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MoneySavingExpert Launches Calculator for Christmas Lights Running Costs

MSE's examples show LEDs cost far less than incandescent sets for typical holiday use.

Overview

  • Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert has released an online tool that estimates the electricity cost of Christmas decorations.
  • Users select a decoration type and enter daily hours and number of days, with an option to add the item’s wattage for a more precise result.
  • Example estimate: a 500–1000 bulb LED string used eight hours per day for two weeks costs about 18p.
  • For the same schedule, an incandescent string is about £1.93, a moving decoration about 35p, and a large inflatable around 44p.
  • MSE notes the figures are based on standard-set assumptions and actual costs can vary depending on wattage and usage.