4 minute read
The 12 Days of Holiday Lighting
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY OF HOLIDAY LIGHTING.
BY: MS. KIMBERLY WEISS, THREE PHASE ELECTRIC
The Holiday Season is here, and we know this year will be even more challenging, as homeowners will be looking at their lighting displays even more closely! HOAs spend thousands of dollars for the installation of beautiful holiday lighting displays, as their key to a festive season. Although holiday lighting can be pricey, it is a great idea. After all, community holiday lighting is a way to capitalize on the investment of living in a common interest development and boards that sponsor community holiday lighting displays allow their residents the opportunity to share in the joy, festivity, and delight. It creates a sense of community pride, neighborly camaraderie, local stature, and wholesome joy among many.
On the other hand, the holidays also represent the pinnacle of stress for many people. There are pressures everywhere (especially this year) and the holiday lighting display is supposed to be a perfect illustration of the beauty and peace of the season. So when the lights are out or the garland falls, that individual who was already pushed to the threshold of insanity often seems to take the step over the edge.
It is impossible to ensure that a show will be perfect throughout the season because there are factors that are outside of anyone’s control – high winds, excessive rain and more. Yet many problems can be avoided, if you prepare your HOA well, and hire trustworthy installers.
Here are our 12 Days to Holiday Lighting Success:
On the first day to HLS, beware of the grinch. It’s a very emotional time and the slightest imperfection can turn one of Santa’s Elves into a Grinch. Just be ready, it’s not you.
On the second day to HLS, holiday lighting is an art. Yet the guys throwing the lights in the trees are not always artists, the only way to know who cares enough to make it a great show is to know their work. Ask for references or at least photos of their past work.
On the third day to HLS, know the players. Who’s doing what? And when? Usually, there is just the installer on small shows, but don’t forget the committee, landscaper, electrician, your therapist…
On the fourth day to HLS, reputation is everything. If not you, somebody has had experience with your vendors, pay attention at the water cooler.
On the fifth day to HLS, cover your ass-ets. The community’s equipment is at risk during the season. Damaged light fixtures can easily cost more than the entire Holiday Lighting show. Do not allow holiday lighting installers to tap existing light fixtures for power. Write this requirement into the contract or agreement. This is especially true for LED light fixtures. The fragile electronic components will be ruined if they are exposed to even a small amount of moisture. You can protect your expensive light fixtures and LED components by providing receptacles at key locations to power holiday lighting shows. This will ensure that installers don’t have to tap into light fixtures for power and also that you won’t have cords taped onto sidewalks or in other areas where they don’t belong.
On the sixth day to HLS, power, power and power. Besides money, this is the biggest limitation. A standard incandescent strand of lights uses about 40 Watts. One circuit can handle 1920 watts max – someone competent should do the math. You’d be surprised…
On the seventh day to HLS, the dreaded GFI The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter is the biggest enemy. It’s there to protect people, but will kill the joyous season. Bag ‘em, and tape all connections.
On the eigth day to HLS, LED light strings They can look like traditional lights and the price has come down too. The energy savings can be up to 70%, but the labor and materials cost will be much higher– up to 200%. They can be re-used IF taken down and stored properly.
On the ninth day to HLS, trim, trim and trim A nicely trimmed tree will show off the beautiful trunk and branches— and the canopy—but make sure the trimming is complete before the lights are installed.
On the tenth day to HLS, lookin’ uptown, or, not? It can look amazing at night, but have you looked closely during the day? Your homeowners do, every day. Fast, messy lights hanging from the trees can look terrible during the day. See the second day.
On the eleventh day to HLS, maintenance is crucial. Weather, irrigation, vandals, anxious homeowners, or just tiny imperfections – they all must be addressed… and I mean, immediately!!!
On the twelfth day to HLS, the eleventh hour Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s or just that special holiday party, your people must be there for you, or the twelfth hour may rhyme with “bell.”
A beautiful and festive show is possible and feasible at most every community, so prepare your HOA now, push up your sleeves, put on your elf cap, for a Happy Holiday season!
Golden Gift! Take pictures of lighting assets before installation, to ensure you have proof of their condition, and let your installer know, so that they will be sure to be extra careful!
* Have an electrical contractor come out for a service call in September or October, to ensure your property is ready, and return in January to verify that everything is put back together correctly! *
Kimberly Weiss is the President and CEO of Three Phase Electric, serving the Inland Empire, San Diego, Orange County and Cochella Valley.
