Electric window candles vs. christmas lights: running cost
A christmas lights is cheaper to run: about $0 a year versus $1 for an electric window candles at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $0 difference.
| Electric window candles | Christmas lights | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 4 W | 5 W |
| Watt range | 1–7 W | 2–200 W |
| Typical use | 8 hours a day for 3 months a year | 6 hours a day for 3 months a year |
| Energy per year | 3 kWh | 3 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 0.07¢ | 0.09¢ |
| Cost per day | 0.6¢ | 0.5¢ |
| Cost per month | $0.18 | $0.16 |
| Cost per year | $1 | $0 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $1 | $1 |
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What drives the difference
- Electric window candles: Corded window candles with C7 incandescent bulbs draw 4-7 W each; LED versions draw under 1 W.
- 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 AmazonUnder 1 W each and switch off automatically.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, an electric window candles or a christmas lights?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an electric window candles costs about $1 a year versus $0 for a christmas lights. That's $0 more.
How many watts do electric window candles and christmas lights use?
An electric window candles typically draws 4 W (range 1–7 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.