Recycling Energy-Saving Light Bulbs: A Comprehensive Guide

A council in London have teamed up with a leading light bulb recycling service in order to install specialist energy-saving light bulb recycling points at nineteen locations around the Lambeth area. After a government grant was received, the containers were fitted so that residents of the area have a safe place to dispose of their energy-saving lighting solutions and batteries, which contain very small amounts of mercury and can be damaging to the environment if not processed in the right way.

The mercury contained in most energy-saving light bulbs is well within the safety limits of 5mg; most only contain around 2.5mg of the substance (enough to cover the tip of a ballpoint pen). The mercury is used to generate light efficiently and cannot escape from a light bulb when it is in use, but the disposal of the light bulbs in the wrong way can cause a crack and allow mercury leakage. These bulbs should never be thrown into normal rubbish or household recycling bins for precisely this reason. There are now energy-saving bulb recycling points across the whole of the UK exactly like those fitted in Lambeth, which provide a safe and secure way to dispose of energy-saving light bulbs without potentially damaging the environment or harming someone.

In some cases, bulbs accidentally break when they are being fitted or replaced. Accidental breakage is unlikely to cause harm, but it is considered good practice to reduce the exposure to both the mercury and the possibility of injury from broken glass. In the unlikely event of breakage of an energy-saving light bulb in the home or in the workplace, ensure that windows are open for fifteen minutes and leave the room to air. Never use a vacuum cleaner to clear up broken glass or bulb parts, and always use rubber gloves when handling the debris in order to protect the hands. If the bulb breaks on a surface, clean the surface with a damp cloth and place all broken parts (and the cloth) into a sealed plastic bag. This should then be disposed of in the same way as a working light bulb: by taking it to a local waste and recycling centre, with specialist recycling facilities for such items.

Luckily, the considerable life span of these light bulbs means that they only have to be changed once every dozen or so years, minimising the number of times these recycling facilities will be used. Energy-saving light bulbs are designed to consume less energy and last for longer, so trips to designated recycling spots will be few and far between for many members of the public.

ACE Recommends Government Plan For Electrical Efficiency

The Association for the Conservation of Energy (ACE) has encouraged the government to take more of a stand on the subject of energy-saving. The organisation represents some of Britain's leading industrial names, including E.ON, Honeywell and Carillion, and have taken the step of writing to the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Davey, in order to express their concerns that the UK's electricity bills are not being tackled in the way that they should. The letter urges the government to 'aim higher' and use their upcoming enery bill in order to initiate huge change in the UK's overall energy efficiency levels.

The bill as it currently stands allots £1bn to energy companies to distribute in whatever way they believe might decrease energy consumption or increase efficiency. This could be something as large as building an energy-efficient power plant, or something as basic as fitting all workplaces and headquarters with energy-saving lighting solutions. However, research provided by ACE, Green Alliance and WWF has shown that this kind of investment is a mere drop in the ocean; a similar amount allocated in the US only saw 3% of the total funds being distributed in an effective way. Wth this amount, the organisations were only likely to reduce energy demand by 10% each year. It is believed this figure should be much higher, with the government aiming to put 'green' issues at the very top of their agenda.

Investment in the energy infrastructure is not the only way in which people, from households to headquarters, can contribute to the energy-efficiency levels within the UK. Business owners can take steps to reduce the carbon footprint of their own organisation by kitting out their workplace with energy-saving light bulbs, and those within the home can choose similar options, with environmentally-friendly LED light bulbs also touted as great ways to cut down on emissions for everyone in the country.

Replacing one energy-guzzling halogen light bulb with a standard 4.5-watt LED light bulb can have potential electricity savings of up to £145.80 over the course of the bulb's considerably lengthy life span. This makes bulb replacement one of the most attractive and easy ways in which everyone can contribute to reducing carbon footprints and electrical demand. The bulbs use far less electricity than older models, and not only do they offer savings for electricity bills on a domestic scale, they will also be helping the country out on a national scale, whether the government follow ACE's recommendations or not.

2013: The Year of the LED?

One of the most influential publications in the world, TIME magazine, has predicted that this will be the year in which everyone switches to LED light bulbs. The magazine has published a feature-length article which discusses the merits of the bulbs and examines the contributing factors behind 2013 being the year of the LED.

The LED is described as a bulb which takes the warm and cosy illumination offered by energy-guzzling incandescent light bulbs, and the incredible energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of compact fluorescent bulbs, and combines them to create one all-purpose lighting solution. The negatives of both of these types of bulb have been eliminated; the inefficient nature of the incandescent light bulb is now an outdated echo from years which had never known the phrase ‘global warming’, whilst the ‘warm-up’ phase from the CFL bulb has been all but removed. LEDs provide instant warm light with a variety of temperatures, wattages, shapes and sizes available.

