LED Christmas lights are hot products this time of year. Well, cool products, actually. They’re cool to the touch, which is one of their important attributes.

They burn much less energy than decorative incandescent lights. These days, as environmental awareness grows, we’re all conscious of reducing our energy use. Also, while LED lights can cost two to three times more than traditional holiday lights, they can last up to 10 times longer.

Experts say that’s the most important selling point. That amazing life span is what finally persuaded the town of Davidson to begin replacing its holiday street lighting with new LEDs. The biggest boost to the town’s bank account will come because they don’t have to replace burned-out bulbs and lighted decorations every year. “The investment will pay us back in the long run,” says Davidson Public Works Director Ron McMillan.

But LEDs work better for some decorations than others, experts say, which is important to remember as you shop for this season’s fashionable new selections.

Cost more, but last longer

LED stands for light emitting diode. These are the same lights that are used for all sorts of electronic gear, from your DVD player to your clock radio. LED Christmas lights have been selling steadily for several years, the industry says. The national Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is lighted by LEDs. So is the New Year’s Eve ball in Times Square in New York.

There’s no filament. That’s why they don’t get hot, and don’t burn out like a traditional bulb. They require very little electricity – one-tenth of the energy required by a standard bulb – and none of it is wasted creating heat. They’re made of epoxy resin, which makes them much more durable than glass bulbs.

Lowe’s, which is based near Mooresville, has added to its stock an extra-long string of 200 LED lights that comes mounted on a reel, like a hose reel. “That should be easier to use,” says company spokeswoman Abby Buford. The reel is available with either white or colored lights, and sells for $24.95. New LED products at Lowe’s this season include outdoor “net” lights that spread easily over shrubs, and those icicle lights that homeowners like to hang from their eaves.

Strings of LEDs cost $9.97 at Lowe’s, compared to $5.97 for incandescent. But the company is trying to get the cost down, Buford says, “and people realize the cost savings (comes from) the long time they’re going to last.”

Replacement bulbs cost more, too - a dollar or more for a replacement bulb in the most popular size, depending on the quantity you buy, compared to about 25 to 30 cents for a traditional bulb (and bulbs in LED mini light strings can’t be replaced).

Many artificial trees these days are pre-lighted. Lowe’s offers a 7-foot LED version from GE for $198. Lowe’s also offers LED candles, ranging from tea candles to pillars to the familiar window candles. The 9.5-inch flickering window candle is $4.47. Tea candles are six for $7.97. Pillar candles are priced at $6.97 and $7.97.

If you’re buying LEDs, remember that the industry recommends plugging them into a surge protector.

Safer for children, pets

LEDs are available in a variety of colors and in white – and it’s white that has been the problem over the years. Instead of a warm glow, the light from earlier white LEDs was a cool milky blue. That is now much improved. “The white is more a true white,” Buford says.

Some experts say they don’t work as well on pre-lighted trees, because they produce points of light rather than pools – less optimal for showing off favorite ornaments. On the other hand, LEDs are ideal for icicle lights because they cast an icy, ethereal glow, and can replicate the flickering of a candle. From the street, says Wally Kooiman of Peppermint Forest in Pineville, those window candles can look like the real thing.

If you visit the Christmas aisles at Lowe’s or a holiday showroom such as Peppermint Forest during the daytime, you might have trouble picking out the LED lights on sight.But if you touch one, you’ll know.

Lots of parents choose LEDs because they’re cool to the touch and cut the risk to toddlers and pets. “You don’t have to worry about the little guys running up to the tree and putting their hands on the bulbs,” says Chris Scardaci, a Cornelius builder who has created a side business helping homeowners install holiday lighting.

Keeping the lights burning

Scardaci tells his clients they’ll get years and years of service from LED lighting. And they can avoid the frustration caused by bulbs that burn out just when company is at the front door. LEDs will stand up better to the packing and unpacking – and the tangling and untangling – that holiday lights must endure.

In Davidson, town officials were spending lots of money to replaced burned out bulbs each year, McMillan says. So, last year, the town replaced 1,200 of its 20,000 lights with LEDs. The cost was about $1,200, but will offer big savings over the life of the decorations.

Most are strung downtown on Main Street, but they also go on the town tree in the Village Green, and in some town parks. They turn on from Thanksgiving weekend until sometime after New Year’s.

And the town hopes the new LEDs will be burning for years to come.

Looking for lights?

• www.lowes.com
• www.peppermintforest.com
• www.scardaciconstruction.com