Nov 28, 2006
LED Lights
By Timothy R. Butler | Posted at 0:51:13
I'm trying out LED Christmas tree light strands this year. They are finally becoming somewhat affordable, and I have to say, I'm really impressed. They are cool to the touch, the colors are more vibrant, and they promise many, many times the number of hours one gets with regular Christmas tree lights (which doesn't surprise me, given how long LED lights last in general).
I think this year and next should be the years of LED; this is just one more stake in the heart of the incandescent light bulb.
Anyone else trying out these nifty lights?
I almost did, but all my old strands of lights still worked for the most part, so I went the really cheap route.
They do look nice in the store.
They use very little electricity according to what I have been reading about them.
If I am correct, our multi-colored rope lights are filled with LEDs. We've had them two years and love them.
Christopher: Yeah, I wasn't planning to switch, but all four strands of lights that went with the tree refused to work (which was rather odd, because the bulbs weren't loose).
Michael: Yes, that's what they say. I really like just having something that generates less heat — it seems safer to me. Incidentally, the box says the lights are rated for 200,000 hours.
Ed: Thanks. Do you decorate your tree with rope lights, or do you use those outside (or elsewhere)? They're pretty nifty.
We don't do the tree thing, though it's mostly a matter of space and inclination toward the effort. We hang the rope around windows, or along the wall, or whatever strikes our fancy at the time.
I'm actually out looking for a tree (artificial) with LED's. My son is sensitive to real trees, so I prefer the fake ones. And, I like the ones with fold-up branches (as opposed to plug-in branches. 10 feet would be nice, more if I get lucky. And, I plan on buying it Dec 26th.
Ed: No tree?!? Gasp.
Mike, December 26th sounds good to me. I always feel bad about buying new Christmas things before the holiday when I see the prices drop so much afterward.