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The website HouseMethod.com shows the cost to run Christmas
lights has increased 32% this year in Illinois from 2021, one of
the biggest increases in the country.
Researcher Sam Wasson said they first used the average linear
footage of a roof line on one side of the home for each state to
determine how many strands of lights would be needed. They chose
top-rated products at a home improvement store, such as
incandescent hanging icicle lights, LED string lights, and two
6-foot inflatables.
By finding the wattage usage of the products and the average
electricity rate of each state, Wasson said they were able to
calculate the total cost of running Christmas lights from 6 p.m.
to midnight throughout the season from after Thanksgiving to New
Year’s Day.
“When looking at states like Illinois, Hawaii and a few of the
other top increasing states year-to-year, you go in and if you
look at it, you’ll see that there are utility companies in the
region increasing the price for the cost of electricity for
their homeowners,” Wasson said.
Inflation continues to be a burden on Illinois families and a
major contributor to rising costs are energy prices. The
Citizens Utility Board reports natural gas prices have nearly
tripled in the past two years, and gas futures recently hit a
14-year high.
The HouseMethod.com study found the cost of running Christmas
lights in Illinois this year is $17.22, the highest amount in
the Midwest and 14th highest in the country. Hawaii had the
highest cost at $38.46, while Washington had the lowest at
$10.51.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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