Though not yet the standard in American, or indeed the UK, the prevalence of these bulbs is growing every day as consumers wake up to the possibility of reducing their energy bills whilst protecting the environment and illuminating their home in an attractive way. Experts have calculated the energy savings that could be made by each LED bulb over the course of its life span, and the results are often many times the amount the bulb cost to purchase initially. A standard LED GU10 6-Watt Light Bulb, which is an alternative to the old 50-watt bulbs which have now been phased out, is estimated to save £158.40 over the course of its considerable life span.

The life span itself is also a vital advantage for the LED. The lighting solutions which are used every day, such as overhead lounge lights or under cupboard kitchen lights are required to have long life spans; if a standard 6-watt LED light bulb was used for five hours every day, it would last for just over sixteen years. These figures are even more astounding for things such as bathroom lighting, which is not consistently used, or feature lighting which is used decoratively and not in an extensive manner; life spans for bulbs used for these purposes can reach more than twenty years.

The prices of LEDs are also decreasing as they become easier to manufacture due to more technological developments. A standard LED GLS 6-Watt Light Bulb, which is used as an alternative to traditional 60-watt bulbs, costs a little over £12.99, and with consideration given to the life span and the energy savings these bulbs boast, they can be said to have paid for themselves within a year.  With the initial prices decreasing and the energy savings ever attractive to consumers, TIME magazine’s prediction that 2013 will be the year of the LED might not be far wide of the mark.

The Right Bulb For The Right Purpose

Light bulbs are a integral to the overall ambience of a home. They can be used to create effective mood lighting, and with clever use of colour temperatures they can give a room a very specific ‘feel’. But this can only be achieved by matching the right lighting solution to the right room. This guide outlines the main rooms in the house and offers suggestions on how to make the best of the space using just the most basic of solutions; light.

Living Room

The living room is the heart of the house, the place where the majority of people spend most of their time, and the place where most entertaining takes place. As such,the living room should be a warm and inviting space where people feel comfortable and relaxed. Light bulbs with warm temperatures are a great choice for living spaces; in previous years this could usually be achieved with an incandescent light bulb, which has a temperature of 2,700 Kelvins, but with advances in lighting technology, energy-saving LED light bulbs can now be used to replicate this comforting and hospitable ambience.

Bedroom

The bedroom is also a place for a warm ambience, but without the brightness and vitality which is associated with living spaces. Mood lighting, feature lamps and dimmable LED light bulbs are recommended  for the bedroom, as they can be tailored to the demands of the room. Getting ready for work on a dark winter morning will require a higher level of light than reclining in bed reading a book or catching up with some television; the flexible level of light offered by these different lighting solutions is befitting of this multipurpose room.

Kitchen

The kitchen is also a well-used room in the house, with many people choosing to double up this room as a dining room. Cooking and eating requires a high level of light, with bright and vibrant daylight shades often chosen for the kitchen. Energy-saving daylight bulbs keep the room brightly illuminated and create a fresh ambience perfect for early evening meals or revitalising breakfasts. Installing track lighting on the underside of kitchen cabinets is also a great lighting solution for this space, and gives people optimum illumination for preparing their meals.

Bathroom

The bathroom is a tricky room to light because of the excess condensation and steam which will inevitably be a frequent occurrence. Downlighters are a great solution for this room, as their waterproof qualities prevent any electrical malfunctions, and they can be spaced at intervals which offer even and constant light. Lighted mirrors are also a popular choice, with LED technology incorporated into the mirrored surface to leave no dark spots or hidden areas when shaving or applying make-up.

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Timed Energy Saving Lighting Solutions for Enhanced Home Protection

The early months of the year are traditionally strong months for holiday bookings with families, friends and couples attempting to stave off the winter gloom and give themselves something to look forward to. When booking holidays there are a number of things that should be considered besides the holiday itself. Getting someone to look after the dog or feed the cat may be troublesome, but protecting a home from burglars whilst away is a simple task. Lighting timers are a great way to make it look as though someone is home when the property is empty, although this does mean that lights will be left on for long periods of time; especially those on landings or in hallways. Not wanting to return from holiday to discover a shockingly large electricity bill, kitting out the house with energy-saving light bulbs not only relieves pressure on the wallet but plays a part in helping the environment too.

The Energy Saving GU10 Light Bulb is generally considered to be one of the best alternatives to the standard halogen bulbs. They give off the same amount of light as their incandescent predecessors and they manage to save large amounts of energy in the process, perfect for times when they will be left on for long periods of time. The savings on electricity can reach up to 80% and prices start from around £3.99, which makes them ideal for placing in hallways or on landings whilst away on holiday.

