It's that time of year again! Time to partake in the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, the smell of fresh cedar and pine, and enjoy the beautiful display of outdoor Christmas lights. The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but what isn’t so wonderful is that electricity bill at the end of the month. No matter how you slice it or dice it, homeowners are always shocked and surprised by the excess electricity costs their home incurs from their outdoor Christmas lights. There are countless ways to offset these costs, but only a few solutions the homeowner can see savings with instantly!
The best and most beneficial way to offset your homes electricity costs is by going solar. However, going solar during the holiday season can seem a bit overwhelming. So, a more practical and easy way to go solar, before you install solar panels, is to invest in solar outdoor Christmas lights. Here’s how they work.
Normal outdoor Christmas lights utilize electricity you pay for from your local electricity provider. Outdoor solar powered Christmas lights; however, utilize energy from the sun, which means they won’t burn out! They also use LED bulbs, which tend to be on the brighter side than traditional light bulbs. This feature comes in handy for the holidays. The lights work by way of rechargeable batteries that get their energy from the sun. When the sun sets for the day, the attached sensor will signal to the rechargeable battery, turning the solar outdoor lights on. In addition, another nice advantage of solar Christmas lights is that they don’t require an extension cord, allowing you to place your lights anywhere. Most solar Christmas lights come with an attached stake, which you can place in a sunny spot of your choosing.
So how much do solar Christmas lights cost? Typically, solar Christmas lights will have a higher initial cost than traditional store-bought lights. However, even with this, solar Christmas lights will help you save money by offsetting your electricity bills and annual Christmas light purchases. A typical strand of outdoor Christmas lights for the holidays will cost you between $10 and $30 for a 100-foot strand of lights. Local and online retailers typically carry outdoor Christmas lights in both colored and white bulb options depending on the homeowner's preference. With these conveniences, not only is it easier to install your outdoor Christmas lights but it also helps you save money during the holidays. Additionally, even if you’ve already purchased your traditional lights for the holidays, most online and local retailers will have sales after the holidays to get rid of extra merchandise. These sales ensure you get a great deal!
Additionally, if you want to offset your electricity costs, not only during the holidays, it’s best to invest in solar power now. Additionally, 2019 is the last year to take advantage of the full Federal Tax Credit before it starts decreasing. In 2020, the tax credit will decrease to 4% and continue year after year until it disappears. Homeowners who go solar also add value to their property, decrease their electricity bills to $10-$15 per month, and decrease their ecological footprint by producing their own energy. Furthermore, going solar in any way is not only better for the environment but also better for your wallet. So make your resolution now, and invest in solar today!
