December 1, 2016.
SAINT PAUL – Are you still stringing the same old
incandescent decorative lights for the holidays?
The Minnesota Commerce Department advises that you can save money this year and for many holiday seasons to come by replacing outdated, energy-hogging lights with
high-efficiency, long-lasting light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.
When shopping for new holiday lights, look for the ENERGY
STAR® label to ensure that the product meets strict federal energy
efficiency guidelines. ENERGY STAR-qualified lighting, as well as appliances
and electronics, use less energy than their older, inefficient counterparts.
ENERGY
STAR-qualified LED decorative lights are an economical choice because they use 75
percent less power than conventional lights and they can last up to 10 times
longer.
Other
advantages of LEDs include:
Safety. LEDs are cool
to the touch, reducing the risk of fire.
Durable. LEDs do not
have moving parts, filaments or glass, so they are much more resilient and
shock-resistant than other light strings.
Wide range of
choices. LEDs are available in a variety of colors, shapes and
lengths.
Up-to-date
features. LEDs offer the latest features and functions such as
dimming and color shifting.
The cost of buying and operating LED C-9 lights for 10 holiday
seasons is about $18 compared with $122 for incandescent C-9 bulbs, according
to the U.S. Department of Energy Energy Saver. Using
timers or dimmers can save even more energy.
Watch for rebates to help defray the cost of LEDs and
other energy-efficient lighting products. Many electric utilities offer rebates
for LEDs. (Visit www.dsireusa.org to learn about utility rebates or contact your utility directly.) Learn more about decorative LEDs
at the
ENERGY STAR website.
Finally: Be
sure to recycle your old holiday lights. The Recycling Association of Minnesota provides a guide to recycling
locations in Minnesota.
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Minnesota Energy Tips is
provided twice a month by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of
Energy Resources. If you have an energy question, contact the Department’s Energy
Information Center at energy.info@state.mn.us or 800-657-3710.
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