"The Solar Decathlon will unleash the ingenuity, creativity and drive from these talented students to demonstrate new ideas for how families and businesses can reduce energy use and save money with clean energy products and efficient building design," Steven Chu, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) secretary said, reports Eco-Structure.com. 

EnvironmetalLights.com sponsored the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaigne's Re_home in the 2011 Solar Decathlon with energy-efficient LED strip lighting to install in the building. LED lighting assisted the team to win the Energy Balance category of the content with a score of 100 out of 100 for using minimal amounts of energy. 

Consider a combination of natural and LED lighting to create the perfect atmosphere. Skylights allow sunbeams to enter the room and fill it with natural light without hindering privacy - a common problem with large windows. Design a space with ample light without having to worry about the neighbors being able to see in!

LED lighting in the bathroom provides task lighting for those spaces that require additional brightness even during the sunniest day. Compared to LEDs, other more traditional solutions such as incandescent and halogen are ineffective. LED bulbs are energy-efficient - reducing both cost and use and a more sustainable option.

They last approximately 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs with a lifetime ranging from 35,000 to 50,000 hours, compared to the average 1,000 to 2,000 hours expectancy of incandescent lights.

A homeowner seeking to create a sustainable bathroom should consider investing in combining skylights and effective LED bathroom lighting.

"Our challenge with this multi-layer staircase was designing the custom lighting to go along with the design," said lead designer, Vladamir Krakhman. "To match with the clean white look of Lacoste, we chose to put in bright LED lighting on each step to help enhance the floating effect."

Having worked with EnvironmentalLights.com before, Krakhman chose their dimmable LED strip lighting in warm white for the job (wwrf5050-60-reel). The 5050 LEDs on this strip are bigger than standard strip - almost 175 percent brighter. And luckily, LEDs are very energy efficient (only 50 watts per 5-meter reel) because the stairway utilized over 650 feet (40 reels), totaling 2 kilowatts of power.

LED Strip lights are dimmable, which allows for store owners to control the light settings and brightness. Environmental Lights offers a variety of strip lights, dimmers and controllers to create any type of lighting in residential or commercial applications.

In the Demonstration Assessment of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Retrofit Lamps at Intercontinental Hotel in San Francisco, CA case study prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy, the projected costs of a hotel retrofit was over a three-year period. The initial projected costs of the lighting renovation was $19,393.

If energy costs held at a $0.13 per kWh melded rate for the hotel, energy costs would decrease from $6,361 annually (51,975 kWh) with the original halogen lamps to $1,975 annually (16,136 kWh) with LEDs, according to the report.

Combined with the lifecycle cost of the LED installation at $28,294 a drastic decrease from the $48,992 for the halogen lamps, the LED lighting solution could provide a massive cost saving advantage. The figures add up to a payback for the retrofit within 1.1 years and an adjusted internal rate of return of 39.67 percent.

Investing in retrofitting a hotel with LED lighting offers owners a cost-saving energy-efficient lighting solution to traditional options.

It gains guests attention, lights up the room and could provide the center piece to a lobby's decor - potentially reducing design costs by checking off two lobby requirements in one item. It can act as mood lighting and highlight the room's furnishings to develop the best overall effect.

Outfitting those one-of-a-kind pieces with LED light bulbs or systems can increase the hotel's return on the aesthetic and functional fixture. LED light bulbs reduce electricity costs by approximately $6 a year and by $40 during the course of its lifetime, according to ENERGY STAR. They use 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last at least six times longer.

Investing in a creative and unique statement lighting piece with LED lighting for a hotel lobby can provide a return in more than one way for an owner!

According to the Lighting Research Center, the average kitchen, in general, should have fixtures and bulbs that produce between 4810 to 10000, with a Color Rendering Index (CRI) greater than 80. The lumens in a pantry, counters and sink can be higher than those surrounding the dining area. 

The minimum level represents the least amount of lumens required to meet the level recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) at a 50 percent efficiency rate, reports the source.

Lighting concepts are helpful guidelines used to effectively plan and execute lighting needs in a kitchen. A designer or contractor can use recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting and other fixtures to maintain the appropriate lumen levels in such a key area of the household. 

The Environmental Lights High Brightness Premium brand of dimmable under-cabinet lighting unit that could provide a grocery chain quality illumination solutions. With this under-shelf lighting option, product brands will gain the full benefit of bright lights. Customers will be more likely to see their name, recognize a logo or even read the product details and instructions on the packaging.

LED light bars can produce the same amount of lumens (light) as traditional incadescent lights or CFL bulbs, while using significantly less watts (energy) – only 5 watts per 12” light bar. They are dimmable as well so you can soften the lighting to fit the atmosphere of the store. The 24 V LED Dimmer with Remote Control offered by EnvironmentalLights.com, allows you to control up to 72 watts with 16 step dimming performance.

Groceries seeking to get their product's name in lights could invest in the LED High Brightness Dimmable Under Cabinet Light 24 inch Soft White. Each light bar is less than 0.65 inches thick (including mounting clips) and is easy to hide behind, under or in shelves or cabinets. They are linkable and come in a variety of lengths for creating custom lighting solutions. 

Energy-efficient, shelf lighting options could benefit grocery stores across the country. 

Office buildings are the number one consumer of commercial energy costs, using 2,039 trillion Btu of primary on-site electricity, reports the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA). Energy distribution for an office building is overwhelmingly dedicated to lighting, with 294 trillion Btu.

On average, one office building uses 1.4 billion Btu a year, which is an energy use of 97.2 thousand Btu per square foot, according to the EIA. Large office buildings have the highest total energy costs of any commercial building, spending about $15.8 billion per year - most of it dedicated to paying for electricity.
The average energy cost of a square foot in an office building is $1.51. That is an increase from the national average of energy costs for a commercial building of $1.19 per square foot.

According to ENERGY STAR, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that if the energy-efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings increased by 10 percent, Americans could save $20 billion annually. It would also lead to a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, enough to equal the emissions produced by approximately 30 million vehicles.

As electricity is one of the largest expenses for a commercial office building, switching from incandescent, halogen or CFL bulbs to energy-efficient LEDs can provide business owners an impressive cost saving opportunity. LED bulbs use 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, according to ENERGY STAR.

How retrofitting can decrease energy costs

Retrofitting a commercial building with LEDs can provide the business with a longer-lasting product. LEDs last approximately 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and a business can expect their lifetime to range from 35,000 to 50,000 hours. This is a radical leap in ability compared to the average 1,000 to 2,000 hours lifetime expectancy of incandescent lights.

According to ENERGY STAR, one LED light bulb can save a business $6 a year in electricity costs and more than $40 in its lifetime.

A commercial or office building being considered for a LED lighting retrofit should undergo the creation of an energy action plan to accurately evaluate the energy-efficient, cost-saving and improve-performance of the switch. The plan can include the current energy use of a commercial building and the costs that go with more inefficient lighting technology.

After a business owner receives the initial costs of retrofitting a traditional incandescent or halogen system to LED and perhaps experiences sticker shock, it is important to then begin calculating the savings toward the cost. The return on the investment may be as soon as a couple years.
If a business can not make the transition in one remodeling project, ENERGY STAR recommends considering a staged approach to LED lighting building upgrades.

