Do fairy lights use a lot of electricity?

Fairy lights, also known as string lights or twinkle lights, are typically low-wattage lighting, so they don't use a lot of electricity. However, their overall energy consumption depends on the type of lights (LED, incandescent, or other), the number of bulbs, and how long they are used.

Factors Affecting Energy Consumption of Fairy Lights

  1. Type of Bulb:

    • LED Fairy Lights: LED lights are the most energy-efficient option for fairy lights. They consume much less power compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, making them a great choice if you're concerned about electricity usage.
    • Incandescent Fairy Lights: These use more electricity than LED lights, but they are still relatively low-wattage compared to larger household appliances. However, they are less energy-efficient and not as commonly used for fairy lights today.
  2. Number of Lights (Bulbs):

    • Fairy lights usually come in strings with anywhere from 20 to 500+ bulbs, so the number of lights on the string will affect the total power consumption.
    • Longer strings of lights or those with more bulbs will naturally consume more electricity than shorter strings.
  3. Duration of Use:

    • The longer you leave the fairy lights on, the more electricity they use. Using a timer or turning them off when not in use can help minimize energy consumption.

Electricity Consumption of LED vs. Incandescent Fairy Lights

1. LED Fairy Lights

  • A typical LED fairy light string (with 100-200 bulbs) may consume around 6 to 12 watts in total.
  • For example, if you use a 50-bulb LED string light consuming around 5 watts, the energy usage per hour is very low.

2. Incandescent Fairy Lights

  • Traditional incandescent fairy lights can use about 30-50 watts for a string of 100 bulbs. This is much higher than LED lights.
  • For example, a 100-bulb incandescent string light could use around 40 watts of power.

Example Calculation of Cost to Run Fairy Lights

Let’s look at two scenarios: LED lights and incandescent lights.

1. LED Fairy Lights (5W)

  • Power consumption: 5 watts (0.005 kW)
  • Electricity Rate: $0.12 per kWh (U.S. average rate)
  • Usage: 5 hours per day

Step 1: Convert watts to kilowatts

5watts÷1000=0.005kW5 \, \text{watts} \div 1000 = 0.005 \, \text{kW}

Step 2: Calculate the cost for 5 hours

0.005kW×5hours=0.025kWh0.005 \, \text{kW} \times 5 \, \text{hours} = 0.025 \, \text{kWh}

Step 3: Multiply by the electricity rate

0.025kWh×0.12USD/kWh=0.003USD(3 cents)0.025 \, \text{kWh} \times 0.12 \, \text{USD/kWh} = 0.003 \, \text{USD} \quad (\text{3 cents})

So, running a 5W LED string of fairy lights for 5 hours costs about 3 cents.

2. Incandescent Fairy Lights (40W)

  • Power consumption: 40 watts (0.04 kW)
  • Electricity Rate: $0.12 per kWh
  • Usage: 5 hours per day

Step 1: Convert watts to kilowatts

40watts÷1000=0.04kW40 \, \text{watts} \div 1000 = 0.04 \, \text{kW}

Step 2: Calculate the cost for 5 hours

0.04kW×5hours=0.2kWh0.04 \, \text{kW} \times 5 \, \text{hours} = 0.2 \, \text{kWh}

Step 3: Multiply by the electricity rate

0.2kWh×0.12USD/kWh=0.024USD(2.4 cents)0.2 \, \text{kWh} \times 0.12 \, \text{USD/kWh} = 0.024 \, \text{USD} \quad (\text{2.4 cents})

So, running a 40W incandescent string of fairy lights for 5 hours costs about 2.4 cents.


Comparison of Cost: LED vs. Incandescent Fairy Lights

Light Type Power Consumption (W) Cost for 5 Hours (USD)
LED Fairy Lights 5W $0.003 (3 cents)
Incandescent Fairy Lights 40W $0.024 (2.4 cents)

Conclusion

  • LED fairy lights are far more energy-efficient than incandescent fairy lights, and their cost to run is much lower. While incandescent lights may still be used in some decorative lighting, LED fairy lights are the better option if you're looking to save on electricity costs.
  • Even with long use (e.g., leaving them on for hours or overnight), the cost to run fairy lights is very low, especially if you're using LED strings.

If you're looking to decorate without worrying much about electricity usage, LED fairy lights are the best choice!

Back to blog