How Much Electricity is Used During Christmas? Unwrapping Holiday Energy Use

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and twinkling lights covering as much square-footage as possible. Which means, it’s also a time when household electricity usage tends to spike. From strings of LEDs to festive inflatables, and even cozying up by the fireplace, Christmas brings plenty of opportunities to boost your energy consumption. But just how much electricity does all this holiday cheer use?

At 4Change Energy, we’re here to offer a low rate and help you understand your energy usage so you can enjoy the season while keeping costs in check. Let’s unwrap the details on holiday energy consumption, including tips for maximizing fireplace efficiency.

1. Decking the Halls: The Cost of Christmas Lights and Decorations

Holiday decorations are a staple of the season, and many families go all out with strings of lights, illuminated yard displays, and every inflatable character from your favorite space movies. While these decorations bring holiday spirit, they can also lead to a noticeable increase in your electricity bill.

Traditional Incandescent Lights vs. LED Lights

• Incandescent Lights: A string of 100 incandescent mini lights uses about 40-50 watts, while larger C9 bulbs use 175 watts per string of 25 bulbs.
• LED Lights: A string of 100 LED mini lights uses only 6-7 watts, and C9 LED bulbs consume about 24 watts per string of 25 bulbs.

Electricity Usage Comparison:
Running a string of 100 incandescent mini lights for 6 hours a day over 30 days will consume approximately 7.2 kWh, whereas the same length of LED lights will use only 1.26 kWh. That’s a savings of about 80% with LED lighting!

Inflatables and Other Decor

• Large outdoor inflatables often use 100-200 watts per hour, depending on their size.
• Running a 150-watt inflatable for 6 hours daily over a month could use 27 kWh, adding a few dollars to your monthly bill.

2. Fireplace Efficiency: Cozy or Costly?

Nothing says Christmas like gathering around a warm, wood burning fireplace. However, fireplaces can impact your energy efficiency more than you might think.

Wood-Burning Fireplaces

While charming, wood-burning fireplaces are surprisingly inefficient at heating your home. In fact, they can lose up to 90% of the heat they produce through the chimney, drawing in cold air from outside to replace it.

• Electric Impact: If your home relies on electric heating (like a heat pump), your heating system may need to work harder to maintain comfortable temperatures, especially in rooms away from the fireplace.

Gas and Electric Fireplaces

• Gas Fireplaces: These are more efficient, with efficiency ratings around 70-90%. They don’t rely on electricity to operate (unless they have an electric blower), making them a good choice during colder months.
• Electric Fireplaces: These are essentially space heaters with a cozy aesthetic. They use about 1,500 watts per hour, or 1.5 kWh, costing around $0.18/hour at a $0.12/kWh rate. Running one for 4 hours a day over a month could use 180 kWh, adding roughly $21.60 to your bill.

Energy-Saving Tip: If you’re using a wood-burning fireplace, consider installing glass doors or a fireplace insert to improve heat retention. For electric fireplaces, use them to heat a specific room rather than your entire home for maximum efficiency.

3. How Much Electricity Does Christmas Really Use?

Between lights, decorations, and heating, holiday energy use can add up. Here’s a rough estimate of electricity usage for a typical household during Christmas:

These numbers can vary based on your specific usage, but for a household running multiple decorations and an electric fireplace, the additional energy use during Christmas could range from 100 to 300 kWh or more. At an average electricity rate of $0.12/kWh, that’s an increase of $12 to $36 on your monthly bill.

4. Tips for Managing Holiday Electricity Costs

The holidays don’t have to mean high energy bills. Here are some tips to keep your energy usage festive yet efficient:

• Switch to LED lights: They use significantly less electricity and last longer.
• Use timers for lights and inflatables: Set them to turn off during daylight or late-night hours to avoid unnecessary usage.
• Heat smartly: If you use an electric fireplace, heat only the rooms in use. For wood-burning fireplaces, close the damper when not in use to prevent heat loss.
• Unplug decorations: Even when not in use, decorations can draw phantom power. Unplug them or use a smart power strip.

Christmas is a time for celebration, but it doesn’t have to come with a hefty electricity bill. By understanding where your energy goes and adopting a few simple strategies, you can keep your holiday energy use under control while enjoying all the warmth and sparkle of the season.

At 4Change Energy, we’re committed to helping you make smart energy choices all year long. From everyone on our team, we wish you a bright, warm, and energy-efficient holiday season!