How the evolving commercial market involves LED lighting

In 2007, the global LED market was $4.6 billion, reports the Center on Globalization Governance and Competitiveness. LED application increase is expected to reach 20 percent by 2011, according to the LED Supply/Demand Market Forecast Report. This increase is largely attributed to an increase in commercial and retail uses.

According to Pike Research studies, the global market for commercial lighting reached $42 billion in 2011 and will increase to about $54 billion in 2012, reports Industry Leaders Magazine. LED lighting is projected to reach 52 percent of the commercial lighting market by 2021 due to an increase in sustainable product interest, increased cost saving opportunity, lighting technology advances, to successfully deal with potential limited energy resources and a decrease in retrofitting costs.

LED lighting costs are expected to reduce by 80 to 90 percent during the course of the next decade as they increase in popularity.

"LEDs represent perhaps the most significant breakthrough of the last 130 years in lighting technology," research analyst Eric Bloom told Pike Research. "The production of white LEDs, which began in the late 1990s, is starting to transform the lighting industry, and the transition to this new technology is likely to occur very quickly.  Rapidly evolving technologies, such as semiconductors and software, are finding their way into the lighting market, catapulting this traditional, historically slow-moving industry into a new era of high technology."

The advances in LED technology are instigated by their improved lighting capabilities, lower energy costs and overall increased sustainability. Pike Research estimates that the energy efficiency market for buildings will reach $103.5 billion during 2017, according to the Industry Leader Magazine. That is a 50 percent increase from the market value in 2011.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory states that green commercial buildings cost less to maintain, use less energy, emit less carbon dioxide and have more satisfied occupants, reports the news source. Retrofitting a building to LED lights is the first step a business can achieve these positive features in their office buildings.

The lifetime of an LED is so much longer than traditional lighting options that after the expected industry peak of $54 billion in 2012, the market's profit is expected to decline to $30 billion by 2021. That translates to potentially huge cost savings for businesses after installation.

McKinsey & Company estimates that LED lighting in commercial applications have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 110 million tons by the year 2030, according to the Center on Globalization Governance and Competitiveness.

The source reports that many large businesses find the sustainable, yet economic benefits of LED-based lighting an increasingly compelling reason to make the switch from traditional bulb options such as incandescent, halogen and CFL. Businesses actively considering their environmental impact could consider investing in retrofitting commercial and office buildings to LED lighting options - it provides a sustainable lighting solution, without ever forgetting about the bottom line.

The next time a business owner is faced with sky-rocketing energy costs, he or she could consider LED lighting as a potential fix. While the future of business may be dependent on innovation and proper management, being energy conscience can help a company reduce its carbon footprint as well as save money in the long run.

Lowering the brightness in a room can assist to create a romantic and relaxing atmosphere. The lowered level of light in the room limits color impact and decreases the room's energy. Therefore, a business seeking to create a dreamy atmosphere with mood lighting in suites can help guests transform from travel weary to calm and blissful.

Installing 24 Volt DC LED Dimmers around the property can provide control to the customer in the suites or managers in the dining room. The high-frequency pulse dimming ensures that no annoying flickers will happen when a user turns the knob to increase or decrease lighting in the room.

The proper dimming component can help a hospitality establishment to set a romantic mood. 

The length of darkness surrounding a seedling is equally important as the length of time it spends soaking in light. According to HomeHarvest.com, the dark period of each day affects flowering and seeding of most plants because darkness works as a trigger. Therefore, the length of time a seedling experiences light or dark will vary in accordance to their species. The duration of time a plant is ideally exposed to light in regards to the growing period and natural progression is referred to as photoperiods.

A gardener can control the time a seedling spends in the dark or light according to the ideal photoperiods with plant grow lights. They can simulate the most accurate portrayal of the plant's natural photoperiods to generate healthier growth.

Here are a two tips to creating a tropical get away that will entice customers:

1. Give those rooms a fresh coat of paint. It is cost effective and can brush new life to the decor of a building. Using high-gloss white paint on the wood work can make the rooms seem fresh, are stain resistant and will reflect the lighting to create a brighter room.

2. Invest in quality LED lighting. Energy-efficient lighting fixtures can give a room style and reduce costs. The high powered bulbs can be in funky colors for the outdoor dance floor and bar area or soft and smooth for the indoor areas catering to relaxation. 

The update covers streets from 3rd to 15th and is expected to reduce lighting energy use by 65 percent and provide better lighting for the the mall's 25 million visitors each year officials said, reports the Washington Post.

"Using energy-efficient LED light bulbs is an important way Americans can save money by saving energy," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said according to USAToday. 

CFL bulbs lose approximately 85 percent of their energy to heat production. In comparison, LED lights produce 75 percent less heat and use much less energy to produce the same amount of light.

The expected lifespan of an LED light bulb can range from 35,000 to 50,000 hours and could reduce the nation's energy costs. Retrofitting the historic lamp posts lining the walk ways of the National Mall marks a commitment to sustainable practices and increased light quality. 

Effective recessed lighting can draw the attention of a consumer's eye to a new buying opportunity. The color variations, lasting power and brightness ability of LED recessed lighting can far exceed traditional incandescent options.

While retail is a large driving market in the U.S., numbers have been lower than typical the past few years and businesses need every advantage. The U.S. Census Bureau from the U.S. Department of Commerce estimated that food and retail sales for December, after being adjusted for seasonal and holiday variance, was approximately $400.6 billion.  Retail markets are working to make a strong recovery from previous lean years.

Investing in proper LED lighting could assist to further increase consumer incentive to buy and improve the economy.

Indoor LED lighting is a sustainable lighting solution. Switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to LED light bulbs is not only supported by environment impact reports but by hard numbers as well.

LEDs last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and you can expect their lifetime to range from 35,000 to 50,000 hours, compared to 1,000 to 2,000 hours with incandescent lights. According to ENERGY STAR, LED light bulbs will save you $6 a year in electricity costs and more than $40 in the lifetime of the single bulbs.

They use 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Numbers don't lie. Making the switch to LED bulbs is not only good for the environment, it is a benefit to your wallet.

EnvironmentalLights.com believes in sustainable lighting solutions that are energy-efficient and long-lasting, which lowers energy use and minimizes the environmental impacts from manufacturing and waste. Consider switching to LED light bulbs today and you may watch your electric bill and carbon footprint reduce.

Entertainment and decorative lighting can be easily controlled with the 24 V Under Cabinet Light Controller - 2 Channel. It provides a bar owner the option of both standard dimming and auto fading with custom timing. Using the standard dimming mode a user can range brightness as well as the time is takes to dim from one to 20 seconds. The unit also provides an auto flashing feature that allows a one to eight seconds switching flash to create an energetic atmosphere.

The 24 V Under Cabinet Light Controller - 4 Channel works much the same way as the 2 - channel option but creates a higher energy output. Both create a high frequency pulse dimming that can achieve unique bar lighting.

