1. What it actually costs
A typical 10 m warm-white LED string draws about 5 to 8 watts. Even a generously decorated entrance rarely goes past 100 watts in total.
| Setup | Load | 6 hours a night for 10 nights | Approx. cost (common-area tariff ~₹8/unit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 LED light strings + 24 LED diyas | ~30 W | ~1.8 units | ~₹15 |
| Full entrance, lobby and lift lobby (10 strings) | ~80 W | ~4.8 units | ~₹40 |
| Old incandescent serial bulbs, same area | ~500 W | ~30 units | ~₹240 |
So for LED decor the electricity is a rounding error. The real cost is buying the lights and replacing broken ones, which is why storing them carefully after Diwali matters.
2. How long to keep them on
- Days: most societies light up from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj (about 5 days); many keep the entrance lit for 10 days to include the weekend before.
- Hours: dusk (~6 pm) to 11 pm or midnight. A cheap plug-in timer saves the guards remembering.
- Diwali night: leave them on until the cracker area closes.
3. Who pays
- Common-area electricity is already in the maintenance charges, so the lights need no separate collection.
- Buying decor is usually a festival budget line, voted in the committee. The lobby budget calculator gives a figure to put to the vote.
- If residents contribute separately, share receipts in the group. NoticeKart's Diwali contribution circular is a clean template for asking.
4. Safety while they're on
- Outdoor strings must be rated for outdoor use; cover plug joints from rain.
- No strings on the lift doors or near the electrical panel.
- Switch off and unplug if a string flickers or gets warm.
Free printable: the Diwali lobby desk kit gives your guards a guest and delivery register, a lobby welcome sign and a desk rules card, with your society name on them.
On the committee? Get a free lobby layout plan
Send one photo of your lobby or entrance. We'll mark where the rangoli, diyas and lights go and send the plan back within a day. Free, no payment, keep it even if you buy everything yourself. If you'd rather not shop, our kit is ₹3,499 delivered to your gate.