Burlington, Vt. (PRWEB) November 16, 2007 — As people think about decorating with lights for the holiday season, many are concerned about their energy use and what impact holiday lights will have on their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. The concerns about energy use are well-founded; according to recent data, the generation of electric power is responsible for 39% of carbon emissions that contribute to global climate change.(1) Holiday lights may be a small portion of a household’s overall energy use, but there are ways to use outdoor lights and be energy-efficient.

“There’s new interest in our outdoor solar, LED and battery-operated lights, as people begin to understand that are many creative ways to light the outdoors using less energy,” said Diane Fuchs, research technician for Gardener’s Supply (www.gardeners.com).

“I absolutely love LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lights for the holidays. Not only are the incredibly energy-efficient and last a really long time, but they are so safe to work with, too,” said eco-living expert and Country Home editor Danny Seo. “I’ll wrap a giant grapevine wreath with bundle after bundle of LED string lights and hang it on the front porch of my house; even if left plugged in for hours, the lights stay cool to the touch. I can’t imagine going back to old-fashioned lights.”

Gardener’s Supply, based in Burlington, Vt., and known for its innovative earth-friendly gardening products, has noticed an increased demand for low-energy lighting, and is also offering many new solar and glow-in-the-dark options for lighting up the outdoors. “We recommend using a combination of low-energy LED lighting with our many outdoor solar products,” continued Fuchs.

Gardener’s Supply is offering several new designs of string lights in a variety of colors that use LED technology. These new lights use 80% less energy than standard mini lights. are 25% brighter and are cool to the touch. The new LED lights use as little as 2 to 4 watts per strand and can last for 200,000 hours. The new lights also emit a much warmer glow than previous models.

The LED string lights are available in varied styles and sizes – Forever Lights, Super Bright String Lights and Retro LED String Lights. The Forever Lights are flame-shaped, while the Super Bright String Lights are more traditional mini-lights. Both are available in warm white or multi-colored. The Retro lights are the old-fashioned bulb design and are only available in multi-colored.

For a wreath or doorway, Battery-Operated String Lights are a great way to make a statement without worrying about an extension cord. Each 6 ½” string has 20 unbreakable lights and is suitable for indoor use, or in protected outdoor areas such as a porch or covered entryway.

The Solar Star Lights change from red to green to blue, and the Northern Lights Spheres glow in a cycle of seven shifting colors. Both put on an ever-changing show of colors all evening. The Star Lights come with two interchangeable finials for different seasons – a hummingbird and a lily.

The Solar Cattail Lights feature a soft amber light that glows through the crackle-finish glass of these graceful steel ornaments.

The Winter Solar Finial uses a warm white LED inside clear glass finials, making them sparkle like miniature ice sculptures. The set includes one stake and three interchangable decorative finials, a snowman, angel and a tree.

Gardener’s Supply offers many more outdoor lighting options that may be viewed online at www.gardeners.com or a free catalog is available by calling 1-800-955-3370.

[1. Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States. CERES, NRDC, & PSEG. April 2004.bb (See http://www.nrdc.org/air/pollution/benchmarking/2002/benchmark2002_pt1.pdf)

Information regarding holiday light energy use was provided courtesy of “Ask Rachael”, an energy-advice column offered by Efficiency Vermont, the nation’s first statewide‘energy efficiency utility.’

(ARA) - Outdoor living spaces are turning as warm and cozy as the family room, whether you can enjoy them for two months or twelve. In the latest outdoor makeovers, indoor style has fast become an outdoor phenomenon, from growth in exterior kitchens to advancements in outdoor furniture, lighting solutions and more.

“As consumers continue to ‘nest’ within the comforts of their homes, outdoor sanctuaries have become the new rooms to live and entertain in, from dawn to dusk and well beyond,” said Maria Burk, Kichler Landscape Lighting product manager. “When you invest in beautiful outdoor areas, you should incorporate your own personal taste, and highlight the best features of your home and garden.”

To ensure the functionality and flair of outdoor spaces, selecting lighting is among the most important outdoor decor decisions a homeowner can make. Fortunately, an innovative array of outdoor lighting options have evolved to complement a variety of tastes, making outdoor illumination a walk in the park.

1. Coordinate lighting styles throughout the yard for a cohesive look.

Matching deck lights, path lights, garden accessories and other specialty landscape lighting fixtures helps create a cohesive look that both enhances your investment and heightens the enjoyment of outdoor living. Think about the style and mood you want to create outdoors, and purchase lighting solutions that follow that theme.