Display case lighting should reflect the quality of the pieces by having a high Color Rendering Index (CRI), anywhere from 80 - 100. The CRI is an internationally relied on index of the ability of a light source to reveal color and its ability to illuminate without distorting. A retailer may also prefer lighting in higher temperatures such as natural white light (4,000°K) to make the jewels and metals shine.

White light accurately reflects the colors of the various pieces, regardless of their individual characteristics. For example, while blue lighting may be flattering to silver, white gold and blue stones, it is not an ideal color for yellow gold or red stones.

Lighting can make a display shine and attract customers to the counter - don't let sales opportunities go to waste.

One potential green solution a resort may wish to invest in is LED lighting. They are highly energy efficient and can reduce a building's carbon footprint. According to ENERGY STAR, if every American home replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR LED light bulb, over 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year could be prevented.

Sustainable LED lighting options can be one way a nature-inspired resort can promote their green practices.

EnvironmentalLights.com believes in sustainable lighting solutions that are energy-efficient, long-lasting, lower energy use and minimizes the environmental impacts from manufacturing and waste. High-quality LED lighting can improve a hospitality destination's green movement with efficient lighting solutions. 

Watts are a measure of energy used. In contrast, lumens are the measure of light brightness. The more lumens, the brighter the light the bulb will produce. LEDs produce the same amount of light brightness (lumens) as a traditional bulb, while using significantly less energy (watts).

Investing in LED lighting can reduce energy costs and increase a room's brightness. LEDs can be an efficient lighting solution because a high percentage of the energy they use goes toward producing light. A light-emitting diode (LED) is a type of solid-state lighting (SSL) that emits visible light when an electric current passes through it.

In contrast, an incandescent bulb creates light by passing electricity through a filament until it becomes so hot that it glows. With CFL bulbs, an electric current is driven through a tube of gases which produces light through a reaction. As a result, incandescent bulbs release 90 percent of their energy as heat, and CFLs almost 80 percent.

LED lights can waste less energy, measured by watts and produces greater brightness, measured by lumens.

Kitchens require functionality as well as ambiance. In order to walk that perfect balance you may wish to combine a variety of lighting fixtures. According to HGTV, kitchen lighting should blend four layers: task, ambient, accent and decorative lighting.

Recessed lights can be the perfect answer for making a kitchen functional. They are often very bright and can improve the safety of the overall room by giving users clear visibility. Accent and decorative lights allow you to determine the atmosphere and style of a space.

To make your space showcase your style, try and use unique chandeliers, wall sconces and drop down lighting fixtures to create the feel of the room.

A blend of fixture variety will help define the space and make it a room you, friends and family can enjoy. 

LEDs are advances are improving and costs are decreasing. As a result, more and more global commercial industries are making the switch. In 2007, the global LED market was $4.6 billion, reports the Center on Globalization Governance and Competitiveness.

LED application increase is expected to reach 20 percent by 2011, according to the LED Supply/Demand Market Forecast Report. Backlight applications revenue reached $7.2 billion in 2010 and is expected to increase to $12.7 billion in 2014.

"While overall LED demand continues to rise, we are seeing demand taper off in LED backlights and begin to trend more in the direction of LED lighting," said a senior analyst of the report. "Due to high inventories and low sales for LED-backlit LCD TVs in Q4’10, Q1’11and early Q2’11, LED backlight demand dropped slightly; we expect it to pick up again and reach a maximum level in Q3’11 due to seasonal demand."

Many U.S. and Japanese commercial industries are making the switch to LED lighting.

Here are a few tips to remember before designing the lighting effects for a corporate event:

1. Focus attendees attention to the correct location in the room. Large corporate events will typically feature a stage. Include beams of surrounding light in warm tones to grab people's attention. Light bulbs with a warm color temperature will highlight the stage and provide flattering ambient light for most people's skin tone on stage.

2. Include color lights on the dance floors. To keep guests entertained after the night's business has been concluded, dance floors can feature playful color options.

3. Use LED lights on the stage. If a video of the event's speaker is required, LED lights provide the quality of light many video production companies require to successfully create a professional video.

New research requires a plentiful supply of the plant, which led to numerous experiments on the best methods to grow it. Scientists have determined that algae grows stronger, healthier, faster and more plentiful under LED plant growth lights than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. However, only certain LED light bulbs produce the best results.

Red/blue light bars grow algae better than white or other colored LED bulbs due to the plant's light wavelength preferences. LED bulbs do not produce the heat required by the plant to stimulate growth, a traditional incandescent bulb may be used to balance out the heat to light wavelength ratio. Keep the incandescent light bulbs to a minimum so as not to create a lighting wavelength conflict for the algae.

Algae is a beneficial plant that may one day be the basis for a new cure or energy resource. Therefore, plant growth lights will play a vital role in its development.

However, many community theaters have a limited budget and space, and cannot use expensive lighting. To solve this, EnvironmentalLights.com offers the Easy Stand Alone DMX Controller. It could provide the amazing effects a community theater group is looking for, without featuring the high cost of many stage lighting controllers.

The Easy Stand Alone DMX Controller has a USB interface, 512 channels, 255 scenes and a clock scheduler to save lighting effects on a timer. It is a simple and easy-to-use mixer board that is compatible with your average PC (not Macs).

A community theater or novice lighting tech can use this device to experiment with color-changing of any color mix. The device features many of the common mixer, color and lighting effect controls of a lighting board to create quality illumination for a community theater. Lighting is an investment for the future success of a theater and could assist to attract viewers to a product.

The Waterproof Dimmable Super Flat LED Rope Light with 5050 LEDs, 60/m by the 20-meter reel is a LED lighting option that enables a melding of creativity and functionality.

The lights are powerful, flexible and could provide ample light needed for outdoor safety. Specially made to resist harm from the elements, an LED rope light not only provides illumination, but does it for 75 percent less energy than incandescent lighting options.

The Waterproof Dimmable Super Flat LED Rope Light uses wire, not circuits, to carry current - allowing for extended connectivity with less risk than traditional rope lighting options.

The individual in charge of decor could use the strip lighting to curve along a sidewalk, a building or wrap along banisters or columns. There are numerous lighting possibilities for this device in a hotel or restaurant outdoor space.

The Traxon Light Drive is a start-of-the-art multi-zone DMX controller that can provide a lighting director an easy-to-use wall mounted controller. The remote access tool connects entire lighting systems together for easy transitions.

You can easily tune the color and brightness of LED lights to change the mood of the shot with just a turn of the Light-Drive wheel. With a quick sweep of the finger, a set can be transformed from soft and relaxed with yellow light, to bright and intense with white light.

Proper lighting is required on a television set to provide consumers the best product possible. The Traxon Light Drive can provide flexible light control opportunities that can suit the needs of lighting designer.

To make up for this, many tropical plant gardeners will use a greenhouse outfitted with plant growth lights. This is to avoid even a brief period of 45 or 50 degree weather, which can damage the temperature sensitive plants.

Here are a few tips to ensure tropical plants receive the proper care:

1. Provide proper lighting. Tropical plants require a higher intensity of lighting, as well as a longer duration. To ensure tropical plants receive proper levels, consult with the species specific instructions from a plant growth book and use plant growth lights to provide control.

