Do Outdoor String Lights Use A Lot Of Electricity

Do Outdoor String Lights Use a Lot of Electricity?

Outdoor string lights are a popular way to add a festive touch to patios, decks, and gardens. But you may wonder if they use a lot of electricity, especially if you plan to leave them on for extended periods. Here's what you need to know about the energy consumption of outdoor string lights.

Factors Affecting Energy Consumption

The amount of electricity used by outdoor string lights depends on several factors:

Bulb type: LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient option, followed by CFLs and incandescent bulbs.
Number of bulbs: More bulbs will naturally consume more electricity.
Length of string: Longer strings with more bulbs will also draw more power.
Burn time: The longer you leave the lights on, the more electricity they will use.

How Much Electricity Do Outdoor String Lights Use?

As a general rule of thumb, a 100-foot string of lights with 100 LED bulbs will consume approximately 12 watts of electricity per hour. This equates to about 0.012 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per hour. If you leave the lights on for 10 hours, they will use 0.12 kWh of electricity.

For comparison, a typical incandescent light bulb uses about 60 watts of electricity per hour, so a 100-foot string of incandescent lights would consume about 6 kWh per hour. This is significantly more energy than LED lights.

Energy-Saving Tips

If you're concerned about the energy consumption of outdoor string lights, consider the following tips:

Use LED bulbs: LED bulbs are up to 90% more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs.
Limit the number of bulbs: Use only as many bulbs as necessary to achieve the desired brightness.
Choose a shorter string: If you only need to light a small area, choose a shorter string with fewer bulbs.
Set a timer: Use a timer to automatically turn the lights on and off at specific times.

By following these tips, you can enjoy the ambiance of outdoor string lights without worrying about excessive electricity consumption.