The other most popular way to replace energy wasting halogen bulbs is to use Energy Saving GLS Bulbs. Like the GU10s, these are considered to be the direct replacements to the older bulbs and fit straight into the lighting fixtures that were vacated by the older models. Their Edison Screw or Bayonet Cap bases are compatible with the most prevalent lighting fixtures in the UK, so it is easy to simply switch from energy-wasting to energy-savvy without having to rewire any fittings or replace any bulb holders. GLS bulbs are inexpensive and environmentally friendly, with similar energy-saving credentials to the GU10 bulbs. They come mainly in the familiar ‘bulb-like’ shape that many people are used to, and are available in different colour temperatures so the aesthetic of the home need not be altered by a switch to energy-efficiency. 

Lighting timers can also be used in conjunction with dimmable energy saving light bulbs. Rather than blasting a bulb at full power for long periods of time whilst the homeowners are away, they can simply set their bulbs to turn on at a much dimmer brightness using even less energy and still giving the illusion that people are home. A great way to keep up the impression that the house is occupied and keep potential criminals at bay, the use of dimmer lights during the evening is a more convincing image for the observant burglar than a house full of bright lights.

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Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: The Basics

It is a common misconception that the energy-saving light bulb is a relatively new invention. It was, however, first invented back in the 1940s in collaboration between George Inman and General Electric. Known as a ‘compact fluorescent bulb’ or a CFL, these energy-efficient bulbs work on entirely different principles than the incandescent bulbs invented by Thomas Edison. As they begin to come to prevalence over the conventional older bulbs, it is important for the public to understand how CFLs differ from incandescent bulbs, and why they are a more efficient lighting solution for the vast majority of homes and businesses.

CFL bulbs function as a result of an electric current passing through a mixture of argon gas and mercury vapour. As the current passes through the mixed substance, the mercury vapour emits an ultraviolet light, which then interacts with a layer of phosphor on the side of the CFL. This emits photons in the visible light range and illuminates the area. This is why CFLs initially need more electricity and take a few seconds to ‘warm up’; the electric current flow must be generated to an appropriate level before the bulb hits its full brightness. Once this flow has reached its maximum amount a CFL uses a good deal less energy than an incandescent bulb to provide the same level of illumination. 

The main difference between energy-efficient light bulbs and incandescent light bulbs is that the newer, more eco-conscious models have no filament. Incandescent bulbs rely on heating this filament to produce light, so without such a process in place, the new bulbs reduce the amount of heat energy wasted by massive amounts. The lack of filament also means that there are less parts to ‘burn out’ or falter as time goes on. CFLs have life spans that can reach into the decades depending on their usage; the initial price of the CFL is slightly higher than an incandescent bulb, but their longevity ensures they will outlive their energy-wasting predecessors and end up saving money in the process. 

The energy-saving bulbs that are on the shelves today come in a vast variety of shapes and wattages, with different bases to ensure that those wishing to install them need not make wholesale changes to their electrical configurations. They are available for use with dimmable switches as well as spotlights and other decorative or feature lighting, making them one of the most diverse ways to light up a room. Their cost-effective nature combined with their green credentials, which are always being improved upon in the latest technological advancements, are just two of the many reasons why the switch to CFLs and energy-saving lighting solutions cannot be ignored.

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LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are the fastest growing lighting solution on the planet, with many thousands of people choosing them for their higher levels of efficiency and their consistently bright light. Becoming increasingly popular, experts are trying to hone the technology even further in order to get the very best results out of these energy saving light bulbs. Experts at Dundee University are taking up the challenge of enhancing the LED market with a major European research project which aims to revolutionise lighting all across the world.

The premise of the project is to create a whole new generation of LED light bulbs which emit white light. They would be more efficient than existing bulbs and other LEDs, and if they were successfully developed in a way that would make them affordable for consumers and viable to mass-produce, they could help to reduce global CO2 emissions and energy consumption.

White LEDs currently have an efficiency rating of around 25%. This is still higher than halogen and incandescent bulbs, which expend the vast majority of their energy through wasteful heat energy, but the percentages can be improved upon with this study. The researchers in Dundee are aiming to create a white LED which would be around 50%-60% efficient; a huge improvement and a quantum leap in the world of energy saving lighting. Energy consumption for everyday users would be vastly decreased, resulting in much smaller energy bills, and the eco-conscious element of the bulbs means much less contribution to a person carbon footprint. The new LEDs also offer users improved control over aspects such as brightness and tone, which can be a unique selling point for purposes such as feature or commercial lighting.

The research is just the latest in a long-line of technology-enhancing projects regarding LED light bulbs that are commencing or coming to fruition. One such LED bulb that has recently been introduced, can even be controlled remotely via a smartphone app. These so-called ‘intelligent’ light bulbs are entirely controlled through WiFi systems. They can change colour at the touch of a button and the light levels across the home can be controlled from this one handheld focal point. Many companies are also undertaking research to make their bulbs brighter and more efficient for less energy, paving the way for LED light bulbs to become ubiquitous in years to come.