2. Place tropical plants in a greenhouse. Even a small indoor greenhouse can be used to control the humidity and temperature levels a tropical plant requires. Many greenhouses can be temperature controlled through automatic timers that connect to the lighting to make a cohesive transition from night to day levels.

While LED lighting products currently vary greatly, businesses interested in making the change can profit financially from making the switch. The life of a high-powered white LED bulb is projected to be from 35,000 to 50,000 hours, reports National Geographic. In contrast, traditional fluorescent linear tube bulbs last between 20,000 to 30,000 hours. The long lasting solution can decrease lighting costs throughout the year and make a return on the investment.

At EnvironmentalLights.com we believe in sustainable lighting solutions that are energy-efficient and long-lasting, which can lower energy use and minimize environmental impact from manufacturing and waste.

LED lights provide the opportunity to reduce energy waste and decrease lighting waste. Therefore, potentially increasing lighting efficiency and lowering overhead costs.

EnvironmentalLights.com offers this dimmable LED Strip Light with 3528 LEDs, which gives retailers control over the color of white they prefer. Color temperature is the degree of warmness or coolness of a light source, measured in kelvins (°K). From warm white (2,400°K) to daylight white (6,500°K) and any color in between, retailers can update their lighting in accordance to the products they are displaying and ambient light levels during different months.

Lower temperature color lights or warm white appear yellowish at 2,700°K or for soft white at 3,000°K. Higher temperatures appear bluer and are often called neutral white (4,000°K) or daylight white (6,500°K).

A color tunable strip installed to showcase products can help boost customer appeal for an item. EnvironmentalLights.com offers a variety of colors to choose from to meet the needs of the individual retailer.

Spas should make you feel good about yourself and provide an opportunity to relax. Dim lighting helps provide those feelings by enhancing the mood. Investing in effective lighting in a remodel can create a functional and fabulous space.

The bathroom must play a dual role, so a homeowner may wish to include soft lighting for ambiance and bright lighting for detailed work such as shaving and applying makeup. These distinctions are made by determining the color temperature - the degree of warmness of coolness of a light source and are measured in kelvins (°K).

Warm lighting options that create the soft spa environment are called warm white (2,700°K) or soft white (3,000°K). Higher temperatures provide the bright light used around mirrors appear bluer and are called neutral white (4,000°K) or daylight white (6,500°K).

Installing dimmable lights, light bars behind the mirror or waterproof strip lighting to surround the bathing area can help create a home spa fit for relaxation whenever you need.

A evening out is one of the key features of the holiday date and couples across the United States will be booking their reservations soon. Lighting can make an establishment stand out from other dining destinations by installing a variety of functional and distinct lighting options. Lighting can contribute to the overall appearance of a restaurant and make guests squeal in delight over the ambiance of a restaurant. 

Beautiful lighting may be able to entice visitors to try a new restaurant. Restaurant owner's can try using a mix of wall mounts, candelabras and flexible LED light strips in the property's decor for a splendid effect.

By dimming the lights to a soft hue a restaurant may find their customers staying longer to enjoy the romantic ambiance. Investing in the proper lighting may greatly affect the business and reputation of an establishment. Consult with an expert from EnvironmentalLights.com on the lighting that will promote a restaurant best as a quality dining experience. 

To increase sales and customer satisfaction, a retailer may want to invest in proper lighting. A key ingredient to the success of showcase lighting is the color temperature - which is the degree of warmness or coolness of a light source and is measured in kelvins (°K).

Lower temperature colors of light appear yellowish and are often referred to as warm white (2,700°K) or soft white (3,000°K). Clothing retailers should especially consider investing in light bulbs of 3,000°K because it improves the overall skin tone of a customer as they try on clothing in the dressing room to determine if they will make the purchase.

In contrast, jewelry cases present goods best when outfitted with neutral white (4,000°K) lighting systems to make jewelry sparkle and shine in display cases to catch the consumer's eye.

Proper color temperature can assist retailers display their merchandise and engage potential customers.

What is ENERGY STAR?

Products that earn the ENERGY STAR certification use less energy and prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy.

With energy costs and global warming among top concerns for most consumers, Environmental Lights is committed to offering solutions that help consumers conserve energy and improve the quality of our environment.

ENERGY STAR not only saves you money, it helps protect the environment

The typical household spends $1,900 a year on energy bills. With ENERGY STAR, you can save nearly $600 on energy bills. Environmental Lights offers high-quality, premium lighting products, and many of our products are ENERGY STAR qualified. Environmental Lights conducts extensive testing of our products in our laboratory to ensure success in the field, and we also provide custom documentation for installation and best practices.

But more than saving energy, ENERGY STAR also makes a difference for the environment. Did you know that the average house can be responsible for twice the greenhouse gas emissions as the average car? That’s because every time you flip on a light switch, run your dishwasher or turn on your air conditioner, you use energy, which means more greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. The more we can save through energy efficiency, the more we help to reduce greenhouse gases and the accompanying risks of global warming.

How LEDs help the cause

LED light bulbs:

•  Use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs
•  Last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lighting
•  Come in different shapes and sizes, including spiral and globe, to fit in most residential or commercial fixtures
•  Are convenient in hard-to-reach or high-use fixtures, as they need replacing less often
•  Generate 70 percent less heat than incandescent light bulbs
•  Do not hum, buzz, or flicker
•  ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs offer a 2-year manufacturer warranty (twice the industry standard)

So join EnvironmentalLights.com in making a difference with ENERGY STAR. Go to www.energystar.gov for more information.

What is A.R.E.?
The Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) is a non-profit trade association that has represented the retail environments industry for over 50 years. Their 800 member companies include store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products and suppliers of materials and equipment for the retail environments industry. Member capabilities include importing, exporting, consolidating, installing, project management, engineering, design and much more. A.R.E. connects retailers and brand marketers with the professionals who bring their brands to life.

Connect with Environmental Lights at GlobalShop
GlobalShop is the world’s largest annual tradeshow and conference dedicated to store design, visual merchandising and shopper marketing. Sponsored by A.R.E., it is the only place where retailers and brand marketers can visit over 600 suppliers in a single location. The GlobalShop show floor is conveniently divided into six sections of the retail design industry: Store Fixturing, Visual Merchandising, Store Design and Operations, Digital Store, At-Retail Marketplace and Retail Marketing Services.

Environmental Lights will be in Booth #2962 in the Visual Merchandising area at GlobalShop 2012 in Las Vegas February 29 - March 2, 2012.

Cutting energy use with more efficient technology can be a benefit for the office both socially and economically. Here are a few effective steps to saving electricity at work.

1. Switch from incandescent light bulbs to LEDs. An LED light bulb may cost more initially than an incandescent bulb, however it offers cost and energy savings in the long run. An LED light bulb uses 75 percent less energy than traditional light bulbs and lasts six times longer. It will save about $6 a year in electricity costs and approximately $40 over the lifetime of the longer lasting bulb.

2. Put LED lights on a lighting management system. Using timers and motion sensors, the lights in an office building can turn themselves off when no one is using a space. Prioritize upgrading lighting to heavy-traffic areas, such as conference rooms, hallways and bathrooms, which can easily save an office a few thousand dollars in electricity costs over time.

