LED Christmas Lights
kitty @ Thu Dec 13, 2007 7:53 am
Remember when Clark Griswold covered his home with 25,000 lights in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? When he lit up his ’gingerbread’ house the electricity metre began rapidly spinning, and his neighbourhood’s power station resorted to auxiliary nuclear power. Imagine the bill?!?
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Too bad Clark didn’t have access to light-emitting diode technology -- LED lights -- that use as much as 95 percent less electricity than their inefficient predecessors and last up to 10 times longer.
LED technology
Unlike halogen and incandescent lights LEDs use a semiconductor crystal chip that emits light when an electrical current passes through. Since there are no filaments and no moving parts to break, LEDs last longer and use less energy.
Replacing new with old
Many stores no longer sell non-LED Christmas lights, so if you haven’t yet updated your holiday lighting, you should. These modern lights offer a variety of colours and shapes; and while older LEDs can be noticeably dimmer, the technology has quickly improved.
Takes some adjusting
Some people argue that the light emitted from their LEDs is too "cold", lacking the warm hues given off by more traditional strings of lights. Meanwhile, others can’t imagine living without this new technology.
Saves money
Consumer Reports report that LED systems saves you $10 dollar per every 300 hours, lasting up to 100,000 hours (based on the fact that when the light output has depreciated to less than 50 percent the light source has effectively expired).
But the life of your LED system is dependent on a number of factors including the colour; red and green LEDs seem to last longer than blue and white.
Other benefits to LED lighting include that the bulbs do not grow as hot, reducing the risk of a fire; and LED bulbs are much harder to break than their glass and filament ancestors.
Do your homework
The best thing to do is shop wisely -- LEDs are a relatively new technology for consumers. You should ask friends, family and colleagues which brands and types they prefer. Try one type of LED light out before committing yourself to multiple holiday strings. And although costs have come down substantially, you might need to pay a little extra for high-quality LEDs.
Environmental Lighting is a good place to get you started on your search since it lists over 280 string products including the newest trends of LED shapes.
And if the sheer gaudiness of LEDs is overwhelming then check out Little Bright Lights, offering more low key holiday lighting.
Start at City Hall
For the past few years now, many municipalities have held exchange programs, where you can trade in your old inefficient lights for new LEDs. You should be able to find one of these programs near you and this may be the best way to get started when it comes to LED Christmas lighting. (Ontario municipalities are promising not to use the brand that resulted in the 2006 recall.)
May your holiday be merry and LED bright!
LINK
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Blue_Nose @ Thu Dec 13, 2007 7:59 am
I made the switch to LED, insofar as I had to buy a few sets of minilights and bought LED - I'm still using the old minilights that still worked.
$1:
Takes some adjusting
Some people argue that the light emitted from their LEDs is too "cold", lacking the warm hues given off by more traditional strings of lights. Meanwhile, others can’t imagine living without this new technology.
Some people argue that the light emitted from their LEDs is too "cold", lacking the warm hues given off by more traditional strings of lights. Meanwhile, others can’t imagine living without this new technology.
I had this issue with the colour as well - I originally thought that the "Pure White" lights would be best, but they ended up giving off a very unnatural bluish colour which looked like crap in the garland.
I took them back and got the "Warm White" type, and they look great.
I haven't seen the larger bulbs in action, so I don't know how they are.
Ripcat @ Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:17 am
Lights and Christmas Trees may contain Lead
$1:
If you've been shopping for holiday lights this season, you may have noticed a warning label on some of them stating that they may contain lead.
The warning is required by the State of California's Proposition 65. This law requires a warning label on any product containing a substance known to cause cancer or birth defects that is sold in California. Lead is listed as a carcinogen, but it's more widely associated with neurological damage.
Wire coating and cords are usually made of PVC plastic that may contain lead. Lead is used in PVC for several reasons. For wires and cords, lead makes the plastic more flexible and reduces the risk of fire. Lead is also used in many PVC products to stabilize the color. Lead in PVC products can disintegrate into lead-laced dust.
The labels began appearing on holiday lights, as well as on electronic equipment and cords on other consumer products such as hairdryers, after a number of lawsuits were filed by an environmental advocacy organization in California.
The amount of lead in the lights and other consumer products with warning labels may vary considerably. It is not clear if the amount of lead that is released poses a risk to human health. Some tests show that lead could come off in the hands. Note that nearly all appliance cords are covered with PVC that contains lead.
We recommend the following:
Do not allow children to handle holiday lights!
Adults should wash hands thoroughly after handling the lights.
Avoid lights made in China and other foreign countries, where there are no restrictions against the use of lead in consumer products. Lights made in the U.S. are likely to contain smaller amounts of lead, especially in the coating. CHEC's Safer Products Store offers a holiday light set that the manufacturer claims is lead-free, with the exception of the cord.
Do not assume that holiday lights that do not bear the warning label are lead-free. It is possible that the lights are not sold in California. California is the only state that requires the warning label.
Older lights that have not been labeled may also contain lead.
Artificial Christmas trees are also made of PVC and could contain lead as well. Trees may shed lead-laced dust, which may cover branches or shower gifts and the floor below the tree. Contact the manufacturer to ask if your tree contains lead. Or have it tested. You can order a test kit from the Environmental Quality Institute at the University of North Carolina. Mail your order with a $15 check to: FE/EQI CPO #2331, UNC-Asheville, Asheville, NC 28804.