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Bring on Spring with BLT Direct’s Range of Daylight Light Bulbs

Spring is approaching at what seems to be snail’s pace; the mornings and evenings are steadily getting lighter and despite monumentally bad weather across the country in recent weeks, temperatures seem to be finally climbing. The freshness of spring can be kick-started by using daylight light bulbs, which have been created specifically to imitate that rejuvenating and pleasant glow of sunlight rather than the artificial ‘yellow’ created by many light bulbs. If a home feels dull and has suffered the effects of a long and bleak winter, brightening it up with some cleverly placed daylight light bulbs can help it appear as though spring as sprung much sooner.

Lighting colours are measured on a scale called the Kelvin (K) scale. Lower colour ‘temperatures’ contain more red light and appear warmer, whilst those with a higher blue content appear to be colder. Standard light bulbs sit at around 2700K, closer to red than blue, whereas daylight bulbs are much closer to natural light at around 6500K. Swapping an older bulb for one of these more natural looking modern bulbs can brighten the home and have a whole range of other benefits besides.

Lifestyle-wise, using light bulbs which imitate daylight shades within the home has a range of advantages for all members of the family. Research has found that using such bulbs in schools or places of work results in lower levels of fatigue and higher levels of concentration, with academic or work-related performance levels boosted in the presence of these bulbs. Eye strain is lessened, and general well-being is improved, making the swap to these bulbs a necessary change for those who find winter a tough time of year.

Disregarding the benefit that a more natural type of illumination will bring to any home, the next most important aspect of these daylight bulbs is their energy-saving credentials. Many last for up to 8,000 hours and boast the ability to reduce running costs by around 80%. A standard GU10 energy-saving light bulb in a daylight shade will last for approximately 8,000 hours and over the course of this incredible life span, will end up saving the users around £31.68 on their electricity bills.

Switching to daylight lighting solutions does not have to mean ripping out all existing fixtures and fittings and installing new ones. The vast majority of these bulbs on the market today come with the popular Edison screw or bayonet cap bases, which are the most commonly encountered bases in many homes. The energy-saving GLS 11-watt daylight light bulb are considered to be like for like replacements for the familiar GLS bulbs, except the focus is placed less on the yellow-tinged light and more on a refreshing, daylight-style illumination. They can be swapped simply and easily and will integrate into any home immediately.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

EEM – The Energy Efficient Mortgage

An increased mortgage scheme from the 1980s has seen a resurgence in popularity in America, as future homeowner attempt to make their properties more compatible with green energy solutions. The EEM stands for an Energy Efficient Mortgage, and features a larger loan which buyers can use to convert to energy-efficient power sources across the entire property. This could include solar panels, LED light bulbs, double glazing and insulation.

Research has showed that residential energy consumption in the USA has declined year-on-year since the 1990s, which is a remarkable statistic when taking into consideration the amount of technology which has been implemented into homes in this time. The decrease has been put down to increased awareness of energy issues, and also on the emphasis placed on schemes such as replacing incandescent light solutions with their energy-saving light bulb counterparts. The EEM mortgages help to fund these types of upgrades for all houses and will surely contribute to an even lower rate of consumption in the homes of those who take out such mortgages.

The loans amount to no more than 5% of the original property value, but a home which is fully equipped with the latest energy-saving lighting solutions, insulation equipment and energy-efficient technology can end up being sold for much more than it was originally purchased for. ‘Green’ homes are more attractive to buyers nowadays and the installation of such features can add thousands to asking prices. These environmentally-friendly additions to the home will also help the homeowner to save money whilst they are residents there; their energy costs will decline by an incredible amount, with savings on heating and electricity almost guaranteed for a home which has been renovated to ensure efficiency. Also, though the loan is significantly larger than the original price of the mortgage and the property, the extra amount granted to buyers does not increase their down payment and it has no effect on their interest rate. It is simply added to the existing loan, and the terms of the original mortgage apply.

The Energy Efficient Mortgage has not taken off in the UK to the extent that it has in the USA as of yet, but with many lenders and banks introducing green incentives and assistance to their customers wishing to go ‘green’, the advantages of converting to sustainable and energy-saving power sources and accessories are plentiful. Not only are savings almost guaranteed from the minimised use of power from energy companies, who charge over the odds for their services, homeowner are contributing to the future by providing ecologically sound homes for their children and grandchildren.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Offset Carbon Footprints and Energy Bills Simultaneously With Energy-Saving Light Bulbs

Temperatures have severely dropped all across the UK in recent weeks, and after a relatively mild December and Christmas season, the freezing cold weather has started to hit many parts of the country. Snow and ice has hit the roads and a bitter wind is making temperatures dip below freezing more often than many would like. This has the knock-on effect of much more energy being consumed within homes in order to keep them warm and protected from the elements; with energy rates always rising and the environment’s ecological state considered to be deteriorating, many are wondering how they can offset the funds and energy they will spend on keeping their homes heated this winter. One of the best ways to achieve this is by swapping conventional light bulbs for the more modern energy-saving lighting solutions which consume less energy, provide more light and save money in the long run.

