Outdoor inflatable decoration vs. christmas lights: running cost
A christmas lights is cheaper to run: about $0 a year versus $15 for an outdoor inflatable decoration at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $14 difference.
| Outdoor inflatable decoration | Christmas lights | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 150 W | 5 W |
| Watt range | 60–400 W | 2–200 W |
| Typical use | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year |
| Energy per year | 82 kWh | 3 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 2.7¢ | 0.09¢ |
| Cost per day | 16¢ | 0.5¢ |
| Cost per month | $4.93 | $0.16 |
| Cost per year | $15 | $0 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $36 | $1 |
Compare at your rate and settings
What drives the difference
- Outdoor inflatable decoration: Inflatables run a constant blower fan of about 60-300 W plus LED lights; they must run continuously to stay up.
- Christmas lights: Per strand: 100 LED mini lights draw about 4-7 W versus 40 W for incandescent minis; C9 incandescent strands draw 7 W per bulb. A typical home display has 10-30 strands, so multiply accordingly.
Ways to cut either cost
Use about 85-90% less power and stay cool.
See options on AmazonTurns lights on at dusk and off after a set number of hours.
See options on AmazonCovers the house in moving lights for 5-10 W.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, an outdoor inflatable decoration or a christmas lights?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an outdoor inflatable decoration costs about $15 a year versus $0 for a christmas lights. That's $14 more, or 30.0× as much.
How many watts do outdoor inflatable decoration and christmas lights use?
An outdoor inflatable decoration typically draws 150 W (range 60–400 W). A christmas lights draws 5 W (range 2–200 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.