RHS Electrical Services

LED vs. Regular Light Bulbs

Do LEDs Make a Difference?

There has been a seismic change in the way we light our homes and businesses. Not all that long ago, all that was available were old fashioned light bulbs that used heated tungsten filaments to produce light. They had a short life and were expensive to run. Then along came compact fluorescent bulbs, and now LEDs are everywhere. We are promised cool, cheap to run, efficient lighting but is this really so? Let’s compare LEDs vs Regular Lights and see if LEDs are really worth it.

What are my options when it comes to light bulbs?

There are three sorts of lighting available for you to choose from:

1: Incandescent bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs have hardly evolved since Thomas Edison and his team of researchers invented them in the late 19th century. Basically, a thin wire filament in a vacuum-filled glass envelope is heated by electricity until it glows. The vacuum prevents oxidation – which would essentially mean the filament would burn up very quickly.

It is a simple technology but fragile, with a short lifespan. It is also far more inefficient than either of the other options, much of the energy is wasted as heat. The heat also causes its own problems as it can burn anything that comes too close.

2: Compact fluorescent light bulbs
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) were the first generation of low-energy lighting. They use the technology of the fluorescent tubes that companies commonly use to light offices, stores and factories. The tubes are folded to make them compact enough to be direct replacements for incandescent bulbs, although some versions require special fittings.

For the same amount of light produced, CFLs use around 60-80% less power and last 8 to 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs. The quality of light of a CFL is different from that of incandescent lighting. It has a discontinuous spectrum, and many think it is harsher and less pleasant. Modern versions have improved this quality immensely.

3: LEDs
The new(ish) kids on the block, LEDs are transforming every aspect of artificial lighting. You will now find them everywhere, from home, to store, to cars, to sports stadiums. They are sweeping the market.

Do LEDs save energy?

The huge benefit LED lights have over previous light bulbs is their energy efficiency. Compared to incandescent bulbs, they are a massive 80% more efficient, and they turn 95% of their energy into light, whereas older lighting would produce a lot of heat.

This has two major effects. The first is that this noticeably reduces the user’s electricity bill. With that sort of energy efficiency, the amount you pay for lighting will drastically fall if you’ve been using old-fashioned filament bulbs.

The second effect is more important. In the 21st century, we have finally realized that the demand for energy used globally must decline. We need to reduce greenhouse gasses and move away from fossil fuel power sources, and LEDs reduce the demand for electricity, meaning we can more easily rely on alternative renewable energy sources.

Hot weather doesn't have to mean a big bill. Stay cool for less with our tips to save energy in hot weather.

When the hot summer sun heats your home, you can keep cool without energy costs rising as high as the heat index. And, since heating and cooling account for more than half of your overall energy bill, these money saving tips can help lower your electric bill.

💥General Hot Weather Tips💥

💫Wait until later in the evening to use heat-producing appliances, like the oven, clothes dryer and dishwasher. Many dryers and dishwashers have timers you can set so they turn on hours later.

💫Shade south and west-facing windows during the hottest part of the day.

💫If you use a window air conditioner, make sure it’s the appropriate size and sealed properly.

💥Ceilings, Attic and Whole-House Fans💥

💫Run ceiling fans counter-clockwise during hot months. While standing directly under a ceiling fan, you should feel a cool breeze.

💫When using a ceiling fan, you can raise the thermostat setting a few degrees and still be comfortable.

💫Turn off ceiling fans in unoccupied rooms. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms.

💫Use or install an attic or whole-house fan for cooling air circulation in hot months. In many climates, these can be an inexpensive alternative to air conditioning.

💫Make sure your attic is properly ventilated to remove hot air.

💥 Cooling System💥

💫 If you don’t have a programmable or Wi-Fi enabled thermostat, set your thermostat to a temperature that is as high as you can tolerate. The recommended setting is 78° or higher when you are home and higher when you are asleep or away.

💫Don't set the thermostat lower than you actually want it, even if you're trying to cool your home quickly. It won't cool your home any faster, and it runs your system longer than necessary.

💫Have your system inspected regularly. An annual tune-up helps your system run more efficiently. Plus, loose or inefficient duct work can mean much of what you spend to cool your home is actually cooling the outdoors.

💫Change or clean your filter once a month. Dust and dirt make your unit work harder.

💫Vacuum registers and vents regularly.

💫Don't let furniture and draperies block cooling airflow.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲?⁣
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Since we use electrical outlets nonstop every day, it’s easy to forget how dangerous they can be. All that separates us from the dangerous, high-voltage electrical currents flowing through our wires is a hard plastic shell. If your outlets ever look loose, it’s very important to fix it right away. Loose outlets could expose you to , , or other . ⁣
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Outlets can loosen in two different ways. Either the whole outlet face wobbles or the receptacles are so loose that plugs fall out of them. These problems occur for different reasons, lead to different dangers, and require different fixes.⁣
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Loose, damaged, or disconnected wires could shock you or spark, leading to fires and other electrical hazards.⁣
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𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗥𝗛𝗦 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗦. ⁣
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𝟲𝟭𝟰-𝟵𝟴𝟳-𝟴𝟭𝟲𝟳

Are your electrical outlets sparking?

You’ve probably seen it many times: Sparks briefly shooting off an electrical connection, perhaps when you pull the plug on an appliance or plug it in. Sometimes it’s perfectly normal and nothing to worry about, but other times, it can signal a potentially dangerous problem. Knowing what causes electrical outlet sparking can reassure you when the issue is harmless. Here are some of the main reasons an electrical outlet might be sparking.

Ordinary Sparks

In American homes, the electricity runs along available circuits and then back out to the main grid without interruption. When something is plugged in, or turned on, some of that very fast, hot electricity transfers from the outlet into the appliance, light, computer or whatever. A rapid draw on available power occurs, resulting in a brief spark. This is normal and no more threatening than a mini-jolt of static electricity.

Short Circuits

When excessive heat builds up in an outlet, it can melt insulation that covers the wires. Electricity running through exposed wires can cause a fire, and when an electrical connection occurs, a serious spark can result. A professional electrician should address the issue immediately.

Water Exposure or Age

Exposure to water will trigger a spark in a circuit and short it out. A ground fault interrupter (GFI) outlet will shut down the circuit to avoid a fire.

Age also could be an issue. Over the years, outlets gradually wear out and connections will loosen, raising the chance of a short circuit occurring and sparking a fire. Old, frayed appliance cords also can result in an outlet sparking.

Negligent Repairs

If your electrical system has been repaired by someone without the skill or experience to do the job right, those poor repairs can result in big problems, either in the near future or far future. Use a certified electrician for all electrical repairs.

Dealing with an electrical outlet sparking? Check out RHS Electrical Service skilled electrical services, or give us a call at (614) 987-8167.