Switching to LED lights or other types of energy-saving light bulb is an extremely simple process. Many of the newer bulbs have identical bases to their older counterparts, so they can easily be swapped over without a fuss. There is no need to have extra lighting fixtures fitted, and no need for extraordinary measures in order to accommodate this new technology.

The initial outlay of these bulbs might be considerably more than a traditional bulb, but their significantly longer life-span and lower energy consumption results in much higher savings in the long run, helping to offset those cold winters for years to come. These bulbs can save more than £50.00 in electricity bills over the course of their lifetime, with some savings even estimated at more than £100.00; running costs in general are reduced by 70%. These calculations are for each and every bulb, and so the heating bills will almost pay themselves once the house is lit by energy-saving light bulbs.

The lower level of energy consumption is also desirable for those who wish to ‘go green’, as is common with many who are concerned about the state of the planet. Cutting one’s own carbon footprint is the best way to be pro-active about making this planet more eco-friendly, and using energy-efficient lighting solutions is an important step in this process. The bulbs have a better light quality than their incandescent predecessors, and there appear to be only advantages regarding these bulbs, especially where lighting the home in the cold winter season is concerned.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Energy Saving Light Bulb Disposal: A Guide

Energy saving lighting solutions are becoming more and more prevalent in the homes and businesses of today, as people look to cut energy costs and become more aware of the carbon footprints that their energy consumption leaves behind. The advantages of using these bulbs are seemingly endless; they last for much longer than regular bulbs, they burn brighter, they consume far less energy and they are environmentally-friendly. But with the surge in popularity of these lighting solutions, there also comes the question of how to dispose of these bulbs.

Disposing of energy saving light bulbs properly is vital in the bid to protect the environment, as each one contains an average of five milligrams of mercury. If exposed due to incorrect disposal of these bulbs, this small amount can pollute much larger amounts of air and water. Though the mercury is utterly harmless when encased within the bulb, if the glass is broken and the mercury escapes during the disposal of the bulb, they can pose risks both to the public and to the environment.

When disposing of these types of bulb, it is important to understand that they should only be thrown away into normal bins if there is no other option, and even then, they should be wrapped tightly in plastic bags which are sealed. Alternatively, there are many recycling stations across the UK which handle hazardous materials and understand how to get rid of such items which are potentially harmful.

If one of these energy-saving light bulbs is smashed, it is also important to take the right precautions. All windows should be opened and the room should be completely cleared for at least fifteen minutes. Disposable rubber gloves and stiff cardboard or paper should be used to collect the glass fragments, with adhesive tape used to collect any excess powder. The entire area can be cleaned thoroughly with a wet wipe, and once all of the debris has been collected and cleared, the normal recycling instructions should be followed.

The great advantage of using energy saving LED bulbs is that they will often last for decades, or even lifetimes, and will rarely burn out or need to be replaced, minimising the amount of times these procedures will need to be carried out. But with the energy saving bulb becoming more and more common, it is important that the general public understand how to correctly dispose of their waste lighting solutions, as well as clear up any breakages which may occur as a result of an accident.

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How LED Lights Work

The LED light bulb is known as an unsung hero in the world of lighting solutions. They feature in everything from digital locks, remote controls, watches and microwaves, and when grouped together they can create vast television screens and traffic lights. More recently they have been used in traditional light bulbs as a more energy-efficient way of lighting homes and businesses. Their eco-friendly credentials mean that they reduce power consumption whilst providing a brighter and more consistent light than their incandescent counterparts. This guide outlines exactly how the LED light bulb operates and why this is so effective for so many purposes throughout the home.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are essentially very small light bulbs which fit easily into electrical circuits. They function entirely as a result of the movement of electrons in a semi-conductor material, which means they can easily surpass the life span of an incandescent bulb, which will work until the filament burns out. A diode is the simplest form of semi-conductor. It is a material which has varying ability to conduct electrical current. Semi-conductors which have abundant electrons are called N-type material; in this sort of conductor, free electrons move from a negatively charged are to one with a positive charge. P-type semi-conductors have extra holes in their make-up, and the extra positively charged particles it possesses can jump from one hole to another, effectively moving from a positively charged area to a negatively charged one. Diodes are a mix between N-type and P-type materials.

