This year retailers have offered more LED holiday lighting choices than ever before and at lower prices. To demonstrate the energy efficiency of LED lighting and to reduce energy use, Otter Tail Power Company replaced about 780 C7 incandescent bulbs outlining the roof and corners of its general office building in Fergus Falls with C9 LED bulbs, whose bases were compatible with the existing light sets.

OTP’s facilities energy-efficiency team leader Scott Fritz said they are excited about the energy savings and the updated look, over the next several years they plan to replace remaining incandescent holiday lighting at their other facilities with LED lighting and to request LEDs in the lighted wreaths and garland they purchase from outside vendors. So, people can look at any of their holiday lighting to get an idea of what updating their displays with LEDs would look like.

While more expensive to purchase than incandescent light sets, LED light sets can use up to 90 percent less electricity and can pay for themselves in four to five years. Fritz pointed out that each of the C9s they purchased contains three LEDs, however, so they are only about 50 percent more efficient than the C7 bulbs they replaced.

The initial higher cost of LED lighting is paid back in short order with the lower overall cost of ownership that comes from energy efficiency and less maintenance. LED holiday lighting is weather-resistant and durable for outdoor use.

Many LEDs have a 50,000-hour or even 100,000-hour rated life. They come in a variety of colors, are cool to the touch, and are break-resistant. But LEDs are replaceable, if necessary. Look for light sets that continue to operate even if an individual LED is loose or not working.

In a word, Otter Tail Power Company encourages its customers and neighbors to maximize their savings by taking advantage of holiday sales to replace incandescent holiday lights with LED holiday lighting.

About Otter Tail Power
Otter Tail Power Company, a division of Otter Tail Corporation, is headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. It provides electricity and energy services to nearly a quarter million people in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.