CSU exchanging old holiday lights for cost-saving LEDs

Light emitting diode, or LED, lights help holiday decorators save money and energy.

LED lights use 90 percent less energy than traditional lights and emit less heat. The lights are also more durable and will shine for 100,000 hours.

The lights are more expensive, costing between $7 and $20, depending on the style.

That’s where Colorado Springs Utilities comes in. CSU is hosting a light exchange, through which customers can trade in their traditional lights for a $5 coupon toward LED lights from Ace Hardware Stores.

“They use about 90 percent less energy than a standard light. They’ll also last longer, and they’re a heck of a lot safer, as well,” said Douglas Bursnall, senior conservation specialist with CSU.

Lights can be exchanged at the Mesa Conservation and Environmental Center, at 2588 Mesa Rd. in Colorado Springs.

Customers can trade in up to four strings of lights for four $5 coupons.

Last year, CSU was exchanging a strand of old lights for a strand of LED lights. It said this year, it wanted to give people more options as to what style of LED lights they would like to hang.

“People like to light their houses in different ways. Some people like icicle, some people like the multicolor lights, and some people like the white ones. This way, people can go in and choose which lights they want,” said Bursnall.

Bursnall said the coupons are valid through Dec. 24.

Customers can also trade in up to 16 compact fluorescent light bulbs for 16 incandescent bulbs at the MCEC.