lets you input the number and type of bulbs you use to estimate your holiday lights energy costs. You can check the costs of LED lights against C7 bulbs according to the price you already pay for electricity. (Seriously, it's a fun calculator.)

If those bright lights have turned out to be more expensive than you anticipated, then there are plenty of ways you can save a little extra money. According to Energy.gov, LED lights are a fantastic choice, because they use about 70 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, making them more economical in the long run. Another simple way to cut back on costs is to (you guessed it) turn the lights off when you go to bed, as further explained by Energy.gov. If the last thing you need is one more item on your to-do list right now, then consider getting a timer for your lights so they'll shut off automatically. These simple measures of cutting electricity costs can help you keep a little extra jingle in your pocket come January.