Residential lighting offers a wealth of lighting opportunities for homeowners. Choosing the correct bulb is important. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before making the commitment.

1. Identify the needs of the room. Rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms and stairs require bulbs that are bright and instantly turn on for safety. There should be little time between flipping the switch and full luminescence.

2. Make the switch slowly. LED lights are more expensive than traditional incandescent bulbs, but will provide greater savings for the consumer once installed. Making the change room by room will decrease the pain of the investment. LED technology is also rapidly improving, allowing for prices to steadily drop.

Switching from incandescent bulbs to the more cost effective and efficient LED lights can take time, but in the end it will be worth it.

LED lights use 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs and last 25 times longer, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

There are three factors that determine the cost of lighting. The cost of energy to produce the light, the cost of maintaining the light (including time spent changing bulbs), and the actual cost of the bulb.

"By far, the most important cost of lighting is the energy your lights consume, not the cost of your bulbs," says Greg Thorson, CEO and co-founder of EnvironmentalLights.com. "Energy-efficient lighting is one of the best investments you can make - low risk, with very high payoff."

On average, it costs about $4.80 to operate a traditional incandescent bulb for a year (electricity cost). By comparison, it would cost about $1.00 to operate a LED bulb with the same lumens (brightness).
Cutting cost from a landscaping project is ideal. However, before breaking out the wallet to make a purchase, it is important to check out how temperature will affect the light bulbs performance. Most LED lights are rated for a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and their color may change due to increases or decreases in temperature, according to LEDs Magazine.

In order to avoid this, a consumer should always check to make sure the LED bulbs they are purchasing are labeled for outdoor use and at what temperatures. Choosing the correct LED system for outdoor lighting can save a consumer money, increase safety and provide aesthetic appeal to any home.

"We really enjoy working with the House Crashers team to design LED lighting systems to fit their home renovations," said co-founder and vice president of EnvironmentalLights.com, Anne Thorson. "It has been so rewarding to work with them and see the beautiful results, and we hope that this partnership continues for a long time."
To view all House Crashers episodes featuring EnvironmentalLights.com, visit their YouTube Channel at: http://www.youtube.com/environmentallights.

The House Crashers team, led by host and licensed contractor Josh Temple, traveled to Cleveland find a homeowner shopping for do-it-yourself projects. When he found a shopper willing to take him home, Josh brought in his team of experts to create a dramatic renovation as seen in episode "Cleveland Wine Bar Basement."

"We were so surprised when the House Crashers crew approached us at the store," said Drew, homeowner from Cleveland remodel. "The whole experience was incredibly fun and we had a great time working with the team. It was a lot of hard work, but Josh helped to lighten the mood and keep everyone in good spirits. It was a blast."

In true House Crasher fashion, the crew worked tirelessly to transform the homeowner's dark and dingy basement into a one-of-a-kind wine bar and hangout space for adults. The design features under-stair wine storage, copper topped bars and a fireplace surrounded by laser-cut steel wall panels lit up from behind with LED strip lighting. Temple chose to install the dimmable LED strip lighting because of its flexibility, high brightness and easy installation. In this installation he chose the color "daylight white," but other color options are available including warm white, red, green, blue, amber, and color-changing.

"It was so thrilling working along-side House Crashers and our family and friends," explained Drew. "The reveal was the best part when we actually saw it all come together. And when the lights came on it really transformed our basement."

In order to control the brightness of the LED lighting, the House Crashers team installed a Leviton Magnetic Dimmer and 240 Watt 12 VDC dimming power supply, as recommended by EnvironmentalLights.com. This system offers the homeowner the flexibility to control the lighting and atmosphere of the space. It also ensures that the proper voltage is provided to the LEDs and they are not overdriven due to repeated excess current - which would damage the LEDs and shorten the life of the system.

"The LED lights really set the mood downstairs when we have guests over," said Drew. "The wall feature is really striking, and we can easily dim the lights to create a lounge-like feel in the room."

LEDs are one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly changing technologies. Contractors as well as interior designers recommend updating residential and commercial properties with upgraded lighting not only for cost-savings, but for the effects that LED lighting can have on a space. EnvironmentalLights.com has tested and documented a variety of lighting systems, and can recommend and design the ideal system for any property.

About EnvironmentalLights.com
EnvironmentalLights.com is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting products to meet the needs of business, commercial and residential clients. Founded in 2006 by founders Greg and Anne Thorson, the company offers a broad spectrum of light bulbs, strip and rope light, under cabinet light systems, Christmas lights, dimmers, controls and necessary hardware for any lighting project. For more information, please visit www.EnvironmentalLights.com.

About House Crashers
DIY Network builds on the success of its hit show Yard Crashers by taking this series inside. House Crashers is ambush renovation at its best. Host and contractor Josh Temple stalks a big-box home improvement store looking for unsuspecting shoppers, and then follows them home with a large crew of experts in tow. Watch as stunned homeowners who journeyed into the store to fix a simple leaky faucet end up winning the remodeling lottery with dramatic, eye-popping room transformations. For more information, please visit http://www.diynetwork.com/house-crashers/show/index.html.

An LED or light emitting diode is an electrical component with two terminals that enable the bulb to conduct electricity in only one direction, according to National Geograhic.

Connecting a diode to an electrical current produces fast moving electrons within the diode, which results in the releasing of photons that produce light. Incandescent bulbs create light by passing electricity through a filament until it becomes so hot that it glows. With CFL bulbs, an electric current is driven through a tube of gases which produces light through a reaction. As a result, incandescent bulbs release 90 percent of their energy as heat, and CFLs almost 80 percent.

LEDs can produce the same amount of light (lumens) as these traditional bulbs, while using 75 percent less energy and lasting 25 times longer. Their expected lifetime can range from 35,000 to 50,000 hours, compared to 1,000 to 2,000 hours with incandescent lights. A consumer or contractor looking to use higher performing materials for lighting should consider LED  lights.

Hotels should understand the characteristics of the fixtures they are installing, as well as how the lighting options are expected to perform. Kichler-brand LED track lighting from EnvironmentalLights.com features a variety of finishes. These products are ENERGY STAR certified and offer beautiful lighting options for any area. That means you get the longevity and power savings of LED lighting with no compromise on appearance.

This 4-light LED track lighting system can be mounted on the ceiling or wall to highlight artwork or architectural features. These LED track lights are dimmable, so you can use them to set the mood. Beautiful warm white LED lighting that is both well-designed and well-tested.

The United States Department of Energy reported that 7 percent of all energy consumed in the United States is because of lighting. The Obama Administration has implemented energy conservation standards for types of fluorescent lamps, and is encouraging energy-efficient measures to me made in the workplace and at home.

EnvironmentalLights.com is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting products. The company offers a broad variety of LED light bulbs, LED under cabinet lighting and LED strip lighting, all beneficial for hospitality businesses looking to become more sustainable.

Take control of your dynamic LED lighting environment with a programmable LED controller from EnvironmentalLights.com. We feature DMX controllers, such as the Easy Standalone and the Traxon Light Drive.

