Smaller lights and new LED lights save energy

Still using those large, traditional colored bulbs during the holidays? If so, you're probably paying more for your energy use during the holiday season. The older strings with the large bulbs use up to 10 watts per bulb, while the new miniature lights use about 70 percent less energy and tend to last longer than the larger bulbs.

If you're a stickler for tradition and prefer the larger bulbs, consider buying the 5-watt bulbs, which use about 30 percent less energy than 7- to 10-watt models. You will see energy savings and still enjoy the festive sights the holiday season brings. For even more energy savings, consider trying a new type of holiday light this season. Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights can reduce holiday lighting energy costs by about 90 percent. LED holiday lights use less electricity than the traditional bulbs and are cool to the touch. In addition to saving energy, the lights can last for years and stay lit even if one bulb goes out.

You may pay a bit more initially; however, LED lights can pay for themselves in just one season. Available in single- or multi-colored strings and a variety of shapes, LED holiday lights can be found at many hardware, grocery and retail stores.

For safety, be sure you purchase lights with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label, which means they meet UL safety requirements.