You may have mixed feelings whenever it's time to bring out the Christmas decorations. On the one hand, they signify the start of the festive season. On the other, they can mean extra work. Installing decorations can be challenging, and the thought of taking everything down may make you want to leave your Christmas lights on all year long — especially when the results are so stunning.
However, there is a right time to install and enjoy your festive decorations. While you may assume you can leave your Christmas lights on all year long, the truth is that you're only allowed to do so for a relatively short time.
National Electric Code (NEC) Article 590 governs all temporary electrical installations, including holiday lights. Leaving outdoor tree lights up year-round goes against NEC 590.3(B), which states you can install tree lights and other temporary holiday displays and leave them up for a maximum of 90 days before taking them down or reinstalling them. In addition to these guidelines, your seasonal Christmas light installations may wear and degrade over time if you leave them up beyond the 90-day mark.
Most people in the United States install their Christmas lights around Thanksgiving, so they're already subjected to the elements for about a month before Christmas day. Although many of these lights can withstand the cold, it takes a toll over time. Generally speaking, the longer you leave your Christmas lights up, the more often you may find yourself replacing them.
There's a reason why NEC regulations do not permit leaving your Christmas lights up all year. Here's why it's inadvisable.
Your Christmas lights may manage in the cold, but as they progress through the year, they must contend with sunlight, rain and rodents. Growing vegetation also strains the wiring. Even if you have a budget for Christmas decor, you might not want new lights on the shopping list if you can avoid it.
While Christmas lights can conceal unsightly elements of your home, they can also cover up areas that need attention. The longer you leave these issues, the more expensive the repairs will likely become. When you eventually remove or replace your lights, you could also have to deal with surprise costs and damage to your home.
If you put your Christmas lights up the weekend before Thanksgiving and leave them until New Year's Eve, you pay for about six weeks of extra energy. A total of 500 incandescent bulbs can cost an additional $63 a month if you run them for six hours a day. For six weeks, that's not too bad. For the entire year, it amounts to $756.
This prolonged use also has far-reaching emissions implications. Electricity generation already accounts for a substantial amount of global greenhouse gas emissions. Adding to these with year-round Christmas lights can be counterproductive amid nationwide drives for responsible energy use.
Christmas lights are an American tradition. They transform neighborhoods throughout the festive season and bring great joy. However, they may cause friction between you and your neighbors after the season ends. In addition to NEC guidelines, local regulations or homeowners association rules may even prevent you from keeping them up for too long. Plus, your neighbors may prefer a fresh, well-maintained look.
Installing Christmas lights outside often requires the clever use of extension cords. These cords and connections are recommended for temporary use but are not typically up to code for regular permanent wiring. They degrade over time, which can cause a potential fire hazard. Fire departments nationwide respond to about 790 home fires yearly that began with decorations, making year-round lights a genuine concern.
If you think back to your childhood, you'll likely remember the joy and excitement that accompanied installing your Christmas lights. You may still experience these emotions today. They signify the beginning of the festive season and add an element of celebration. They also remind you to slow down and savor the time with your loved ones.
If you could leave them up all year, it would remove the novelty. Over time, the installation becomes a regular part of the day, and when Christmas comes around again, you lose the sense of excitement.
Although NEC guidelines do not permit year-round Christmas lights, you can still enjoy celebrations year-round. If you miss those extra decorations throughout the year, you can always use them as inspiration for other holidays. You can install specialized lights throughout the seasons, adding a bespoke festive element to occasions like Halloween, Valentine's Day and Independence Day. Instead of relying on one set of lights the whole year, use different seasons and events to get creative and add a personal flair to your exterior decor.
Professional Christmas light installations can also eliminate the hassle. For extra convenience, work with an installer who also takes down the lights at the end of the season. With professional help, you can be as creative as possible while maintaining safety and adhering to NEC guidelines. Remember, any temporary light installation can only remain up for 90 days, so plan your celebrations carefully!
When you have 90 days to enjoy your stunning holiday displays, professional installations help you get the most out of every moment. Professional installers have plenty of high-quality options to choose from and can help you create an eye-catching new design every festive season without boxes of decorations taking up space in storage.
Your professional Christmas light installation will also be high-quality and safe, so you can enjoy the festive season with more peace of mind. Some companies will also help ensure you comply with NEC guidelines — they'll return in January to take down and take away your lights, saving you time and energy. The next year, they'll come back to create a new display!
If you're looking to simplify your Christmas light installation, you have a guy — My Guy Services. We offer Christmas light installation and removal services to ensure you get the most out of your decorations. We want you to enjoy the holidays with your family instead of being buried under a mountain of to-dos!
Our professional team has the training and experience to install your Christmas lights with the utmost care. Our professional-grade C9 LED lights shine bright and last long, adding to the holiday cheer. We also use professional editing software to show you what your home will look like before we install the lights so that they meet your preferences. Contact us to book a Christmas light installation and enjoy some whimsy and creativity in your home this festive season!
