of Danny’s favorites:

Multicolor, $20 per 32

Yi~

foot string (50 lights);

lowes.com. Snowflake,

$20 per is-foot string

(35 lights); gardeners.com

Flame-tip, $20 per 24-

foot string (70 lights);

L I V I N G

G R E E N

How to conserve energy, live healthier, and save money

BYKITSELZER

T H IS M O N TH

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Green expert Danny Seo shares how changing out

your holiday lights can change upyour energy bill.

As an energy-saving alternative to

conventional string lights, light-

em itting diodes, or LEDs, designed for

the holidays offer all the glow w ith none

of the guilt. These mini powerhouses

use 80 to 90 percent less electricity than

traditional incandescent bulbs and can

last up to 20,000 hours. “Because LEDs

are super energy-efficient, you can feel

OK leaving them on all season long,”

says Danny Sco. A safety

7

side benefit:

They’re cool to the touch.

Early versions of LEDs were some-

w hat disappointing—their light was a

little too cool and not particularly

bright—but this year’s selection displays

noticeable improvements. “Technology

has come a long way,” Danny says.

“Many white LEDs now mimic the soft,

yellowy glow of incandescents.” Plus,

you have more choices in bulb shape,

size, and color. Prelit trees, wreaths, and

garlands that run on batteries offer even

more lighting freedom.

You’ll find LED sets at home centers

and other major retail stores; they’re

also abundant at online outlets. But,

Danny says, don’t wait for a sale. “Stores

report they’re one of the first holiday

items to fly off the shelves, even

when they’re stocked way before

Thanksgiving.”

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