DIY Lighting Options – Seasonal Lighting Tips

There are many reasons for lighting according to the season, including design, cost, and safety.

Most people have had some experience with stringing Christmas lights. Everywhere you go during the holidays, you will find multicolored lighting displays. There are other occasions that call for specific lighting schemes as well. It may surprise you to know that decoration is not the only reason for seasonal lighting schemes.

In addition to the extra cost, Christmas lights may also present some potential dangers as well, especially in an older home. Some older homes are only designed to handle around 1.8kW, whereas newer ones can sometimes accommodate up to 2.4kW. It is possible to exceed this when you add Christmas lights every year. If you are experiencing an excess of tripped breakers and blown fuses, there are some calculations you can make to determine if you are under the limit. Add all of the wattage on a circuit, being careful to stay at least 10% below the limit.

Light bulbs will burn out quicker in areas, such as the northern climates, where the winters get very cold. The reason for this, however, is a bit more difficult to explain. Basically, if you want your bulbs to last a little longer, try turning them off when the temperature gets bitter cold.

This may not always be possible, however, due to security or decorating reasons. You can get around this problem by replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs. You may have to pay more initially, but you'll never have to replace them again. This type of bulb will typically last for 50,000 hours. That adds up to 34 years if used for four hours a day. They also save you money in the long run because they use only between 1%-8% of the power that incandescents do. This is why they are such a good idea for Christmas lights.

There are other security concerns as well. In the summer, the days are longer and the nights are shorter. You can save a good bit of money during this time of year by adjusting the timer on your flood lights. This will make the bulbs last longer as well. The overall savings can be quite substantial.

The longer days of summer can save you money in different ways as well. Solar powered outdoor lights are one way. The long daylight hours will ensure that your lamps are fully charged with power to spare. These lamps should stay lit for 8-10 hours a night since most of them use LED bulbs. This saving can add up quickly too, depending on how many lights you have around the house.

Another disadvantage of incandescents is that they are more fragile and prone to breaking. Avoid using them in areas where there is high traffic. This is a good idea, especially in areas where kids play. If a bulb does break, the exposed filament can explode if the light is on. This is a health and fire hazard.

When choosing your bulbs, take into consideration the season and application intended.