Helpful Tips for Decorating With Holiday Lights
The holidays are coming up, and homeowners may begin putting up lights and decorations early before shopping and baking take over their holiday to-do list. When putting up Christmas lights and decor, residents must take precautions to avoid major injuries and risks to their house. In this post, local electricians provide tips about holiday lights, including how to choose between incandescent and LED lights and how to stay safe decorating this holiday season.
Should You Choose Incandescent or LED Holiday Lights?
When selecting lights for their holiday displays, homeowners must choose between traditional incandescent Christmas lights and LED lights. While incandescent holiday lights are cheaper to purchase upfront, they have several drawbacks. They use more energy than LED lighting, resulting in higher electric bills, and have a shorter lifespan. They are also more dangerous than LED lights, as they generate heat.
The newer holiday light option, LED Christmas lights, cost more upfront but offer many advantages over incandescent lighting. These lights are more energy efficient and have a much longer lifespan, resulting in long-term savings. While they are more expensive initially, homeowners can save money on reduced energy costs by not having to replace them as often. LED lights are also safer than incandescent lights, as they produce less heat.
Options When Creating a Holiday Display
When decorating their homes for the holidays, homeowners have many options. They can get creative, combining different kinds of outdoor Christmas lights and decor to make their houses festive and stand out. Some common options are:
- String lights: These lights are strands that are commonly used on Christmas trees and the ones meant for outdoor use placed along roof lines and balconies.
- Net lighting: Net lighting can quickly and easily add holiday lights to bushes and shrubs.
- Tree wrap lights: These are similar to net lights and are used to add holiday lights to tree trunks and branches easily.
- Holiday inflatables: These large inflatable characters can decorate yards, decks, and other outdoor areas.
- Icicle lights: These hang from eaves and roof lines to look like icicles.
- Projector lights: These lights project festive images onto the side of a house or a garage door.
Make Electrical Safety a Priority
While households might focus more on the holiday decorations they use and the designs they create, it’s essential to also focus on electrical safety when hanging holiday lights and other electric decorations. If property owners are not careful, they could put themselves and their families at risk.
Electrical threats households could experience during the holidays include fire or shock from faulty wiring, damaged lighting and decor, or overloaded circuits. To avoid electrical hazards during the holiday season, here are some tips from professionals:
- Check lights and decor for damage before putting them up or turning them on.
- Avoid overloading circuits and electrical outlets.
- Keep decorations away from heat sources.
- Use the right types of lights for outdoor use, and never use lights or electrical decorations without a certification label, which means it’s been tested.
- Turn off the lights and decor when going to sleep at night and when leaving the house.
About Hunter Service Group
Hunter Service Group is a local family-owned and operated heating, air conditioning, and electrical company serving San Antonio and the surrounding areas. They offer excellent communication, customer education, and a satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for electrical services in San Antonio, TX.