The interaction that is caused as a result of the electrons jumping between holes from negative to positive charges (and vice versa) creates light, and a viable lighting solution for homes and businesses. The process also emits significantly less heat than incandescent bulbs, which gives off light as a result of heating the filament to a high temperature.

LED light bulbs can be altered to vary the colour of the light. By changing the distance which the electrons have to leap, the colour of the light is altered. This is more useful in the red or green lights on alarm clocks, but with visible LEDs growing in popularity, there are steps being made to create the diodes that are infrared, ultraviolet and all of the colours of the spectrum in between.

The biggest problem currently faced by manufacturers creating LEDs for public use is the upfront costs. Currently, energy-efficient LEDs can cost around three times as much as a traditional incandescent bulb, but the life span and electricity savings that are facilitated by the energy-efficient lighting source mean that money is eventually saved in the long run. If customers are replacing bulbs for many fixtures at the same time, the initial outlay can be costly, but with LED production increasing and improving all the time, affordability will be one of the key areas they target in the future.

Battle Of The Christmas Lights

The friendly competition between neighbours that takes places every Christmas over who has the most extravagant or beautiful Christmas lights can now officially begin, with the beginning of December underway. Many streets or areas enjoy the yearly battle over whose display is the most original or whose arrangement can attract the most visitors. Just last year, a documentary was broadcast on Channel 4 which followed the lives of a number of people who throw themselves wholeheartedly into the spirit of the season, showing the real motives behind the extravagant decorations and the highs and lows that the Christmas period brings them. This guide runs down some of the most extravagant home light displays from across the world, and examines exactly how they achieved the desired effects.

1. Gangnam Christmas

This year, a man in Texas, USA, has kitted out his entire house with over 25,000 LED Christmas lights which are timed to the beat of the South Korean hit, Gangnam Style. The display, which lasts for the entirety of the four-minute song, is timed to perfect and features rippling effects and blackouts, all with a classy blue and white theme. The man behind the display, John Storms, has told a radio station in Texas that due to the cost-effective nature of the LED light bulbs he has used, the entire display will cost just $15 to run for the entire month of December.

2. ‘Ditto!’

Across the country in Chicago, Illinois, an inventive homeowner thought outside the box in order to produce a brilliantly eye-catching display. Every year, Chet Cybulski is renowned in his neighbourhood for producing incredible Christmas light displays which draw visitors from all over the state, but his next-door neighbour, Dave Nosek is attracting all the plaudits for his original take on the tradition. Where Mr Cybulski has a display which takes a staggering five days to assemble, Mr Nosek simply wrote the word ‘DITTO’ in light above his garage, with an illuminated arrow pointing to his neighbour’s more impressive achievement.

3. Somerset Winter Wonderland

After being inspired by some incredible displays on a visit to the USA, Paul Toole from Somerset decided to create a similar winter wonderland in his own home as well as raising money for charity. With a total spend of £20,000 since he first started decorating his bungalow in 1998, Mr Toole calibrates his displays so that they flash in time to his own radio station and also gives any donates he receives to the Make A Wish Foundation. More than 50,000 LED Christmas lights are attuned to flicker on and off to the beat of a song, and the display has become so popular that his last switch-on was attended by 1,000 people, as well as Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Combat Festive Price Hikes With Energy-Saving Light Bulbs

A rise in energy prices now occurs so frequently that it is almost a Christmas tradition in itself. British Gas has announced that millions of their customers will face a 7% energy hike just in time for the festive season, adding around £1.50 to the average weekly gas and electricity bill. The price hike kicks into gear on December 10^th, just in time for the festive season, and traditionally the time when many homeowners start to utilise the most electricity, what with the extra Christmas lights and the colder weather. Wholesale prices are said to have risen by 25% since spring this year, and those who are with British Gas will surely be looking for any possible way in which they can cut back their energy bills over this expensive Christmas period.

Fitting the home with energy-saving light bulbs before the festive season kicks in is a great way to ensure that there won’t be any nasty shocks where energy bills are concerned. However, with a hundred and one things to do before the 25^th December, is there really time to completely change the lighting solutions within a home? The answer where energy-saving light bulbs are concerned is yes. One of the most prevalent myths in relation to switching to energy-saving lighting methods is that all existing fixtures must be taken out, re-wired and re-fitted. This is completely untrue; Energy Saving GLS Bulbs all use the conventional Edison Screw Caps or Bayonet Caps, and are completely compatible with the majority of existing fixtures already within the home. Just one 11-watt GLS bulb will see a huge reduction in energy consumption, with 80% less energy used to create the same amount of light as a harmful halogen bulb.

