How Much Does It Cost to Run Permanent Holiday Lighting? (Real DFW Energy Numbers)
One of the most underestimated benefits of permanent LED lighting is how cheap it is to run. Here are real numbers based on commercial-grade RGBW LEDs and current Texas electricity rates.
Per-bulb draw. Each addressable RGBW LED draws roughly 0.5–0.7 watts at full warm-white brightness. A typical DFW roofline holds 200–350 bulbs.
Monthly cost at full warm-white. A 250-bulb home running warm white from sundown to midnight (~5 hours/night) draws about 24 kWh per month. At Texas average rates of $0.15/kWh, that's roughly $3.60/month.
Holiday colored scenes. Vivid red-green Christmas scenes use slightly less power because not every bulb is at full brightness simultaneously. Expect $3–$5/month during heavy holiday use.
Dimming saves more than you think. Running warm white at 60% brightness — what most designers recommend for everyday year-round use — drops the monthly bill to under $2.50.
Compared to old incandescent C9 strands which can draw 7+ watts per bulb, permanent RGBW LEDs cost roughly 1/10 the energy for the same visual impact. Over the 10+ year lifespan, the energy savings alone outpace many traditional install programs.
