Two fifths of households (40%) are putting up Christmas lights earlier this winter, with one in seven saying they want to brighten up a miserable year[1]
Eight in ten households (80%) will put up lights this year despite the energy crisis[2], with two thirds (66%) using cheap-to-run LED bulbs[3]
Nearly a fifth of homes (18%) still use halogen lights[3] that guzzle four times more energy than LED bulbs[4]
Three fifths of households (60%) will keep their lights display as big as last year, although three in ten (29%) plan to cut down to save energy[5]
Uswitch analysis shows households can still enjoy festive lights and decorations this year without adding to energy bills.
Eleven million households – some 40% of homes – will be putting their Christmas lights up earlier this winter, with one in seven (14%) doing so to brighten up a miserable year[1], according to new research from Uswitch.com, the comparison service.
Eight in ten households (80%) across the country will be putting up Christmas lights this year[2], with December 9 being the most popular day that decorations will go up[6].
Two thirds of homes (66%) are using cheap-to-run LED bulbs, which won’t run up high bills over the festive period[3]. A 6W set of 1,000 LED fairy lights switched on for eight hours a day could cost just 11p a week[4].
Festive households will have their displays up for 24 days on average over the Christmas period, meaning that the 6W string of lights would cost just 39p to run in total[4].
However, the fifth of homes (18%) still using halogen lights in their Christmas displays will pay considerably more[3]. These bulbs can use up to 320% more energy as LEDs, meaning a 1,000-string of fairy lights could cost nearly 48p a week, and £1.64 over the festive period[4].
Worryingly, a quarter of people (23%) do not know what type of bulbs are in their Christmas lights, meaning they could be running up higher bills if they have halogen lights[3].
Three fifths of households (60%) will put up the same amount of lights as last year, although three in ten (29%) are cutting back to save money on energy[5].
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “The cost-of-living crisis has made this a very difficult year, so many households will want to brighten up December with festive light displays.
“The good news for any households using LED bulbs is that they are very cheap to run, and will not add significantly to bills.
“Halogen lights are more expensive to run, and so may be worth replacing with LEDs if you can.
“If you’re looking to keep costs lower this Christmas, check your thermostat temperature and aim to set this at around 18°C, which is the recommended temperature for people in good health.
“Households looking for an easy way to see how much energy they are using over the festive period can download Utrack, a free mobile app that lets consumers connect to their smart meter and track their energy use.”
Track your energy usage with Utrack by Uswitch here.
For further information, please contact:
Rianna York, Uswitch.com on 07817 083280 / rianna.york@rvu.co.uk
Sarah Robinson, Rhizome Media on 07545 895 404 / sarah@rhizomemediagroup.com
Notes
Research conducted online by Opinium, 22nd November to 25th November 2022, among 2,000 UK adults, weighted to be nationally representative.
1 Respondents were asked ‘If you are turning your lights on earlier this year, what is your reason?’ 60% said they are not turning their lights on earlier, 40% said they were. 16% said ‘I’ve got LED lights which don’t use much energy’, 14% said ‘Want to brighten up the end of a miserable year’, 13% said ‘Want to cheer people up’, 6% said ‘Using them for security - to show people I’m home’, 5% said ‘I want my house to be the brightest on the street’, 5% said ‘Increased Christmas lights rivalry with neighbours’, 3% said ‘other’.
‘Do you look at the energy efficiency label when you buy a new appliance or electronic device for your home?’ 81% said yes, 14% said no.
2. Respondents were asked ‘Which of the following lights will/did you put up to celebrate Christmas this year?’. 80% are putting up lights this year, 20% won’t put up any.
3. Respondents were asked ‘What type of bulb are your Christmas lights this year?’ 66% said LEDs. 18% use halogen bulbs outside, and 7% inside. 23% do not know.
4. An LED bulb of the equivalent brightness to a halogen bulb burns 0.01kW compared to 0.042kW. 0.042 / 0.01 = halogen bulb burns 420% of the energy of an LED bulb, and burns 320% more than an LED bulb. One 1,000-light LED string of bulbs uses 6W. 0.006kw x 8 hours x 7 days x 0.34 kwh = £0.114. Halogen bulbs consume 320% more energy.
5. Respondents were asked ‘Are you reducing the number of Christmas lights you will put up this year compared to last year?’ 60% said no. 29% said ‘Yes - to save money on my energy bills’, 14% said ‘Yes - to reduce my carbon footprint’, 5% said ‘Yes - any other reason’.
6. Respondents were asked ‘When did you, or when will you, turn on your lights?’ Average was December 9.
About Uswitch
Uswitch is the UK’s top comparison website for home services switching. We’ve saved consumers £2.5 billion off their energy bills since we launched in September 2000, and also help people find a better deal on their broadband, mobile and TV.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a global group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.
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About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.
