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.

You have probably been going through life completely unaware of some very serious electric safety problems. We don’t always stop to read the fine print or think twice about plugging something in. Unfortunately, there are some habits that could be putting you, your family and your home at serious risk of an electrical fire or even electrocution. An electrician in Glendale has some electric safety tips that you really need to pay attention to. If you have any questions about these items, give The Electric Connection a call today.

*Putting a 75 watt bulb in a fixture that is designated for a 40 watt bulb is a problem. You risk overloading the circuit, which could trip the breaker or overheat the wiring to the fixture. Follow the guidelines. If you need more light in the room, call an electrician and replace the fixture.

*Outlets that are warm to the touch are not normal. It is a sign of a problem that you really need to pay attention to. Overloaded or inadequate wiring to the outlet could trigger an electrical fire. It needs to be replaced and rewired as soon as possible.

*Outlets that jiggle are not okay. This usually happens overtime as people yank cords out. Glendale electrical outlets should be snug against the wall. Loose outlets mean loose wires that can cause a spark and ignite a fire.

*Fire extinguishers should be in every house. Many people assume they will toss a bucket of water or turn on the garden hose to put out an electrical fire. Water and electricity don’t mix! A fire extinguisher is your only option to put out a fire near an outlet or exposed wire.

If you have concerns about your home’s wiring or have noticed any of these issues, give The Electric Connection a call today to get these problems taken care of.

How many times have you looked at your electric bill and felt “dizzy”? Solar Energy For Residential applications can provide an incredible relief from this monthly occurrence. Costs for photovoltaic cells, also known as solar panels, have drastically decreased over the years making Solar Energy For Residential applications a much more viable solution. Now your Indoor Generator, which allows you to store your own produced energy and program it to use that electricity when you want it, whether it be in an emergency or to avoid peak usage charges, highly cost effective solar panels can be installed in areas that you may not have thought were possible. Whether you want a solar panel that is easily portable and storable, like these www.electricmaninc.com or call us at 972-792-7270!

Usually, around this time people are giving up on their New Year’s resolutions. We get it; it’s tough to follow through on difficult commitments, especially when it comes to altering habits. Let et us be the voice that says, “Keep going! You can do this!” Or, maybe you’re still struggling to come up with a resolution. That’s where we come in. Resolve to be more energy efficient!

We’ve come up with several New Year’s resolutions we truly think you can keep. Energy efficiency doesn’t always require a significant monetary investment; sometimes, it calls for a small change in your routine. We know that change can be scary, but once you realize your savings potential, we hope that the challenge will be worth it!