Is Christmas lights expensive to run?

Old incandescent strings are the exception: the same display can draw hundreds of watts. LEDs ended the holiday-bill spike. At typical use it adds about $0.90 to a monthly electric bill at the US-average rate, but that swings from $0.63 in the cheapest states to $2.35 in the most expensive.

How many watts does Christmas lights use?

Christmas Lights typically draws about 30 running watts. It's a resistive load, so its startup and running wattage are the same. Check the nameplate or label on your specific unit for its exact rating.

How can I lower the cost of running Christmas lights?

Old incandescent strings are the exception: the same display can draw hundreds of watts. LEDs ended the holiday-bill spike. You can also cut the cost by lowering your electricity rate — many utilities offer cheaper off-peak hours — or simply by running it fewer hours. Use the calculator above to see how changing hours per day or your rate moves the number.

How Much Does It Cost to Run Christmas Lights?

Five hundred LED mini-lights sip about 30 watts — a whole December of nightly glow costs around a dollar. At the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh, running Christmas lights costs about $0.90/month ($10.83/year) at typical use. Adjust the watts, hours, and your rate below for your exact number.

Power (watts)

Hours per day: 6

Days per week: 7

Your state (sets the rate)

Electricity rate ($/kWh)

Cost to run Christmas lights

$11/yr

Per day: $0.03
Per month: $0.90
Energy per year: 66 kWh

Cost = power (kW) × hours × days × your rate. Defaults are typical values — enter your appliance's actual watts (often on a label) and your real rate for a precise figure.

Cost to run Christmas lights by electricity rate

Same 30 W appliance, 6 h/day — the bill changes with where you live.

Scenario	Rate	Per month	Per year
Cheapest states (North Dakota)	11.5¢	$0.63	$7.56
US average	16.5¢	$0.90	$10.83
Most expensive (Hawaii)	42.9¢	$2.35	$28.16

Find your state's rate on the electricity rates by state page, or see the appliance wattage chart for more devices.

Frequently asked questions

At the US-average residential rate of 16.5¢/kWh, Christmas lights drawing 30 watts for about 6 hours a day costs roughly $0.03 per day, $0.90 per month, and $10.83 per year. Your actual cost depends on your electricity rate and how much you use it — adjust both in the calculator above.

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How Much Does It Cost to Run Christmas Lights?

Cost to run Christmas lights by electricity rate

Frequently asked questions