Using a dimmable bulb is also a superb way to save money on energy bills. Sometimes during the morning or the evening, having a light blasting at full power does not produce an energy-friendly environment but using a Dimmable Energy Saving Light Bulb ensures that consumers have total control over the amount of light they are using. The savings can also be incredible when using these innovative bulbs, with predications estimating that around £194.20 in average electricity bills can be saved over the lifespan of just one dimmable bulb.

There are also some festive options for those who want to decorate their home ready for Christmas but don’t want to pay over the odds in doing so. Features such as solar panels powering outdoor lights can help to minimise energy consumption, as well as bulbs like the Energy Saving Coloured Spiral Light Bulb. A red or a yellow bulb placed in any normal fixture creates a festive Christmassy glow when placed in an alcove or even on a front porch, and with projected savings of around £51.00 per bulb over its lifespan, they are perfect to combat the harmful energy price hikes this Christmas.

Host A Switch-On Worthy Of Any Celebrity This Christmas

Artists such as Robbie Williams, McFLY, The Wanted and JLS have been confirmed to be switching on the public Christmas lights up and down the country in huge extravaganzas over the coming weeks. In some of the country’s biggest cities, such as London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol and Birmingham, some of the UK’s biggest stars will be welcomed and will put on a spectacular show before they press the all-important button that switches on the festive decorations for the remainder of the Christmas period.  Many people around the home might decide to host their own Christmas light switch-on over the coming weeks, as they complete their traditional decorative displays and turn them on for the first time. BLT Direct is a premier provider of lighting solutions that can outshine any celebrity switch-on ceremony, with low prices to fit festive budgets, and high-quality that will last for many winters to come.

One of the most popular ways to form the basis of a large display is to line windows, fences and other vertical surfaces with Snowing Outdoor Icicle Lights, which have an authentic Christmas look when turned to any of their different settings. Pulsating at different speeds or simply remaining static, these lights are perfect to boost Christmas spirit and their neutral white colour won’t clash with more colourful elements of the display. These chains of lights come in sets of up to 720 bulbs, so they can practically cover the entirety of the outside of a house or other building, and they are perfectly appropriate for outdoor usage. Prices at BLT Direct start at just £29.99.

To bring a little Christmas cheer to the inside of the home and continue the theme of a display on the transition from outdoor to indoor, swapping some of the regular bulbs around the house with a Coloured GU10 LED Bulb is a cost-effective solution. These bulbs don’t require any extra fittings or fixtures, and adding a warm red light or a warm yellow glow to the area around a Christmas tree, or in a hallway, can give a home a much more festive feel. These bulbs are also great for energy-saving; running costs compared to GU10 halogen bulbs are down by around 80%, so the electricity bills need not be sky-high this Christmas season. The GU10 LED bulbs start from just £5.99 at BLT Direct.

Not everyone has the time to produce a show-stopping lighting display at Christmas, but there are more subtle ways in which the festive season can be referenced in the home. Candle Bridge Arch Lights are a wonderfully understated way to decorate a mantelpiece, a windowsill or a dining table this Christmas. There are plenty of different varieties to choose from, in varying colours, shapes and sizes, but all of them are a stylish and simplistic way to add to festive decorations. Prices start at just £9.90 for a seven-bulb arch.

Enjoy The Halloween Scare-Fest with BLT Direct

There are just weeks to go until the annual season of trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and an abundance of fake blood, and BLT Direct is gearing up for this year’s Halloween spectacular with a range of dramatic light bulbs to create spooky effects around the home or workplace. Whether hosting a party or simply looking for ways to make the event more exciting for trick-or-treaters, the carefully chosen selection of flickering candle bulbs and blacklights help to set the scene for the so-called witching hour, and help everyone truly get into the spirit of this lighthearted tradition.

Simply changing light bulbs is a great way to completely change the atmosphere of a room, and with LED GU10 Light Bulbs already being compatible with many of the existing fittings and fixtures around the home, switching them for coloured alternatives can help to create a truly eerie setting. Green and magenta clash perfectly and summon to mind images of zombies and ghost trains, while ultraviolet lights can use glow-in-the-dark capabilities to create spooky patterns on walls and ceilings. All of the coloured LED GU10 bulbs available from BLT Direct have a reputed lamp life of up to 50,000 hours, meaning that they will not only come in handy for this Halloween, but many ghostly celebrations for years to come.

Flicker Flame Incandescent Light Bulbs are particularly suited to creating atmospheric lighting, and the constant judder and shiver of these fake flames are sure to set anybody on edge this Halloween. These bulbs are available with a variety of different bases so no costly modifications need to be made to existing fittings to accommodate these spine-chilling lights bulbs, and they are particularly effective when the bulb is exposed. At just £3.36 per bulb, with an expected life span of up to 1,000 hours, they are a budget-friendly way to convert a standard room or corridor into a flickering passage of terror, and they will last for the entirety of the spooky season.

