Dust off your Santa statues, make sure all the batteries in your electric holiday trinkets are good to go and be sure to plug in your lights to see if they're all working and blinking.
And if you've always wanted to decorate your home on the outside in the spirt of the Christmas season, go ahead. Chances are small that you'll see your festive actions on your December electric bill.
"Bigger things that affect the bills in December have to do with electric heating. A lot of people in town plug in strip heaters to supplement their gas for instance," Bob Stevenson, general manager at the Hannibal Board of Public Works, said. "That probably has a way bigger effect on electric bills than the lights."
However, unless you decorate like Clark Griswald (from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation) or John Freiling of rural Hannibal, you will see a spike in your electric bill.
Freiling, who does technical work for the James O'Donnell Funeral Home, sets up a half-mile home display along Carrs Lane each Christmas season. It's run entirely by computer and he has his own FM station for drivers to listen to as they pass by.
"In my case, it definitely goes up," Freiling said. "We put up almost half a million lights, so our bill goes up from an average $250 to almost $1,000."
And even though Freiling's many illuminated displays, trails of messages and candy canes raises his electric bill, he said it's an increase he said he doesn't mind at all.
Stevenson said those getting into the holiday spirit shouldn't worry about their own bills when it comes to decorating outside.
"A hundred-watt strand of lights will burn for about 10 hours for nine cents. If you had 100 of those strands around your house — which would be a lot — it'd be $9 an hour," Stevenson said. "A hundred watts for an hour is 9/10 of a cent. So if you had 10 of those strands, you'd have 1000 watts. It's really pretty cheap."
It's also the choice of Christmas lights that can result in different energy usage numbers.
"The way to go nowadays is LED," Freiling said. "They use about 10 percent of a regular light bulb. Your miniature light bulbs would be next and then the worst offenders are the C-7s and the C-9s. A C-9 is the old fashioned outdoor type of light and a C-7's kind of the old fashioned indoor.
"The LEDs are much better. They don't fade, the light they generate is pure light and it actually generates that color of light. They last for a long time and there's filament in them, so if you drop the bulb it's not going to hurt it."
2011年10月31日 星期一
Cree introduces HV-LEDs, Osram boosts LED light output
Cree has introduced two new high-voltage (HV) LEDs, the XLamp XM-L and XT-E, that the company says can boost driver efficiency by 10-20% in small retrofit lamps. The company also announced a new version of the XLamp MT-G LED for solid-state-lighting (SSL) applications that's 10% brighter than predecessors with the new LEDs delivering 1670 lm. Osram, meanwhile, launched new orange, yellow, and red Oslon SSL LEDs that can deliver 20% more light than predecessors.
The Cree XM-L and XT-E LEDs target small retrofit-lamp application such as B10 candelabra lamps along with E17 and GU10 lamps. The HV-LEDs will deliver efficiency and thermal advantages in such lamps that are severely space constrained with limited options for cooling.
The LEDs are packaged and sold as discrete components, but in reality are built using an array of 16 very-small die. The XT-E is 3.45 mm on a side and the XM-L is 5 mm on a side. According to product marketing manager Paul Scheidt, target applications such as B10 lamps will use one or perhaps two of the LEDs.
By connecting the array in series, Cree was able to boost the forward voltage to 48V. According to Scheidt the higher voltage improves efficiency because the driver doesn't have to drop the line voltage down to the 4V level that would be required in a single emitter that's equivalent in size and lumen output to the array.
In the simplest case where a rectifier diode drives an LED, the system efficiency goes from 87.5% with a single emitter to 98% with the HV array. Cree says that in actual products the driver efficiency advantage may reach 20% while also enabling smaller, lower-cost drivers that run 10% cooler .
"Maximizing the LED voltage, as Cree has done in the new high-voltage XM-L and XT-E LEDs, is a very effective way to minimize current through the LED driver output rectifier," said Peter Vaughan, director of applications engineering at driver-IC manufacturer Power Integrations, Inc. "This can reduce losses and heat dissipation in the driver and increase the overall system luminous efficacy by several percentage points."
The concept of HV-LEDs and the efficiency advantage is not new. Indeed Cree offers a number of HV-LEDs in larger arrays. But Scheidt said, "Most HV-LEDs are efficient and large or small and inefficient." Scheidt showed efficacy graphs for the new LEDs compared to unnamed competitive products that would indicate a roughly 20-40 lm/W advantage for the new LEDs.
Cree says the LEDs will enable the first competitive SSL replacements for small lamps and received an endorsement from one customer. "The XLamp XM-L High-Voltage LED eliminates the trade-off between size and efficacy, allowing us to take advantage of the efficacy of high-voltage drivers," said Ken Chakravarti, chief technology officer, Ledzworld. "This translates to more efficient, better and more cost-effective small LED lamps and luminaires such as the B10 replacement lamp for our customers."
The Cree XM-L and XT-E LEDs target small retrofit-lamp application such as B10 candelabra lamps along with E17 and GU10 lamps. The HV-LEDs will deliver efficiency and thermal advantages in such lamps that are severely space constrained with limited options for cooling.
