How to Save Money on This Year's Holiday Lighting

Surprisingly, the key to keeping your lighting bill down this winter is not skimping on the decorations this year, though if your budget is tight this year that is definitely ?something to look into.? The real answer for this year?s savings is what kind of bulbs you are using in your decorations.

This year, there are so many different energy efficient bulbs that you can use to curb your energy bill without skimping on the decorations.? Some may seem space age to you and a little more complicated than you care to dive into.? Not to worry, there are two types of bulbs that are available at any of your local hardware or home improvement stores.? Before you start changing out all of your holiday lighting just on our say so, here is some information on both bulbs.

1.)???LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)???

LED?s typically use less power per bulb than your traditional lumen or florescent light bulb.? They also last longer than other bulbs on the market, reducing the amount you spend on replacing the bulbs.? LED?S also generate less heat than any other lighting product on the market right now, making it a very safe chose in a household full of children or pets that could possibly come in contact with the lighting source.? These types of lights are even more ideal for house hold with children because they do not emit any type of ultraviolet radiation, which can cause cell damage.? This factor is also very attractive to many museums ?and memorabilia collections, as ultraviolet radiation will damage artwork.? LED lights are the most effective lights for Christmas lighting.? They are not affected ?by the temperature of the weather.

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2.)???CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lights)

CFL bulbs are extremely efficient, lasting ?up to ten times longer than your traditional light bulbs.?These bulbs are also less expensive than a LED bulb.? CFL?s are very versatile, and can be interchanged almost anywhere iridescent lights are used.? The only exception to this are dimming lights, as not all CFL?s have the capability, and you will have to double check on the packaging if that is the task you want to achieve.? CFL?s are also very ?green? and help reduce the air and water pollution when replacing iridescent bulbs.

The decision of which bulb to buy all comes down to two factors; ?cost and use.? While LED?s are more expensive than CFL?s, they have longer lifetime expectancy.? CFL?s last a very long time as well, but you will have to replace them more often.? If your primary use of the lights is for holiday decorations, LED are the ideal lights for outdoor use and tree lighting as they do not emit heat and are not affected by weather conditions.? If you have more questions on holiday lighting, a good resource is a local electrician or general contractor.? In some cases a general contractor will also do kinds of ?handy man? work, and will put up outdoor holiday lights for you.

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Sam Ott guest blogs for Mike Wolfe, a general contractor who serves mid-Missouri with home repairs, constructions or restorations. Find out more ways a contractor can help you during the holiday season.

Save money and buy your Christmas gifts online ? easier and often cheaper than going to the mall!

Source: http://www.moredollarsathome.com/?p=956

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