BY ERIK J. MARTIN, CTW FEATURES
Lights, Christmas, action! How to choose and install the right holiday lights for your needs
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here’s nothing quite like artificial colored lights to illuminate the holidays in and around your home. But while traditional string, strip, rope, and other lights can brighten your property, they can also raise your electric bill and create hazards if improperly installed. That’s why it’s smart to take stock of the lights you’ll need this November and December, plan carefully how you’d like to show them off, and prioritize safety, the experts concur.
spectacle of light. And that’s especially true around the holiday season,” says Alisha Kesler, product development manager for Jasco, an Oklahoma City-based consumer electronics company. “Holiday lights are a great way to show off your family’s personality, add flair to your home’s look, and provide curb appeal.”
“Ever since our ancient ancestors lit that torch for the first time, we’ve been drawn to the
“But much of the seasonal lighting products that become available around the holidays
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Spaces: Home for the Holidays
Christien Methot, a professional lighting designer in New York City, agrees that the right holiday lighting products and strategies can make a big difference.
often sell out quickly and are priced higher toward the end of the year, which is why it’s best to plan and purchase as early if you can,” says Methot. If you haven’t made the transition from filament-filled incandescent bulbs to LED lights, this is the year to make that jump. “Homeowners who make this switch can save up to 80 percent more on electricity usage and enjoy up to 20 times the lifespan,” notes Mark Dawson, chief operating officer at Mister Sparky, an electrician service headquartered in Columbia, Maryland.
November 2020
