Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Energy Saving Tips For Lighting Displays

By Odessa Edwards


When preparing for a holiday season, intricate lighting displays can significantly add to the energy costs in a home. Rather than a home owner altering his or her decorative plans in order to save energy, it is advisable to try alternative lighting technologies. Energy efficient fiber optics and LEDs (light emitting diodes) can help in saving energy, time and money, while still getting an attention-grabbing and bright holiday display.

The manufacture of LED lights is done using a coated semi-conductor material that, when charged with electricity, emits light. For many years, they have been used to make applications like alarm clocks and exit signs. Although initially light emitting diodes were thought to produce a light output that was too low to make decorative lighting, recent advances in technology have improved the quality of their light and brightness.

LED bulbs come in a wide variety of styles, colors, and shapes. They can be used in a number of applications, and also have several advantages in comparison with traditional technologies applied in holiday lighting. Perhaps their biggest advantage is their high energy efficiency. The C7 bulbs that were in use traditionally utilize about 100 times more energy than LED bulbs, and about ten times more energy in miniature lighting.

Another advantage is that they have a longer lifespan, as LED bulbs can have a lifespan of 100 000 hours, helping in alleviating costs of replacement. They have a solid state construction, meaning that they are water-resistant, weather-resistant and durable. Their manufacture has been done in a way that their safety is improved, since they are cool to touch and risk posed by contacting flammable materials is reduced.

The most widely used bulbs in decorative holiday displays are C7 and miniature incandescent bulbs. However, when compared to LED lights, they need to be replaced frequently and have more operational costs despite providing bright and high-quality light. Although it is more expensive to buy LED lights than traditional bulbs, a return on investment is provided by their cheaper operating costs over the bulbs lifespan. Moreover, the longer lifespan and durability associated with them reduces costs of maintenance and replacement.

Fiber optic holiday trees are capable of adding convenience and variety to decorative holiday displays since setting them up and removing them is easy. A single bulb of between 5 and 50 watts can be used to illuminate each tree. From that single bulb, light is transmitted through hundreds, or in some cases thousands of small fibers producing light along every branch of the tree. These fibers remain cool to the touch as only light is transmitted, decreasing the fire hazard common in traditional trees and also saving energy.

When fiber-optic trees were first introduced they used incandescent bulbs only. Nowadays, numerous retailers sell trees with LED lights located at the base. As is the case with other options for a decorative holiday, the LED versions last longer and are more energy efficient. Depending on their size, the prices of fiber-optic trees vary widely, and are generally more expensive when compared to incandescent models.

When preparing to set up lighting displays, it is of great importance to follow the instruction specified by the manufacturer concerning storage, safe maintenance and operations. This reduces accidents and hazards.




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