How to Set a Christmas Lights Timer
Automate your holiday display with these simple steps
During the holidays, you likely have a lot on your plate. By putting your Christmas lights display on a schedule, you’ll save yourself the daily task of turning them on and off—and you’ll have one less thing to remember. One of the easiest ways to program your holiday lights is to use a timer. Here’s how to set a Christmas lights timer.
Why Set a Christmas Lights Timer?
Using a timer to turn your Christmas lights on and off will not only make your display more convenient, it can make the holiday season safer as well. Turning lights on automatically at night will make it seem to any potential burglars like you’re home, even when you’re not. And turning lights off when you’re not using them can help save on your electric bill.
How to Prep for Setting Up a Christmas Lights Timer
To prep for setting your Christmas lights timer, you should make sure that you have an outlet available that isn’t connected to an on/off light switch so that the timer will be plugged into a constant power source. This is also a good time to check if you’ll need an extension cord.
How to Set a Christmas Lights Timer
Setting up a timer is pretty simple. You’ll need to determine what type of timer you want to use, and then make sure that you can get power from the outlet to the lights. Here are some simple tips to keep in mind.
1. Set a Mechanical Timer
To set a mechanical timer, you need to set the current time first. Plug the timer in and move the outer dial of the timer to match the current time as closely as possible. This is usually done by setting an arrow to line up with the time of day. It’s important to choose an outlet that doesn’t switch off so that the timer will be on all the time.
Next, push in the pins around the outside of the dial for when you want the lights to turn on, and a second one for when you want them to turn off. Plug the lights into your timer, and if your Christmas lights have a switch on the cord or on a power strip they’re plugged into, make sure the switch is in the “on” position.
2. Set a Digital Timer
Set a digital timer by first plugging it into an outlet that’s not connected to a switch. Next, make sure the timer is set to the current time. Then, to schedule your lights display, push the “pro” or program button. Input the times that you want the lights to turn on and off by pushing the “on” button and then the corresponding buttons for the time you want the lights to turn on, and then selecting the “off” button and the corresponding buttons for the time that you want the lights to turn off.
Some digital timers also have buttons for days of the week so that you can set your lights display to turn on and off at different times for different days of the week if you choose. Then, you can plug your Christmas lights in.
3. Set a Smart Timer
To set your smart timer, you should begin by plugging the timer in and connecting it to your cell phone or other wireless device. Most smart timers will have you download an app so that you can control it from your device. You might need to adjust the settings on your phone in addition to the ones on the timer to make the connection. Once you have your device connected, you can use the app to set the timer for your lights and then plug them into the timer receptacle. A smart timer will also allow you to change the time your lights turn on and off remotely, or switch the timer off if you don’t want to use it.
Tips for Using a Christmas Lights Timer
Make sure your timer is plugged into an outlet without a switch so that it will stay on all the time.
To control multiple strings of lights, plug a power strip directly into the timer.
Make sure that the amount of power your lights draw isn’t more than what your outlet is designed for to avoid tripping a circuit breaker.
Leave any switches connected to your Christmas lights on.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Setting a Christmas lights timer is quick and easy, and you’ll only need to account for the cost of the timer itself, which ranges from $10 to $100. But if you were already planning to hire a local Christmas light installer, they can set up a timer for you while installing your lights. Professional Christmas light installation costs between $218 and $665 depending on the size of your display and your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most mechanical and digital timers will only turn your Christmas lights on and off once per day, but a smart timer will likely do so as many times as you want.
Timers work by using an internal switch to turn power on or off to the cord plugged into it. Just the same way that a light switch turns lights on and off, the timer throws the switch at the programmed times.
Yes, Christmas lights on a timer are just as safe as any other Christmas lights are. Most fires caused by holiday lights are due to damage to the strings of lights themselves or from too many lights being plugged into one circuit.