The Traxon Light Drive is a first-in-class, multi-zone DMX controller. You can set the right mood for any event by using the two different sequence modes that allow you to replay saved color settings. You can also opt for a preset colorphase function or choose the dimmable white mode instead. The controller’s six memory slots allow you to save your own settings, and you can turn them on with the touch of a button or even with a remote control.

We also provide non-DMX controllers, such as the Programmable Micro Remote Control and Sound-to-Light controller, for those that do not utilize Digital Multiplex control system protocol.

EnvironmentalLights.com offers expert advice for lighting professionals designing with LED strip lights.

The future of lighting is predicted to be widely comprised of various LED lighting options. The efficiency and cost effectiveness of the energy-efficient lighting will drive demand for more widespread use.

A key strength for LED lighting is the reduced power consumption. A LED light bulb is 80 percent more energy-efficient than an incandescent light bulb. There are many different types of options provided for both homes and businesses. LED bulbs last up to 10 times as long as fluorescent bulbs, and although they may be more expensive initially, they quickly return the investment with the money saved in electric expenses. 

Incandescent bulbs can seem cheaper upon immediate purchase, but the cost of replacement bulbs and labor expenses makes the product much more expensive. For a large number of installed bulbs, these expenses can add up quickly.

EnvironmentalLights.com is one of the leading providers for LED lighting needs.

EnvironmentalLights.com offers a variety of options for display lighting in retail space. One great choice would be LED light bars (also called under cabinet  lighting). Light bars are linkable, dimmable, energy efficient and can be used in a variety of spaces like under shelves, in cabinets and display cases.

LED strip lights are also another great option, and are sold by the foot as well as by the reel (16.4 feet). Uplight a coved ceiling, decorative feature, shelving, display cases and even custom signage outside the store. Strip lighting is available in single-colors including warm white, daylight white, red, green, blue, amber as well as color-changing.

A common mistake with retail  lighting is choosing the wrong color for your environment. Jewelry stores tend to prefer neutral white (4,000°K) because it makes diamonds and metals shine brightly in their natural color. Whereas a clothing store might choose warm white (3,000°K) in dressing rooms to help make the clothes look best on customers.

"Color tunable" strip lighting is also available, which allows store owners to adjust the color of white they prefer with a simple controller - from warm white (2,400°K) to daylight white (6,500°K) and any color in-between.

Under-cabinet lighting can be used to efficiently illuminate countertop space. The fixtures can be placed at the front of the cabinets as opposed to against the wall. The lighting is a successful method for evenly illuminating the area below the cabinets in any room. 

The proper kitchen lighting can be both aesthetic and functional. Layering the lighting helps to achieve positive results in living spaces. Placing task lighting near most of the task-oriented areas may help with the practicality of the kitchen.

Head to EnvironmentalLights.com to find top-of-the-line under-cabinet lighting options. Select from the popular EnvironmentalLights Premium dimmable line, the award-winning Design Pro line from Kichler, or the MaxLite dimmable line that requires no external drivers. Environmental Lights has a variety of accessories to illuminate the beauty of and grace of a family kitchen.

"Algae Farm is committed to providing commerical algal products reliably. This requires that we eliminate uncertainties and control production variables including light. With the LumiGrow solution, we are assured of a lasting, highest-quality lighting source for our crops," said Algae Farm CEO, Rick Berman.

High intensity discharge (HID) lights that are usually used in algae production may not be a great match for the unique needs of algae. This type of light is created for general lighting purposes rather than photosynthesis, and can waste more than 50 percent of the required for the bulb to function, reports Lumigrow. Environmental Lights offers high flux LED lighting designed for algae and other plant growth, available in blue and red light bars.

The implementation of LED lights with algae production can give the cultivation process a huge advantage. The energy-efficient light can supplement algae growth 24 hours a day. The algae industry can save millions of dollars in electrical bills by installing LED lights.

EnvironmentalLights.com is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting products.

Lighting can add to feel of the hotels and create unique looks. Many hotels have begun to make a commitment to a more sustainable future. The green initiatives involve conserving water and electricity and installing energy-efficient fixtures.

The Hilton Hotels Corporation began to adopt more sustainable practices in 2005. Hilton implemented recycling programs, refillable amenities, programmable thermostats and energy efficient lighting, according to Travel and Leisure.

Guestrooms offer great energy-saving opportunities. The business can save money as well as offer a positive impression on guests by installing energy-efficient lighting in guestrooms.

EnvironmentalLights.com is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting products. The company offers a broad variety of LED light bulbs, LED cabinet lighting and LED strip lighting, all  of which are beneficial for the hospitality industry and planet.

The right type of light fittings are necessary for new LED bulbs in homes or businesses. A growing number of opportunities are available for the use of LED lighting fixtures. They can be used for lighting strips, ceiling bulbs or recessed lighting.

LED lighting has evolved from its beginnings and now covers a range of different shapes, such as PAR16s, MR16s and MR11s. In addition to choosing the right shape bulb, the color should be considered.Warmer lights produce a softer or yellower light, similar to an incandescent bulb. While colder lights produce a whiter light that can seem more harsh or blue.

Choosing to install LED lighting can provide a significant amount of savings on energy costs. EnvironmentalLights.com offers a wide variety of dimmable LED bulbs and top of the line PAR20s, PAR30s and PAR38s.

Performance goals can drive energy management activities and promote improvement of business practices. Setting clear and measurable goals is vital for measuring results.

Kraft foods announced an expansion in their sustainability goals and highlighted their progress against areas of focus. The new goals build on previous successes and involve energy, carbon dioxide, water, waste and packaging reductions. The company added transportation and agricultural commodities to its 2010-2015 time frame.

Kraft Foods is expanding sustainability efforts at the company. They are improving past practices and looking to expand.

"Our new goals will help us to do more. For example, our increased focus on sustainable agriculture will further boost our scale to help accelerate long-range development in more communities and for more commodities than ever before," said Steve Yucknut, vice president of sustainability.

LED lights can help businesses become more sustainable. EnvironmentalLights.com is a leading LED lights provider and offers a variety of lights for both businesses and households.

LED lighting options are popular in businesses, but the demand for more energy efficient lighting has reached people all over the world. EnvironmentalLights.com offers a wide variety of LED lighting for all types of spaces. The lighting at Environmental Lights can help homeowners save as much as 15 to 20 percent on their electricity bills - a substantial savings at a time when utilities prices are on the rise.

Consumers should unplug appliances when they are not in use. "Smart" power strips can sense when appliances are off and cuts out energy use that is not required. Washing clothes in cold water can help to save money and energy - about 90 percent of the energy used to wash clothes in a conventional washer is for heating the water.

Although energy efficiency is more attainable than ever before, it takes commitment to reach this goal. Organizations and households need to work in tandem to improve their green initiative.

Energy Star suggests that companies institute an energy policy. The policy should have clear and measurable objectives. A chain-of-command should also be put in place that defines each employee's role in the organization.

The policy should include measures to encourage continuous improvement. Updates to the policy need to reflect new priorities. Goal based efforts can promote success. A policy that meshes well with the company culture is more likely to be successful.

Over the past three years, 81 percent of Americans have taken steps to make their homes more energy efficient. Updating the lights in  their homes or businesses can help to reduce energy costs.

