When the holiday season approaches, many people look forward to decorating their homes with festive Christmas lights. While they may look beautiful and festive, many homeowners wonder how much extra they will have to pay for electricity during the holiday season. In this article, we will look at how much extra Christmas lights may cost on your electric bill in Toronto.
First, it is important to understand how electricity bills are calculated in Toronto. The price of electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This is the amount of energy used in one hour by an electrical device that has a power rating of 1,000 watts. The electricity rate in Toronto varies depending on the time of day and the season. During the summer months (May to October), the rate is generally higher than during the winter months (November to April).
Now, let’s take a look at how much energy Christmas lights use. The energy consumption of Christmas lights depends on a few factors such as the type of bulb, the number of lights, and how long they are turned on each day. LED lights are much more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent lights. For example, a string of 50 LED lights uses about 4 watts of electricity, while a string of 50 incandescent lights uses about 40 watts of electricity. If you have a large display with many strings of lights, your energy consumption will increase accordingly.
According to Toronto Hydro, the average household in Toronto uses about 800 kWh of electricity per month. If you were to use a string of 50 LED lights for six hours per day over a 30-day period, it would use approximately 3.6 kWh of electricity. At Toronto Hydro’s winter electricity rate of 10.1 cents per kWh, this would cost about $0.36. If you were to use a string of 50 incandescent lights for the same amount of time, it would use approximately 36 kWh of electricity, costing approximately $3.64.
It’s important to note that the cost of Christmas lights on your electric bill can vary greatly depending on how many lights you use, how long you use them for, and the type of lights you choose. However, by using LED lights and limiting the amount of time they are turned on, you can significantly reduce your energy consumption and the associated costs.
In addition to using LED lights, there are other ways to reduce your energy consumption during the holiday season. For example, you can use a timer to turn your Christmas lights on and off automatically. This will help ensure that you are only using them during the hours when they will be most appreciated. You can also consider using solar-powered lights, which are a great option for outdoor displays and do not require any electricity.
In conclusion, the cost of Christmas lights on your electric bill in Toronto will depend on a few factors, including the type of lights you use and how long you use them for. By using LED lights and limiting their usage, you can reduce your energy consumption and save money on your electric bill during the holiday season.