JUNO BEACH, Fla. – ‘Tis the season of holiday lights and decorations.  It’s also the season of spending.  Florida Power & Light Company says for financial and energy savings, energy efficient lights are an illuminating choice.  

Greener Lights

Energy Efficient LEDs, or Light Emitting Diode lights, are gaining popularity this season.  In fact, this year the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball will be redesigned and completely illuminated by LEDs.  In its December issue, Consumer Reports compares regular mini and standard-sized holiday lights to LED light strands.  When it comes to energy efficiency, the LED lights were the clear winner. They use up to 98 percent less energy than traditional lights, saving approximately $4 for every 10 strands you hang.  And while they may cost more to purchase, LEDs pay back the cost difference in 3 seasons. LEDs also have a much longer life than conventional light bulbs, lasting up to 100,000 hours or more indoors, or about 50,000 hours when used outside. 

Consumer Reports also checked the burning temperature of the bulbs. Traditional incandescent lights were much hotter. Because the LEDs run much cooler, they can use plastic on the bulbs instead of glass. So they’re more durable and pose a lower fire risk.  

According to the Electric Power Research Institute: 

• Clark Griswold, the movie character in Christmas Vacation who lit his house with 25,000 bulbs would have saved more than $2,000 on his $2,400 electric bill if he had used energy efficient C9 LED bulbs.
• If all seasonal minilights were switched to LEDs, electrical savings would exceed $250 million.
• Carbon emissions would be reduced by 400,000 tons per year. 

LED holiday lights are available at many retailers, and at FPL’s online store by visiting www.fpl.com\store.

To further reduce energy costs this holiday season, use timers on all electrically-powered decorations to automatically turn them off during daylight hours and other times. 

Sparkle Safely

FPL also asks that you brighten your holiday safely with the following tips: 

• Never use indoor lighting outside. 
• Check lights for damage, and discard broken strings.
• Look up and be aware of any power lines when decorating outdoors. Avoid raising ladders and other extended objects into or near power lines.
• Before installing outdoor lights on trees, make sure tree limbs haven’t grown into or near electric lines.  
• Make electric cords inaccessible to pets and toddlers, and keep power cords from under rugs, appliances or other objects to prevent fire from overheating.
• Use no more than three sets of conventional lights on a single extension cord and turn decorative lights off when leaving home or going to bed

Throughout the year customers can access valuable information on energy conservation with FPL’s Energy Advisor at www.FPL.com.  Simply click on “Energy Saving Toolkit” to take advantage of advanced features such as easy-to-use calculators that tell you how much you're spending to run specific appliances; unbiased advice to help make the right major appliance purchase; and tips on how simple changes to daily habits can save you money.

FPL customers can also click on the Online Home Energy Survey to obtain expert analysis of energy use in their homes and personalized recommendations for savings.    A customized, printable report provides detailed action steps for lowering bills and links to FPL programs to help customers save further. 

Florida Power & Light Company is the principal subsidiary of FPL Group, Inc. (NYSE: FPL), nationally known as a high quality, efficient and customer-driven organization focused on energy-related products and services. With annual revenues of nearly $16 billion and a growing presence in 27 states, FPL Group is widely recognized as one of the country's premier power companies. Florida Power & Light Company serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida. FPL Energy, LLC, FPL Group's competitive energy subsidiary is a leader in producing electricity from clean and renewable fuels. Additional information is available on the Internet at

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