LED lights v. regular holiday lights
If you're interested in keeping down your electricity costs this year, you might try LED lights.
LED lights use 90% less energy than traditional lights, which can add up to roughly $50 in energy savings for the average family.
In addition, LED lights last longer and are safer than traditional lights.
LED lights can last up to 100,000 hours, experts say.
You can also string together more LED lights than regular. Experts say you shouldn't connect more than three strands of traditional lights, but you can connect up to 87 LED strings.
LED lights reduce the risk of fire. They stay cooler than incandescent bulbs, according to Energy Star.
Deadline is Sunday to enter holiday lights contest
Time is running out to enter the Daily Herald's holiday lights contest. The deadline for submissions is midnight Sunday. Come back and vote on the winner between Dec. 10 and 16. The winner and a voter drawn at random will win snowblowers. For details, to enter and to vote, go to <a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/contest/holidaylights/">dailyherald.com/contest/holidaylights;</a>. The contest is sponsored by Wintrust Financial Corporation.