Environmental Lights offers a wide selection of LED lighting for homes and companies. LED lights are initially more expensive, but they are worth the investment, as the money you can save by using LED lights outweighs their price. 

Assessing the performance of green initiatives can help businesses evaluate energy use for their company and establish goals for measuring future results. Collecting data helps companies analyze and determine results. The level and scope of the data will vary with different businesses. The data needs to involve all energy sources the business uses to generate on-site. In order to collect the most accurate data, all energy sources must be supported by bills, meter readings and other data use.The size of the building should be taken into account when determining the proper data.

Companies can improve their buildings green performance by installing LED lights. Not only do LED lights provide a more energy efficient form of lighting, they also are an effective investment that last significantly longer than incandescent lights.

EnvironmentalLights.com offers a wide selection of LED lighting for homes and companies. LED lights are initially more expensive, but they are worth the money you can save in the long run.

The Do It Yourself (DIY) Network created a series similar to the hit show Yard Crashers, but it takes place inside. Josh Temple, the host and contractor of House Crashers, hunts for unexpected re-modelers and follows them home to help create the renovations of their dreams.

Temple is confident enough to demolish an entire room and reconstruct it from scratch. In episode "Cleveland Wine Bar Basement," the team focuses their renovation around the laser-cut steel wall panels surrounding the fireplace, lit up from behind with LED strip lighting provided by EnvironmentalLights.com. LED strip lighting was used for the installation because of its flexibility, high brightness and easy installation.

In addition to the wall treatment, the team also installed the same LED strip lights along the coved ceiling to create a space that is bright and inviting for guests. They chose "daylight white" strips, but there are many other color options available, including warm white, red, green, blue, amber and color-changing. EnvironmentalLights.com provides sample kits for testing color in all types of environments.

The LED high intensity strip can be bent easily and transformed to fit around decorative elements, such as etched artwork in wood panels. If you aren't one of Josh Temple's "chosen ones," he isn't necessary for this equipment because installation is simple, and you can do it yourself. The strip comes with a high-adhesion stickyback that allows for the user to peel off the wax paper and stick the strip to a clean, dry surface.

To dim the lights along the ceiling and wall treatment, the House Crashers crew installed a Leviton magnetic dimmer and 240 Watt 12 VDC Dimming Power Supply. This system has been tested and recommended by the Environmental Lights team to ensure the proper voltage is provided for the LEDs and that they are not over exerted due to repeated excess current, which could cause damage to the LEDs and shorten the life of the system.

EnvironmentalLights.com and House Crashers can transform even the dingiest of rooms with their products and creativity.

Outdoor flooring manufacturer, Trex, uses 50 percent recycled plastic and 50 percent reclaimed wood for their products. Most of these products would have ended up in landfills if it weren't for Trex. As a result of the recycled products, the materials have more longevity, with less maintenance.

Marriott hotels are the leader of sustainability efforts in the hospitality industry, reports Business Week. Marriott hotels realize that the beauty of the Earth cannot be taken advantage of and they work hard to practice green efforts throughout all aspects of their business. In 2009 they helped to reduce energy consumption by 5 percent per available room.

Hospitality businesses could follow in the Marriott's sustainable footsteps and work to increase their contribution to the green movement. Implementing LED lighting could drastically lower their carbon footprint.

EnvironmentalLights.com is a leading resource for energy-efficient LED lighting products. The company offers a broad variety of LED light bulbs, LED under cabinet lighting and LED strip lighting, all beneficial for industries looking to go green.

The LED lighting market in India was $73.3 million in 2010 and will continue to grow, according to Frost and Sullivan Research. The reason for the growth is because of short-term drivers, street light applications and the railway sector.

LED lighting is expected to continue to grow in the future and replace traditional lighting technologies, said Frost and Sullivan. LEDs are causing a significant amount of interest in LEED certified buildings in India. Energy Star rating labels are becoming mandatory for lights for indoor commercial and outdoor lighting applications.

The increased demand for sustainable products has created an immediate need for energy efficient products, like LED lights.

EnvironmentalLights.com is one of the leading providers for LED needs, and also sells worldwide. The company has tested and documented information on every LED bulb they sell, and they offer tools for helping to choose compatible systems.

"I strongly believe that LED lighting will become one of the most important technologies of the 21st century. Therefore, we plan to invest about 3.2 million Euros for the year 2012 to create and develop the distribution network," said Ahmet Patan, general manager of Ledison and Patan Ltd.

Patan and Ledison will distribute LED bulbs not only in Turkey but also in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 200 invited guests and members of the Turkish parliament were at the Grand Opening in Koceali, Turkey, where the new sales office will be located. Ledison Patan Ltd. has experience with LED lighting for hotels, hospitals, bridges and street lighting.

LED lighting is popular in businesses, but the LED market is becoming more available to people all over the world, as well as homeowners everywhere. EnvironmentalLights.com offers a wide variety of LED lighting for all types of spaces, and can help to save about 90 percent on electricity costs.

"LED lighting offers both dramatic savings in energy use and maintenance costs, while at the same time, enhances the feeling of safety, security and comfort of people on streets and public spaces, in building and at home," said Harry Verhaar, senior director for energy and climate change at Philips Lighting.

EnvironmentalLights.com is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting products. The company offers a broad variety of LED light bulbs, LED under cabinet lighting and LED strip lighting, all beneficial for homeowners and businesses looking to become more sustainable.

"South Africa has been very proactive in recognizing that investing in energy-efficient and sustainable lighting solutions will reduce consumption and lower public and private costs, while increasing the quality of life," said Verhaar.

"It's amazing what night lighting can do. It can turn a blah landscape into something spectacular, and anyone can do it," said Michael Glassman to HGTV.

Adjustable wall washers directed upwards can cast more dramatic shadows and silhouettes in the garden area. They can also be used to illuminate shrubs, plants and textured wall surfaces.Well lights are another great alternative that can be hidden in the ground but still create similar up-lighting or angled lighting effects.

Before deciding what lighting will best fit in your garden, use flashlights to experiment with effects and areas that may not be as visible during the day. Remember to take your neighbors into consideration with the placement of the lights or change their landscape.

LED lamps could benefit the ambiance of the garden. They will last longer than standard incandescent lamps and provide a variety of effects to highlight your hard work.

EnvironmentalLights.com is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED landscape lighting products.

A number of newer nightclubs use LED lighting, some even call them the "next generation of lighting systems." LED lights are a more energy efficient option, which is great for clubs that keep their lights blaring almost all evening. LED lights also give off very little heat, and as a result, they last longer than halogen bulbs.

EnvironmentalLights.com has a variety of LED lights to choose from. The dimmable super flat LED rope light is a great color-changing option for club environments. This product is also waterproof, perfect for a club atmosphere where people may frequently spill their drinks. Best of all, super flat rope uses wire, not circuit boards, to carry current so you can power up to 20 meters (65.7 feet) in a line. That makes them a great choice for large installations! And when they're used with LED controllers, you can create lighting effects and color mixing you never knew possible.

Customize your lighting effects to maximize the potential for an amazing experience.

LED lighting uses a smaller amount of power consumption and helps to lower energy costs. They have excellent thermal management, so they do not create heat like regular light bulbs. Stage lighting tends to be very hot on performers, with LED lighting this setback could be prevented.

