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.

Electrical pre-construction services are a portion of the pre-construction services that are undertaken when a house is to be built. Pre-construction is considered a part of construction management in which specific elements of a project are planned out and coordinated between different contractors. The end goal of pre-construction is to create, implement and complete a project that will best satisfy the needs of the owner.

So why do contractors undertake pre-construction during the process of building a home? There are really two reasons, both of which have to do with ensuring a safe, orderly build that meets the owner’s expectations.

If you have ever watched a cartoon or old TV comedy where the characters are attempting – and failing – to build a house or skyscraper, then you know how important pre-construction planning is to a building project. Pre-construction ensures all contractors are on the same page with regards to the project itself. This permits the project to be completed in a much smoother fashion. It also ensures the safety of all workers involved with the project.

For example, electricians doing risky high-voltage work on the house’s wiring systems can warn other workers to keep their distance. This helps prevent electric shock or fire due to contact with potentially live wires. They can also avoid using certain tools to minimize the risk of damaging the electrical system.

Pre-construction work also ensures the owner’s wishes will be followed as closely as possible. Have you ever seen a home remodeling program on TV where the owners are trying to fix a botched remodel? Much of that hassle can be prevented with better communication. This way the owner’s specifications are met. If there are issues meeting the owner’s needs with the current plans, then their input needs to be sought. This way new plans can be developed to meet their needs.

Electrical pre-construction services are very similar to the pre-construction services provided by other contractors. The process works to save the owner money now and in the long run. These steps may vary depending on the contractor, but usually include the following:

If you have ever attempted to do your own electrical work at home, you know the value of a good electrician. The same goes when you’re having a home built or remodeled. Good electrical pre-construction allows you to save both time and money. A solid pre-construction plan will give you the electrical layout you require. That’s especially important if you plan to utilize solar or other alternative energy sources. It will also help you evaluate your choices and choose equipment that will be the most cost-effective over the years.

Question: A contractor wants me to sign a Partial Release form on a job he hasn’t paid me for yet. Doesn’t that put me at risk of not collecting the money if I’m not really paid after I sign the release form? – Greg Storn

Answer: The good news here is that there is an easy solution to this issue. There are four different legal documents that apply to contracted work: 4. Unconditional Release Upon Final Payment

The only “condition” of a Conditional Release is that the release is valid only if the money specified on the release is paid to the contractor. In other words, if you are 50% complete with a $10,000 job, you can safely sign a Conditional Release Upon Progress Payment for $5,000. If you aren’t paid the $5,000, the release is not valid and you have not given up any of your lien rights to this money.

On the other hand, if you sign and Unconditional Release, you have just given up your rights to whatever amount of money that was on the Unconditional Release from. So the rule is, don’t sigh an Unconditional Release from until the money you are releasing is in your bank account. I’m not talking about a check in your hand, either. I’m saying that you should never sign an unconditional release until that check has cleared and the funds are literally in your bank account.

Some or my company’s corporate clients always ask for a release before they will pay an invoice. No problem, we just send them a Conditional Release Upon Progress Payment or a Conditional Release Upon Final Payment. Later, after their check has cleared into our bank account, we will (if they ask) follow up with an Unconditional Release.

By the way, Conditional Release forms protect both the client and the contractor. If a client gets a Conditional Release form a contractor, they know that they are protected from getting a lien from that contractor, but only if they actually pay the contractor the money specified on the lien.

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In all likelihood, the electrical panel is something you’re familiar with, especially if you have an older home with older wiring. When something stops working in your home, like the refrigerator, it’s often the first thing you check.

But if you find yourself running to the electrical panel often, it’s probably not a good sign. This is just one of the many indicators that you probably need an upgrade. Here are some others:

If you are remodeling your home, you are likely changing out appliances in the kitchen or adding a few new gadgets. And if your home was designed decades ago, the electrical system was simply not made to handle all of these new systems.

As our electrical needs grow, the electrical service has to change, too. The panel is what is responsible for distributing power throughout your home, and attempting to burden an older panel with a large load of appliances could mean major electrical trouble or even a fire hazard.

Do you find yourself resetting one or more circuit breakers all too frequently? Do your lights flicker as soon as you turn on the AC or hot tub? This type of electrical trouble could signal a big problem. Call an electrician to inspect your wiring and your circuit breaker box, and make an upgrade ASAP if this is seen as the best course of action.

Finally, it may be time for an upgrade simply because you have an older panel. If you still have a fuse box, and you need to replace a fuse every time you have electrical trouble, it’s not worth it. A new circuit breaker can replace your fuse box and will be a lot easier to use, and safer too.

Besides, some older panels, even those controlled with circuit breakers, are dangerous. Federal Pacific Electric panels, for example, were widely installed in the middle of the 20th century, but it turns out that most do not trip properly a large percentage of the time, presenting a fire hazard.