LED fixtures, such as

With energy consumption that is less than half of what 150-watt LED parking lot light that is a direct replacement for 400-watt metal-halide (MH) fixtures. That’s 250 watts less for the same amount of light!

The average price of electricity per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 12 cents. To figure out the monthly cost of running 25 LED parking lot lights for 11 hours per day, use this formula: (combined wattage x monthly hours of use)/1,000 x price per kWh. For 25 LED lights, (3,750 x 330)/1,000 x .12) the total would be $148.50 per month or $1,782 per year.

When the same formula is used for 400-watt MH fixtures, the monthly cost is $396, and yearly cost would be $4,752. So, in this situation, switching to LED fixtures would save approximately $3,000 per year. When coupled with the savings on maintenance, LED fixtures can save $6,470 per year. At that rate, the cost of 25 $340 LED fixtures would be recouped within two years.

Left: LED wall packs; Right: HID wall packs

Unlike LED fixtures that light up instantly, HID parking lot lights require a warmup period of up to 10 minutes before they reach full brightness. They also can’t be turned immediately back on after being switched off; this is called restrike time, and it can take up to 15 minutes before they can be turned on again. Attempting to power on the lights before the bulbs have cooled can damage a fixture’s components and cause the HID bulb to fail sooner.

HID lamps consist of a ballast and a quartz tube that contains gas, metal salts, and two tungsten electrodes. In order to create light, an electric arc passes from one electrode to the other through a gas (most commonly mercury, metal halide, or sodium). The mercury used in this process is dangerous if enough is inhaled or released into the environment. If an HID bulb bursts, all contents should be put into a sealed container or sealed bag and taken to a recycling center or hazardous waste facility. If HID fixtures are used indoors, wall packs and canopy lights, are used indoors, the possibility of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure should be taken into consideration. HID bulbs emit a substantial amount of UV radiation, but an outer glass envelope prevents the radiation from escaping. However—according to the FDA—”If the outer bulb breaks and the inner tube continues to operate unshielded, intense UV radiation is emitted. UV exposure at this level can cause eye and skin burns, as well as blurred or double vision, headaches, and nausea.” The UV light from an HID bulb with a broken envelope can also lead to discoloration of items and fabric. LEDs emit little to no UV radiation.

In short, LED lights are a better alternative to HID parking lot lights. They offer a great deal in the way of savings, longevity, maintenance reduction, brightness, color, and safety. While it may take a short amount of time to recoup the price of switching to LEDs, all of their qualities make it easy to see why so many businesses have started the process.

For technical questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll free at 866-590-3533. Our customer service and technical support teams are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday-Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT on Friday.

In need of a 24-hour electrician in Washington, DC? The experts at Kolb Electric would urge caution! We’ve spent some time talking about scammers in the past, and this situation could put you at risk. Wondering how? For starters, when you need an electrician RIGHT NOW you’re more likely to pay less attention to credentials and reputation. This could lead to shoddy work, dangerous wiring fixes, or just a plain scam!

Looking for a reliable and certified 24-hour electrician in Washington, DC? Contact Kolb Electric right away!

On the surface, nothing at all. Our team offers reliable 24-hour services, and most certified and licensed electricians do. The worry here is pressure. You’re in a pickle, and need a solution right now. And for each trusted professional out there, there’s a scammer who knows you don’t have the time to worry about credentials.

In our posts about scamming and why you should choose a trusted electrician, we talk about how to go about recognizing trustworthy service. We detail things like looking for certification, and checking local peer reviews. And these are all super-duper important! Thing is, you’ve got an emergency on your hands. No one has time to do research in a time like that.

Well, you can certainly do a quick online check. Sites like the BBB (Better Business Bureau) can give you a good idea of whether or not you’re dealing with an accredited and trusted business. But taking your time usually yields better results. The key is to find a team beforehand.

As homeowners, we like having “regulars.” Businesses that we know we can call when we need answers. We do it with a family doctor, or local food joints that we love. Why not do it with home services, too? You should always have major businesses hand-picked for your needs before you need them. Find some roofers, find an HVAC expert, and of course, find an electrician!

Follow these steps to find a reliable electrician for your home:

Our certified and licensed professionals have been providing dependable, trustworthy service to Maryland, DC, and Virginia for nearly a century! We’re proud to say that our satisfied consumers always turn to our team in an emergency. Need a 24-hour electrician in Washington, DC? Contact us!

The band has:

The DMB also launched the Green Music Group, a high-profile environmental coalition of musicians, industry leaders and music fans using their power to bring about widespread environmental change in the music industry. Other members of this environmentally- conscious coalition of musicians include Maroon 5, Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow.

Hear the Band and Get in Tune!  Go Green and Sustain your Home and Community with Positive Change…

*Energy SMART tm refers to items that use less energy and conserve natural resources as compared to similar products that serve the same purpose.  Energy Smart also refers to the ways in which we consume electricity that are less costly energy-wise and generally more efficient.

** Energy Startmis a United States government program created in 1992 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the purpose of reducing energy consumption and green house gas emissions by power plants.  This voluntary labeling program has grown worldwide to include increasingly more consumer products. ENERGY STARtm ratings are given to products that meet a set a strict regulation standards for energy-efficiency and cost-savings.

***Revere the Dark Sky: Certain municipalities throughout the United States have passed laws and ordinances requiring outdoor lighting fixtures on newly constructed homes be “Dark Sky” compliant.

Lighting plans with “dark sky compliancy” provide for an unobstructed view of the stars and planets, protect biorhythms of life and prevent light pollution.  Be sure to incorporate shielded fixtures into your outdoor lighting scheme and position fixtures to avoid glare and superfluous light from interfering with your view of the nighttime sky or shedding unwanted light toward your neighbors’ property.

Continually searching for ways to protect the natural beauty of the universe, the lighting industry and modern technology go hand in hand.  Splendid illumination and thoughtful lighting plans are essential to this quest.

Enjoy the best in outdoor and landscape lighting, as well as fabulous lighting for kitchen and bath.  Visit a Capitol Lighting showroom or shop 1800lighting.com to view outstanding green arrivals to renew your home for sustainability and a cleaner America.

For many business owners, calling someone for an on-demand service involves dipping into the budget set aside for rainy days. However, calling a commercial electrician can actually save your Iowa business money in the long run. By having the local electricians at Electrical Gurus perform electrical maintenance services for your Des Moines business, you could potentially reduce costs and increase safety for your customers and employees.

Most businesses take their electrical service for granted because there are many other things to worry about on a day to day basis, such as how to make enough money to turn the lights on. However, your power system should receive regular checkups from a licensed electrician to ensure your system is not only working properly, but also safely. Electrical maintenance can identify major problems before they happen; this will help your business budget for items that need immediate replacement as well as plan for future electrical improvements down the line. Additionally, the electrical contractors at Electrical Gurus can suggest energy efficient improvements for your business that can help reduce month to month costs. Finally, by calling a commercial electrician, you can guarantee the electrical system of your business is providing a safe environment for customers and employees.

Electrical maintenance often goes overlooked by small businesses. However, by preventing problems instead of reacting once they occur, you can save your business lots of money. Call Electrical Gurus today and have a commercial electrician perform a maintenance check up at your Des Moines business today. You owe it to your customers and employees, and you’ll save plenty of money in the long run by preventing electrical problems.