If you cannot ensure that your tree is lead-free and you have children in your home, we suggest that you dispose of the artificial tree and purchase a new tree. The most environmentally friendly choices are potted trees that can be planted in the spring or live trees raised on sustainably managed farms, or organic Christmas trees.
The warning is required by the State of California's Proposition 65. This law requires a warning label on any product containing a substance known to cause cancer or birth defects that is sold in California. Lead is listed as a carcinogen, but it's more widely associated with neurological damage.
Wire coating and cords are usually made of PVC plastic that may contain lead. Lead is used in PVC for several reasons. For wires and cords, lead makes the plastic more flexible and reduces the risk of fire. Lead is also used in many PVC products to stabilize the color. Lead in PVC products can disintegrate into lead-laced dust.
The labels began appearing on holiday lights, as well as on electronic equipment and cords on other consumer products such as hairdryers, after a number of lawsuits were filed by an environmental advocacy organization in California.
The amount of lead in the lights and other consumer products with warning labels may vary considerably. It is not clear if the amount of lead that is released poses a risk to human health. Some tests show that lead could come off in the hands. Note that nearly all appliance cords are covered with PVC that contains lead.
We recommend the following:
Do not allow children to handle holiday lights!
Adults should wash hands thoroughly after handling the lights.
Avoid lights made in China and other foreign countries, where there are no restrictions against the use of lead in consumer products. Lights made in the U.S. are likely to contain smaller amounts of lead, especially in the coating. CHEC's Safer Products Store offers a holiday light set that the manufacturer claims is lead-free, with the exception of the cord.
Do not assume that holiday lights that do not bear the warning label are lead-free. It is possible that the lights are not sold in California. California is the only state that requires the warning label.
Older lights that have not been labeled may also contain lead.
Artificial Christmas trees are also made of PVC and could contain lead as well. Trees may shed lead-laced dust, which may cover branches or shower gifts and the floor below the tree. Contact the manufacturer to ask if your tree contains lead. Or have it tested. You can order a test kit from the Environmental Quality Institute at the University of North Carolina. Mail your order with a $15 check to: FE/EQI CPO #2331, UNC-Asheville, Asheville, NC 28804.
If you cannot ensure that your tree is lead-free and you have children in your home, we suggest that you dispose of the artificial tree and purchase a new tree. The most environmentally friendly choices are potted trees that can be planted in the spring or live trees raised on sustainably managed farms, or organic Christmas trees.
There are more links to info if you follow the above link.
I'm curious if we all suffer from neurological damage.
Blue_Nose @ Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:20 am
That sounds a lot like the window blinds scare a few years ago.
Tricks @ Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:53 am
My entire house is probably covered with them.
harsh @ Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:45 am
Some Information and Benefits of using LED lights:
The LED (Light Emitting Diode) light bulb is actually a cluster of individual LED units. Many of these produce white light but others generate light of other wavelengths. The exact combination yields the desired light tone.
LED lighting falls into the SSL lighting category (Solid State Lighting). This simply means that the light seen is emitted from a solid object, rather than a vacuum or a gas.
The Specific Benefits of LED Light
* Energy efficiency – LED lights bulbs[/url] burn very cool, while incandescent bulbs emit 98 per cent of their energy as heat! Much more bang for the buck.
* Long life – LED lights can last from 50,000 to 100,000 hours. Incandescent light bulbs typically last around 1,000 hours and fluorescent are good for roughly 10,000 hours.
* Rugged durability – LED lights have no fragile filament to contend with, and no fragile tube. They are resistant to heat, cold, and shock.
SideShowCecil @ Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:34 am
I really have mixed feelings about LED lights. The lower power consumption certainly makes them an attractive option. And my new gadget fascination draws me to them as well. But most of the LED light strings I’ve seen look more like Halloween lighting than Christmas. I’m a pretty stodgy old traditionalist when it comes to Christmas so I’ll hold off on the LED lights for a while longer.
I did upgrade all my landscape lighting to 12 volt LED fixtures this summer and I’m very happy with them. The warm white bulbs don’t have any of that eerie blueness to them and they actually cast more than enough light to safely illuminate the walkway and the stairs. At a half watt per bulb the eighteen LED fixtures are drawing less power than one single incandescent fixture.
FrancescoIgnagn @ Wed Dec 25, 2013 3:55 am
LED Lights are most sufficient lights including LED minis, LED Icicle lights, LED net lights and these lights are available in many size and styles some Led lights are fashioned like snowflakes or snow men. They are constructor in such a way that they are impervious to moisture, heat and cold.
Nice try with the spam in the sig....
Merry Xmas.....H
martin14 @ Wed Dec 25, 2013 4:14 am
figured it was only a question of time till the fucking Christmas span came out.
Fuck off, spammer.
PostFactum @ Wed Dec 25, 2013 4:15 am
Necro spam post, how cute
Centre @ Wed Dec 25, 2013 6:50 am
John Chakalos, 87, was found murdered inside his Windsor home last week.
The couple were popular for a brilliant holiday lights display — which featured 6 million bulbs — at their Windsor estate.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nationa ... z2oUiKVCJc
Jabberwalker @ Wed Dec 25, 2013 6:52 am
... brought to you by the Light Emmitting Diode Society ...
PluggyRug @ Wed Dec 25, 2013 12:16 pm
Led's consume as much energy as incandescent bulbs when there's a power outage..
dian11 @ Thu Jan 09, 2014 12:56 am
This is very good. I like it 
jayden @ Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:42 pm
I am totally agreed with you Kitty. LED lights are energy efficient and money saving lights. These lights are also Eco friendly because they contain no hazardous material.