Kichler is the first to offer coordinating outdoor lighting fixtures and accessories with the introduction of Garden Collections, six complete outdoor lighting families made with the most durable materials and finishes to withstand the harsh effects of both time and weather. From an English garden to a rustic lodge to a relaxed tropical setting, the Collections include everything you need to set the stage, including lamppost toppers, path lights, lighted bird baths, lighted obelisks and statues, and even a spin on the popular gazing ball.

2. Create a focal point that highlights your outdoor motif.

Just as a chandelier creates focus in your foyer, build a centerpiece for your outdoor decor. Think about where you’ll be spending the most time and which areas may need more light. If you’ll be spending a lot of time on a covered outdoor patio, outdoor chandeliers create a beautiful focus by bringing functionality and building aesthetic appeal. Kichler offers a wide array of outdoor chandeliers with enclosed, waterproof glass shades, all U.L. listed for damp locations.

3. Install sconces approved for indoor and outdoor use.

Sconces have long added the perfect amount of glow to frame large rooms and doorways indoors. Why not apply the same concept outdoors? Exterionce outdoor sconces, exclusively from Kichler, are U.L. listed for wet locations and come in a range of designs and sizes to enhance the appearance of decks, porches and entranceways. With matching chandeliers, these outdoor-friendly pieces take exterior living to the next level.

4. Let accessories shine - in more ways than one.

Outdoor accessories regularly add beauty to your lawn and garden, but let the accessories really shine by selecting elements that highlight themselves or serve dual purposes. Instead of opting for a traditional plant potter, try something like Kichler’s Gate House lit urn. Complete with a water pump, this elegant urn adds beauty to the garden by illuminating live potted plants. If it’s a touch of Zen you’re looking for, add a little bit of glow to the traditional figure with Kichler’s Zen Gardener figure, complete with a 12-volt lantern in hand.

5. Use outdoor lamps to add atmosphere and build ambience.

For an updated look with flexibility, outdoor portable lamps are the perfect option. Westwood Collections offers portable lamps with whimsical designs and nature-inspired themes. U.L. listed for wet locations, there’s no need to bring them indoors when it pours.

6. Opt for easy-to-install, low-voltage lighting systems.

For the best results, install low-voltage lighting systems rather than solar lighting. Using just 12 volts of electricity, low-voltage lighting out-shines solar lighting because it “throws” the light better, so you notice the lighting effect, not just the light itself. Also, solar lights fade, but low-voltage systems allow you to control when the lights will be on or off. Best of all, they’re relatively easy to install.

So, are you ready to get to work? With these helpful hints in tow, feel free to take a breath of fresh air. Your yard will soon be the talk of the neighborhood, and you’ll quickly find why outdoor living has never looked so good.

For more bright ideas on outdoor lighting or to find a Kichler dealer near you, visit www.kichler.com or call (800) 659.9000.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Solar lighting is a form of illumination that uses the sun’s energy to directly charge batteries that will then be used to power the light source at night. There are other forms of collecting the sun’s energy to be used for lighting. More methods are being invented regularly to perfect the harnessing of the sun’s energy to be able to utilize it fully for our energy needs.

In some homes, solar lighting is consistently used to light up both indoor and outdoor areas. Indoor lights use the energy from the solar panels connected to them most likely installed in the roof or any area that has maximum exposure to sunlight. Outdoor solar landscape lighting usually has small solar panels installed on the lamp fixtures themselves. The solar energy charges the batteries that are installed in the lamp fixtures. In most cases, the outdoor solar landscape lighting usually has a photo switch that is sensitive to the presence of sunlight. When it is dusk, the photo switch is triggered and the solar landscape lighting automatically turns on using solar energy.

Advantages Of Solar Landscape Lighting

There are numerous advantages of using solar landscape lighting for the outdoors. One very obvious reason is saving electric costs of the household. It is just the initial cost of buying the solar landscape lighting that may daunt you but in the long run, it comes out cheaper compared to using electricity.

Using solar landscape lighting keeps your lawn clear of electrical wirings that you might need if you install electrical lights for your outdoor needs. The tedious job of digging and putting the wires underneath the ground is nothing compared to the risk of getting electrocuted if you do not safely install the wires. Solar landscape lighting is safer and has lees effort since you just usually poke the lighting fixtures on the ground.

Solar landscape lighting is advantageous also for most homeowners because most of them have photo switches that automatically turn on when daylight turns to dusk. This feature is very convenient especially if you are just returning home to an empty house and you can not find your way across your front yard.

The use of solar landscape lighting is basically more advantageous. The disadvantages are sometimes the solar panels may not charge properly and give you a dim light but other than that all other problems with electrical or solar lighting may be experienced.