Permanent Christmas lights aren’t just for Christmas anymore. From warm white accent lighting to Oilers blue and orange on game nights, Edmonton homeowners can use the same lights for every season and occasion. But year-round lighting raises a practical question:
How much electricity do permanent Christmas lights actually use?
Short answer: about $9 per month for 250 LED bulbs running eight hours a night, including GST, at EPCOR’s 2025–2026 Edmonton electricity rate.
Here’s how we calculated it
250 bulbs × 1.2 W each × 8 hours per night × 30 nights = 72 kWh
At EPCOR’s rate of 12.01¢ per kWh, plus GST, that comes to $9.08 per month in LED electricity.
That means you can enjoy a beautifully lit home every evening without saving your lights for special occasions. With Empire’s Prairie Lighting system, you can switch from warm white to festive colours, set your schedule and leave the ladder in the garage.
What Are Permanent Christmas Lights?
Permanent Christmas lights are LEDs installed along your roofline or soffit that stay up all year. At Empire Home Service, we fit them into colour-matched aluminum track for a clean look that blends into your home during the day and shines at night.
We install Prairie Lighting systems with colours, patterns, brightness and schedules controlled right from your phone. Choose warm white for everyday curb appeal, then change your entire home’s look for Christmas, game nights or family celebrations in seconds.
How Much Electricity Do 250 LED Bulbs Consume?
You don’t need a lot of power to make your home stand out. The Prairie Lighting Pro 30 mm bulbs we install use a maximum of just 1.2 watts each.
Here’s what that means for 250 bulbs running eight hours a night:
| Calculation | Result |
|---|---|
| 250 bulbs × 1.2 watts | 300 watts, or 0.30 kW |
| 0.30 kW × 8 hours | 2.4 kWh per night |
| 2.4 kWh × 30 nights | 72 kWh per month |
These numbers assume every bulb runs at maximum power. Prefer softer lighting or just a few warm-white accents? Dimming your lights or switching off selected bulbs can bring your electricity use down even further.
How Much Does It Cost to Run Permanent Christmas Lights in Edmonton?
EPCOR’s Edmonton Rate of Last Resort is 12.01¢ per kWh from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.
Using that rate:
72 kWh × $0.1201 = $8.65 before tax
This covers the LEDs’ energy charge only. Power-supply losses, controller consumption and usage-based delivery charges can increase the actual cost. Existing fixed account charges generally apply whether you use the lights or not.
What If You Run Your Lights for More or Fewer Hours?
For the same 250 bulbs operating at maximum rated power:
| Hours Per Night | Electricity Over 30 Days | LED Energy Charge, Including GST |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | 36 kWh | $4.54 |
| 6 hours | 54 kWh | $6.81 |
| 8 hours | 72 kWh | $9.08 |
| 10 hours | 90 kWh | $11.35 |
Estimates use EPCOR’s 12.01¢/kWh rate and exclude the additional costs noted above.
For upfront installation pricing, see our Edmonton permanent Christmas light cost guide.
Your Electricity Plan May Change the Cost
Edmonton homeowners can choose other retailers, including ATCO Energy, ENMAX and Direct Energy. A lower per-kWh rate can reduce the energy charge for the lights even more. Compare current electricity plans in Alberta with the Alberta Utilities Consumer Advocate’s Cost Comparison Tool.
What Affects How Much Electricity Your Lights Use?
Number of bulbs: More illuminated roofline means more lights drawing power.
Brightness and colour: Dimming reduces consumption, and different colour settings use different amounts of power.
Number of lights illuminated: Use selected bulbs for accent lighting instead of lighting the entire roofline. Some animated patterns also leave bulbs off during parts of the sequence.
Operating hours: Running the same display for five hours instead of ten halves the LEDs’ operating time and energy use.
Prairie Lighting’s app lets you control these settings and schedule the lights to turn off automatically.
Are Permanent Christmas Lights More Efficient Than Traditional Christmas Lights?
Permanent LED lights use substantially less electricity than older incandescent Christmas lights. Removable LED strings can also be efficient, but permanent lighting saves you the yearly work of putting lights up and taking them down.
Pay for installation once and enjoy your lights year-round. If you normally hang your own lights, you save time and effort while avoiding the risk of climbing ladders in winter. If you spend $700–$1,000 each year on professional installation and removal, a permanent system eliminates that recurring seasonal expense.
And the benefits continue long after Christmas. Switch to Oilers colours on game nights, celebrate Halloween and Canada Day, or use warm-white accent lighting every evening—all from the same installation.
Why We Choose Prairie Lighting for Edmonton Homes
Your lights should look great in July and keep performing through an Edmonton winter. That’s why Empire Home Service installs Prairie Lighting, with IP68-rated components designed for temperatures down to −50°C—a relevant feature in a city that has historically reached −49.4°C.
You get vibrant colours, beautiful warm-white lighting and colour-matched aluminum track that keeps the installation discreet. Prairie Lighting’s aluminum channeling, controller and app are made in Alberta, and our Edmonton team handles your installation and local support.
The Pro 30 mm LEDs are rated for up to 100,000 operating hours, giving you years of holidays, game nights and everyday curb appeal. A lifetime bulb warranty and 10-year coverage on the wiring, aluminum track, power box and controller give you added confidence in your investment.
So, How Much Electricity Do Permanent Christmas Lights Use?
Less than you might expect. Running 250 LEDs for eight hours a night in Edmonton costs about $9 a month in energy charges—making it affordable to enjoy a beautifully lit home all year.
With Empire Home Service, you get a clean, professional installation and lighting you can change right from your phone. Enjoy warm white on a quiet evening, Oilers colours on game night and a Christmas display that’s ready whenever you are—without climbing a ladder each season.
See what’s possible in our Edmonton lighting gallery, or get your .