The LEDs are packaged and sold as discrete components, but in reality are built using an array of 16 very-small die. The XT-E is 3.45 mm on a side and the XM-L is 5 mm on a side. According to product marketing manager Paul Scheidt, target applications such as B10 lamps will use one or perhaps two of the LEDs.
By connecting the array in series, Cree was able to boost the forward voltage to 48V. According to Scheidt the higher voltage improves efficiency because the driver doesn't have to drop the line voltage down to the 4V level that would be required in a single emitter that's equivalent in size and lumen output to the array.
In the simplest case where a rectifier diode drives an LED, the system efficiency goes from 87.5% with a single emitter to 98% with the HV array. Cree says that in actual products the driver efficiency advantage may reach 20% while also enabling smaller, lower-cost drivers that run 10% cooler .
"Maximizing the LED voltage, as Cree has done in the new high-voltage XM-L and XT-E LEDs, is a very effective way to minimize current through the LED driver output rectifier," said Peter Vaughan, director of applications engineering at driver-IC manufacturer Power Integrations, Inc. "This can reduce losses and heat dissipation in the driver and increase the overall system luminous efficacy by several percentage points."
The concept of HV-LEDs and the efficiency advantage is not new. Indeed Cree offers a number of HV-LEDs in larger arrays. But Scheidt said, "Most HV-LEDs are efficient and large or small and inefficient." Scheidt showed efficacy graphs for the new LEDs compared to unnamed competitive products that would indicate a roughly 20-40 lm/W advantage for the new LEDs.
Cree says the LEDs will enable the first competitive SSL replacements for small lamps and received an endorsement from one customer. "The XLamp XM-L High-Voltage LED eliminates the trade-off between size and efficacy, allowing us to take advantage of the efficacy of high-voltage drivers," said Ken Chakravarti, chief technology officer, Ledzworld. "This translates to more efficient, better and more cost-effective small LED lamps and luminaires such as the B10 replacement lamp for our customers."
2011年10月25日 星期二
Chinese lantern safety warning
FIRE chiefs are warning Hop-tu-Naa and Bonfire night revellers about the dangers posed by Chinese lanterns.
The lanterns which are available in the Isle of Man are generally made of paper, supported by a frame and are powered by a solid fuel burner.
They have become popular over the past few years for celebrations such as weddings and birthdays. But there have been a number of incidents in the UK when the sky lanterns have caused injury and fires.
In one case, a young boy was scalded in the face by molten fuel which fell from a lantern floating overhead.
Another frightening incident involved a lantern landing on the roof of a property and setting it on fire – the house was occupied by a mother and her two children.
There have been a number of reports of farm animals who have died from eating the wire frames from the lanterns which have burnt out and landed in their fields.
In 2008, Onchan’s Christmastime Festival of Light included the launch of 20 lanterns, which floated above Douglas Bay.
The UK-based Chief Fire Officers’ Association has urged Fire and Rescue Services to discourage the use of the floating paper lanterns on the basis that they constitute a fire risk when released and there is evidence of them being mistaken for distress flares, misleading aircraft and killing livestock.
Sub officer Peter Killey, of the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service’s community safety team, said: ‘No one wants to be a killjoy but we are very concerned that before long we are going to have a serious incident caused by these lanterns.
‘Whether this is a property fire, a fire in the countryside, personal injury or injury to wildlife and livestock – the more these lanterns are used the more likely it is that an incident will occur.
‘Public safety is of paramount importance and we ask members of the public and event organisers to refrain from using them.’
John Peet, chief trading standards officer, said: ‘Safety instructions for the use of these lanterns are complex. Among other things they require the user to assess wind conditions. Our advice would be to avoid these products.’
David Callister MLC, member of the Department of Infrastructure, added: ‘These lanterns can be confused with distress flares used to signal emergencies at sea.
‘This in the past has led to coastguard teams being called out to investigate, which can be very time consuming and costly.’
‘This initiative has been very successful with a marked decrease in call-outs for lantern related incidents, and our thanks go to those people who have taken the time to call the MOC prior to releasing their lanterns,’ said Mr Callister.
The lanterns which are available in the Isle of Man are generally made of paper, supported by a frame and are powered by a solid fuel burner.
They have become popular over the past few years for celebrations such as weddings and birthdays. But there have been a number of incidents in the UK when the sky lanterns have caused injury and fires.
In one case, a young boy was scalded in the face by molten fuel which fell from a lantern floating overhead.
Another frightening incident involved a lantern landing on the roof of a property and setting it on fire – the house was occupied by a mother and her two children.
There have been a number of reports of farm animals who have died from eating the wire frames from the lanterns which have burnt out and landed in their fields.
In 2008, Onchan’s Christmastime Festival of Light included the launch of 20 lanterns, which floated above Douglas Bay.
The UK-based Chief Fire Officers’ Association has urged Fire and Rescue Services to discourage the use of the floating paper lanterns on the basis that they constitute a fire risk when released and there is evidence of them being mistaken for distress flares, misleading aircraft and killing livestock.
Sub officer Peter Killey, of the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service’s community safety team, said: ‘No one wants to be a killjoy but we are very concerned that before long we are going to have a serious incident caused by these lanterns.