For those who want to get into the spirit of Halloween, but are concerned about the costly energy bills that they might be unpleasantly surprised with, there are energy-saving options that can turn any home or workplace into a veritable haunted house. The Energy-Saving Blacklights available from BLT Direct come in a variety of different wattages and are predicted to save consumers around £58.50 over the course of their life span. The special dark blue filter creates a truly macabre effect, and simply using one of these bulbs within a porch or hallway can give trick-or-treaters the sense that this house might be one to avoid in the future.

Low-Level Lighting For Beautifully Decorative Effect – BLT Direct

BLT Direct is a foremost provider of inexpensive and highly efficient lighting solutions to homes and businesses across the UK. But whilst the main function of light bulbs is undoubtedly illumination, there are many bulbs which are used for purely decorative purposes; the Timeless Elegance range at BLT Direct is testament to the way bulbs can create a charmingly atmospheric environment with ease. Technological advancements in previous years have even made these primarily decorative bulbs function as effectively as those which are used solely for their illuminative merits, so using them for feature lighting needn’t sacrifice on quality.

The incandescent light bulbs in the Timeless Elegance range are available in varying different shapes and sizes, from golfball lamps to candle-shaped bulbs. The unique advantage these bulbs have over many other decorative solutions is the smoked glass; the filament lamp produces a stunning, flickering effect that adds a sense of ambience and atmosphere that many plain bulbs cannot achieve. They are best used in environments where a full level of light is not necessary, such as perhaps in a wall lamp in a living room, for use during the evening when a bright light might be deemed harsh. They are wonderful for use in chandeliers, or light fittings that might feature more than one bulb, as grouping a number of these bulbs together will not create an overbearing light, but rather a soft and warm glow.

The bulbs are either 25-watt or 35-watt and their variations on the Edison Screw cap means that they are a great fit for any existing fittings around the home, or in a commercial environment. Businesses such as restaurants and hotels might find great use for these bulbs in creating an inviting setting for their customers and guests, while specific showrooms could also benefit from the attractive, flickering illumination which calls to mind real candles; a hard effect to achieve when using LED light bulbs or some of the newer energy-saving models. The bulbs themselves are fully dimmable, if the right dimmer switch is installed, and can be used to create even lower levels of feature lighting.

The active life span of these incandescent light bulbs is around 1,000 hours, and their colour temperature is rated ‘gold’. Each lamp shape gives a completely different effect, whether it’s the ‘globe’ shaped bulb, or the ‘twisted candle’ bulb. The bulbs are also available in a conventional GLS shape, for the fixtures or fitting which can’t quite accommodate a bulb in an unconventional shape. BLT Direct’s extensive collection of these decorative filament bulbs starts at just £4.50 per bulb.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com

Intensity Measurement Tool Paves Way For More Commercial LEDs

The Missouri University of Science and Technology have recently developed a new piece of equipment which can quickly and easily measure the intensity of LED lights bulbs. The laser-guided instrument enables the intensity to be measured from a distance, which will be revolutionary for the introduction of LED bulbs into public places. In the UK, many councils have started to fit the light-emitting diodes into street lights, with Bath and North East Somerset Council pioneering the scheme in 2011, and the brightness of LEDs has already seen them implemented into traffic light and pelican crossing systems. This new technology will encourage councils and authorities to fit the energy-saving bulbs across many cities and motorways, as it will be easier for maintenance workers to detect when a bulb needs replacing.

LED light bulbs are one of the most popular energy-saving lighting methods around today. They consume a vastly smaller amount of electricity to produce a higher level of light than the traditional halogen bulbs that the public have become most accustomed to. They are available in an extensive range of colour temperatures, wattages, shapes and sizes, and it is widely said that there is an LED bulb for almost any purpose, be it commercial or domestic.

Unlike traditional halogen bulbs, which give no indication that they are about to stop working, LED bulbs slowly dim over the course of their (considerably longer) life span. This means that the process of replacing roadside, streetside, traffic light bulbs or any other form or commercial lighting will be much easier and cheaper than simply sending out a maintenance truck to replace a single bulb. Technicians will no longer have to use a cherry picker truck to carry out the sometimes dangerous checks, diversions will no longer need to be set up to avoid motorists from injuring a maintenance worker, and councils will be able to develop a scheduled replacement system based on data taken from the new intensity measuring equipment. 

Dr Suzanna Long, of Missouri University of Science and Technology, said: “In many of the nation's traffic lights, light-emitting diodes or LEDs with their brighter light and longer life have replaced standard bulbs. But knowing when to replace the signal heads has remained a guessing game," Dr. Long added. She hopes that the new system will be wheeled out across Missouri first, before governments and authorities across the world begin to examine the advantages of the equipment.

To find out more and order online, visit http://www.bltdirect.com