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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- The holiday season usually means consumers are spending extra cash. Yet this time of year could also mean extra savings.

According to Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU), homes that are lit with LED Christmas lights can save up to 90 percent on energy costs compared to those that are decorated with traditional lights.

"Of course, it depends on how much you use them," Patrice Lehermeirer of CSU said. "But yes, you will see some significant savings on your utilities bill."

Lehermeirer said it  costs the average home about $3 to keep traditional Christmas lights on for five hours a day for 30 days. While that may not seem like much, she said if the home was to use LED lights instead it would only cost 30 cents.

However, some consumers are not sold on using LED bulbs because they usually cost more upfront. Yet experts at Home Depot in Colorado Springs said that is no longer the case.

"They used to be a bit more expensive, but with the advances in technology they are almost the same reasonable price as incandescent bulbs," Stephen Ford, a manager at the Academy Boulevard and Pikes Peak Avenue Home Depot, said.

Ford said LED light bulb sales have increased as well.

"We used to have to recommend LED lights to customers," he said, "now they come in requesting them on their own."

Experts also said it is a bright idea to switch to LED bulbs because they are safer to use.

"LED bulbs are very safe," Lehermeirer said. "They are more durable and aren't made of glass like some traditional bulbs. They don't heat up so you can touch them. It also reduces the risk of fire in your home."

Plus, there is no worry about one bulb outages ruining the entire strand. Lehermeirer said LED Christmas lights are expected to last at least 100 times longer than traditional bulbs.

Saturday, Dec. 3, Colorado Springs Utilities will host a free light exchange at the conservation center located in the 2800 block of Mesa Road. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., people can trade up to three strands of traditional lights and receive up to three strands of LED lights. The exchange will run on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, click here.