LED vs. Incandescent Christmas Lights: Why Pros Use C9 LEDs
If you've ever untangled a box of old Christmas lights, you know incandescent strands have their charm and their problems. Today almost every professional installer uses LEDs. Here's how the two compare and why it matters for your display.
Energy Use
This is where LEDs win by a mile. According to the U.S. government's ENERGY STAR program, certified LED light strings use about 70 percent less energy than incandescent strands. A typical incandescent mini bulb draws around 7 watts, while an LED mini draws a tiny fraction of that. For a display that runs every night from Thanksgiving to New Year's, the difference shows up on your electric bill.
Lifespan
ENERGY STAR also notes that certified LED strings can last up to 10 times longer than incandescent ones. Fewer burned-out bulbs means fewer dark spots on your roofline in mid-December.
Heat and Safety
Incandescent bulbs make light by heating a filament, so they get hot. LEDs run much cooler, which is one reason they're preferred around wreaths, garland, and dry landscaping.
Durability
Traditional incandescent bulbs are glass and break easily on a ladder or a windy day. Commercial-grade LED bulbs are built for outdoor use season after season, which is why we use them on every installation.
Color and Look
Older LEDs had a reputation for looking harsh and blue. That's no longer true. Today you can choose:
C9 LED diamond-cut bulbs: a faceted surface that throws a crisp, high-sparkle glow you can see from the street. This is our most-requested bulb.
C9 LED filament bulbs: clear glass with a visible filament that recreates the soft, warm look of vintage incandescent lights, with LED efficiency.
5mm mini LEDs: dense, close-spaced coverage for wrapping tree trunks, branches, garland, and columns.
See every bulb style in our catalog.
Cost
LED strands cost more to buy than cheap incandescent sets, but they use far less electricity and last much longer, so they usually come out ahead over a few seasons. With A&M's all-inclusive service, you don't have to buy anything: we supply commercial-grade materials, install them, maintain them through the season, and take them down. We can also install qualifying lights you already own.
The Bottom Line
For an outdoor display that runs every night for weeks, LEDs are brighter per watt, cooler, tougher, and longer-lasting. Want to see the difference on a real home? Browse our project gallery, or request a free estimate for your home in Granbury, Fort Worth, Arlington, or anywhere across DFW.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do LED Christmas lights use less electricity?
Yes. ENERGY STAR says certified LED light strings use about 70 percent less energy than incandescent strands.
How long do LED Christmas lights last?
ENERGY STAR-certified LED strings can last up to 10 times longer than incandescent strands.
Can LED lights look warm like old-fashioned bulbs?
Yes. C9 LED filament bulbs use clear glass and a visible filament to recreate the soft, warm look of vintage incandescent lights.
What bulbs does A&M Christmas Lights use?
Commercial-grade C9 LED bulbs in diamond-cut and filament styles, plus 5mm mini LEDs for trees, garland, and columns.