‘Whether this is a property fire, a fire in the countryside, personal injury or injury to wildlife and livestock – the more these lanterns are used the more likely it is that an incident will occur.
‘Public safety is of paramount importance and we ask members of the public and event organisers to refrain from using them.’
John Peet, chief trading standards officer, said: ‘Safety instructions for the use of these lanterns are complex. Among other things they require the user to assess wind conditions. Our advice would be to avoid these products.’
David Callister MLC, member of the Department of Infrastructure, added: ‘These lanterns can be confused with distress flares used to signal emergencies at sea.
‘This in the past has led to coastguard teams being called out to investigate, which can be very time consuming and costly.’
‘This initiative has been very successful with a marked decrease in call-outs for lantern related incidents, and our thanks go to those people who have taken the time to call the MOC prior to releasing their lanterns,’ said Mr Callister.
2011年9月27日 星期二
Latest Trends in Hotel Refurbishment
UK hoteliers are looking forward to 2012 with a "cautious optimism" – something that has been distinctly lacking in recent years. Some hotel owners can see the light at the end of the tunnel and many are considering expanding their businesses next year, according to the Frank Knight Hotel Operator Sentiment Survey 2011.
The findings showed that just over 50 per cent of the operators questioned said that they would be spending on refurbishing their existing stock.
Typically, guest room refurbishment can fall into two broad categories, refreshment and re-branding.
Refreshment is commonly required every five to seven years and involves adding new elements to the rooms to ensure that the hotel remains competitive in its target market. This will include redecorating, replacing furniture, fittings, equipment and minor works that improve the ease of operation.
Although Royal Garden Hotel has a rolling refurbishment programme of this kind, May saw the luxury hotel bring its 45 million refurbishment project to a close. The result is an excellent example of a well-executed refurbishment programme that responded to the needs of guests and sharpened the brand's competitive edge on London's luxury hotel scene.
"We implemented the refurbishment in stages," explained deputy general manager, Jonathan Lowrey in a recent interview with hotel-industry. "We have re-fitted guest rooms floor-by-floor and conference and events facilities were refurbished in stages as well. We carefully timed these stages to minimise disruption to our guests and customers."
A photo gallery of the Royal Garden Hotel's refurbishment is also available on hotel-industry.
While the Royal Garden Hotel favoured the partial-closure approach, the Savoy Hotel closed down completely between 2007 and 2010 to conduct one of the most talked about ambitious hotel refurbishment projects of recent times.
The 220 million restoration incorporated the entire building, including its iconic entrance and all 268 guestrooms and suites. Our photo gallery of refurbished Savoy Hotel will guide you around the newly designed property.
Re-branding or re-modelling aims to move the hotel into a different sector and increase room rates. This can involve creating new guest rooms using redundant space, replacing services and bathrooms, changing room and area layouts or introducing new guest facilities, such as IT and in-room entertainment.
When the Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria fell into the safe hands of the Guoman collection, the company set about bringing the property into line with its brand's standards, yet preserving the aesthetic essence of this famous railway hotel. No corner of the property has been left untouched, with all bedrooms, public areas, restaurants, meetings and event spaces refurbished.
The findings showed that just over 50 per cent of the operators questioned said that they would be spending on refurbishing their existing stock.
Typically, guest room refurbishment can fall into two broad categories, refreshment and re-branding.
Refreshment is commonly required every five to seven years and involves adding new elements to the rooms to ensure that the hotel remains competitive in its target market. This will include redecorating, replacing furniture, fittings, equipment and minor works that improve the ease of operation.
Although Royal Garden Hotel has a rolling refurbishment programme of this kind, May saw the luxury hotel bring its 45 million refurbishment project to a close. The result is an excellent example of a well-executed refurbishment programme that responded to the needs of guests and sharpened the brand's competitive edge on London's luxury hotel scene.
"We implemented the refurbishment in stages," explained deputy general manager, Jonathan Lowrey in a recent interview with hotel-industry. "We have re-fitted guest rooms floor-by-floor and conference and events facilities were refurbished in stages as well. We carefully timed these stages to minimise disruption to our guests and customers."
A photo gallery of the Royal Garden Hotel's refurbishment is also available on hotel-industry.
While the Royal Garden Hotel favoured the partial-closure approach, the Savoy Hotel closed down completely between 2007 and 2010 to conduct one of the most talked about ambitious hotel refurbishment projects of recent times.
The 220 million restoration incorporated the entire building, including its iconic entrance and all 268 guestrooms and suites. Our photo gallery of refurbished Savoy Hotel will guide you around the newly designed property.
Re-branding or re-modelling aims to move the hotel into a different sector and increase room rates. This can involve creating new guest rooms using redundant space, replacing services and bathrooms, changing room and area layouts or introducing new guest facilities, such as IT and in-room entertainment.
When the Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria fell into the safe hands of the Guoman collection, the company set about bringing the property into line with its brand's standards, yet preserving the aesthetic essence of this famous railway hotel. No corner of the property has been left untouched, with all bedrooms, public areas, restaurants, meetings and event spaces refurbished.
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