There are a variety of outdoor holiday lighting options available. Each type has different pros and cons, and the process of installation can be frustrating or time-consuming. However, if you want to have a gorgeous holiday season this year, outdoor lighting is a great way to add a festive touch to your home.
Energy efficiency
Depending on where you live, you may already be aware of the energy-saving benefits of LEDs in outdoor holiday lighting. However, it is important to remember that even energy-efficient bulbs consume more energy the longer they are left on. That is why it is crucial to use an automatic timer to control your outdoor holiday lights. This will prevent accidental lighting and unnecessary electric bills. Moreover, it will save you the hassle of manually switching off and on the lights. However, you must ensure that the timer is capable of controlling the total wattage of the lights that you have.
LED holiday lights can reduce your energy costs considerably, and are also cool to the touch. They also last much longer than traditional incandescent holiday lights. On average, LEDs cost about $0.27 per hour to run, compared to $10 for 40 days of incandescent holiday lights. LEDs achieve this energy-efficiency through clever design. By contrast, traditional incandescent bulbs only use ten percent of electricity and waste the rest as heat.
Cost
Installing outdoor holiday lighting can be costly. The cost can range anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars, depending on the size of the home, the area in which the installation will be performed and the type of lights used. In addition, it may require additional electrical supplies. For this reason, you should contact local electrical contractors to determine whether the type of lights you want will be permitted in your area.
Hiring a professional holiday lighting service can save you time and money. In addition to lighting up your exterior, these professionals can help you with maintenance and removal. A professional company will also use higher-grade products and lights. Having an expert install your lights can also increase the safety of your holiday decorations. It’s also important to choose a company that carries insurance and has workers’ compensation insurance.
LED lights can be a good option if you want to save on energy costs. They use less electricity and will last longer than traditional bulbs. While these lights will cost more upfront, they will pay for themselves in energy savings over several seasons. Another good idea is to choose a few spots to light so that the lights aren’t engulfing your whole house. If you’re lighting a specific area, you can set a timer so that they turn on and off as needed.
Decorative enhancements
If you want to create a picture-perfect holiday scene, consider adding a festive outdoor holiday lighting display to your home. The right outdoor lighting display can take any home from ordinary to extraordinary. The key is to use the right decorative accents and lighting styles to highlight your home’s unique features. A trained outdoor decorating expert can create a spectacular display that incorporates professional-grade lighting accents and colorful picks and wreaths.
Placement
When choosing the proper placement for outdoor holiday lighting, consider the overall look and feel of your home. Before you start hanging your lights, take a photo of your home from the street and think about how you would want neighbors and passersby to see it. Make sure to consider your entire house, including windows, roofline, porch, and yard.
Place your lights in strategic locations around your home. The placement should tie in with other decorations on your property. Having a Christmas tree in front of your home can create a cohesive look. Try to avoid placing lights in awkward places. Also, use consistent colors for your lighting. This way, your lights and decorations will look uniform throughout your entire property.
Make sure you have a place where you can plug your lights into an outdoor outlet. Many homes only have two exterior outlets, which can make hanging holiday lights a hassle. Additionally, the cords often become tangled and create fire hazards. To avoid this, consider adding a couple of outdoor outlets.
