Thought I'd relate my experience. I've had most of my Christmas lights on dimmers for years, but last year took it a bit further. I had my trees on X10 controllers that had dimming capability, but they were spotty at best. Last year I pretty much eliminated X10 and went with Smartthings modules. Unfortunately they do not have built in dimmers, so I made up a cord with a simple electrical box and one of the half dozen or so dimmers I pulled out when I updated to smart dimmers.
When I put my trees up I always replace any burned out bulbs, and this year I was amazed. My dining room tree has just short of 500 miniature bulbs and I only had 12 burned out! Usually it's 30 or so. Same in the living room, about 400 bulbs on that tree and only 5 burned out bulbs. You do sacrifice some of the sparkle, I run them at about 90% brightness, but I do also same a bit of energy. I think the big help is the "soft"turn on, the bulbs are not hit with full voltage initially.
My light strings are easily 35+ years old. They are the hard to find 9-12" spacing between bulbs. When I put them on the tree each light is set next to the branch and the wire is looped over the light holding it in place. Take a bit of time but for me well worth it.
When I put my trees up I always replace any burned out bulbs, and this year I was amazed. My dining room tree has just short of 500 miniature bulbs and I only had 12 burned out! Usually it's 30 or so. Same in the living room, about 400 bulbs on that tree and only 5 burned out bulbs. You do sacrifice some of the sparkle, I run them at about 90% brightness, but I do also same a bit of energy. I think the big help is the "soft"turn on, the bulbs are not hit with full voltage initially.
My light strings are easily 35+ years old. They are the hard to find 9-12" spacing between bulbs. When I put them on the tree each light is set next to the branch and the wire is looped over the light holding it in place. Take a bit of time but for me well worth it.