When you need a lot of light (and your luminaire is wide enough for the bulb) use PAR38 bulbs. They offer maximum brightness with outstanding dimming performance, and fit into a standard E26 base. They are a direct replacement for 70 to 80 watt halogen flood lights, and can last up to 20 times longer.

EnvironmentalLights.com is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting products. The company offers a broad variety of LED light bulbs and LED strip lighting, all beneficial for stage areas looking to become more sustainable.

LED technology is becoming much more widespread with many different types of options available. LED bulbs last up to 10 times as long as fluorescent bulbs, and although they may be more expensive initially, they quickly return the investment with the money people can save in electric bills.

LEDs do not have a filament inside the bulb, and as a result, they are not damaged easily like regular incandescent bulbs. They can be bumped or shaken and their solid structure will prevent damage.

The Halco ProLED series is among the best available. The Halco ProLED PAR30 won the prestigious Electrical Construction & Maintenance (EC&M) 2010 Product of the Year Award. High flux (brightness), great color, superb dimming performance and terrific value.

With a 5-year warranty and expected lifetime of 40,000 hours, LED bulbs like the Halco ProLED series not only are long-lasting, but they can reduce energy usage by up to 80% compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.

EnvironmentalLights.com is one of the leading providers for LED needs.

LEED certification verifies that a building, home or community was designed using strategies aimed at optimizing sustainability and green energy. Buildings that are certified cost less to operate and maintain, as well as preserve energy and water. Lease-up rates are higher than conventional building in their markets.

The system was developed by the United States Green Building Council in 2000. A LEED certification is available for every type of building such as, existing buildings, commercial interiors, schools and homes. The system is point based where projects earn LEED points for meeting specific building criteria. The five categories that projects needs to meet are sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.

The lighting at Environmental Lights can help save about 90 percent on electricity cost. The LEED certification can be more attainable thanks to Environmental Lights, a leader in providing energy-efficient lighting for businesses and homes. 

As a result of the increasing demand in California to reduce energy use and curb greenhouse gas emissions, the CCSE developed a comprehensive mobile demonstration unit. The Energy Outreach Trailer promotes a variety of energy saving ideas to consumers and contractors who are interested in the cause. The CCSE promotes their ideals through over 100 events over the year.

A partnership with ROUSH CleanTech, an industry leader in propane autogas technology and Ferrellgas, a propane supplier, began an 18-month mobile exhibit program that highlighted residential energy efficiency and home improvements. The show kicked off on August 26 at a San Diego home, hot tub and landscape show. It was designed to educate and inspire the people of Southern California to learn about and implement energy-saving practices in home efficiency, solar technologies and alternative-fuel transportation. The CCSE Residential Energy Roadshow is under way on an 18-month demonstration at over 100 events through 2012.

"Thanks to generous donations from [our sponsors], hundreds of thousands of Californians will be able to learn about home energy efficiency, solar energy and the products and incentives available to them when visiting the mobile exhibit. This is a prefect example of how multiple clean technologies can work together to demonstrate energy savings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote more sustainable practices," said Irene Stillings, CCSE executive director.

CCSE will take the trailer to community events throughout San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Environmental Lights is a proud supporter of the "whole house" approach to home energy efficiency for homeowners. The focus on complete energy saving systems for houses or buildings, rather than individual elements like air conditioners or windows, helps owners to see major results with their energy use.

Out of the 36 sponsors, Environmental Lights provided the High Brightness Under Cabinet light system in the trailer and dimmable LED strip lights for the accent cove lighting in the top of the trailer. These LED lights are not only easily installed, but they also use minimal power, saving consumers up to 85 percent on electricity costs. Dimming them is easy and inexpensive with power supplies and accessories like an inline touch dimmer used along with a 24 Volt DC Driver to power the system.

Designed and constructed over two years, the Re_home was designed to be a rapid-response solution for a family after a natural disaster. The solar- powered home shows how possible environmentally-aware living can be when brought to the forefront of any community-led recovery program.

The event was held at the National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. View a walkthrough of the Re_home on YouTube at http://youtu.be/_j1usb6hNPc.

The Re_home is based on the principles of sustainability, flexibility and ease of construction. The house includes two modules that can be transported on one trailer for rapid response to disastrous situations. The photovoltaic system, converts cells directly from sunlight into electricity, can be installed on the roof prior to shipment. When the house arrives at its destination, the panels can be lifted to the optimal angle for sun exposure and used immediately.

View pictures of the Re_home at http://www.flickr.com/photos/58744079@N03/.

A large part of the competition was devoted to demonstrating the importance of renewable energy and sustainability innovations. The team decided to install Environmental Lights' LED strip lighting in the flex space and outdoor areas for the Re_home. LED strip lighting is very energy-efficient, bright and easy to install. It played a major factor in helping the team win the Energy Balance contest, scoring 100 out of 100 points for producing minimal amounts of energy, while allowing the home to remain functional.

The team installed RGB Waterproof LED strip lighting along the exterior of the house and along the bottom of the wall to light up the back of the house. The strip lighting was cut into 2 foot sections and joined together with a variety of connectors and accessories and powered by two 60 Watt 12 VDC Waterproof Power Supplies.

The interior of the home utilized warm white dimmable LED strip lighting to create a vibrant, inviting atmosphere. This high brightness ribbon is about 175 percent brighter than traditional LED strip lighting, and consumes only 50 watts per reel (16.4 feet).

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign won two of the 10 contests in the 2011 Solar Decathlon. They earned top honors in the Appliances and Energy Balance contests and placed seventh overall. Each team's house was equipped with a bidirectional utility meter that enabled competition organizers to measure the net energy the homes produced or consumed over the course of the competition. The home is now permanently located on the University's campus in Urbana, IL, where it will be used for education, research and exhibition.

In the episode "Reclaimed Philadelphia Kitchen," the cast of House Crashers traveled to Philadelphia to update a 150-year-old kitchen. Josh and the crew took apart a dividing wall between the kitchen and dining area and remodeled it to include a breakfast bar. The team creatively used reclaimed bowling alley wood to update the countertops and flooring from a historic Philadelphia sound stage and transformed the wood into cabinet shelves and drawers. The old-fashioned kitchen evolved into a contemporary design with recycled and sustainable products - along with some history.

Watch the YouTube video of the episode at http://youtu.be/xBCBv8eH3Bc.

The House Crashers crew used dimmable LED Strip Lights from Environmental Lights to update the kitchen. These sustainable lights accompanied with the recycled cabinet shelving created a bright and vibrant counter space. If you don't happen to be one of the lucky homeowners chosen by Josh and his team, these LED strips could still be easily added to your kitchen. They are easy-to-install with a high-adhesion stickyback. All you need to do is peel off the wax paper and stick it to any clean, dry surface. Give your kitchen a soft glow or a vibrant atmosphere, with dimmable strip lights that come in both warm white and daylight white colors.

Dimming strip lights are easy and inexpensive with power supplies and accessories like the low voltage Leviton Magnetic dimmer used in addition to a 36 Watt 12 VDC Power Supply to power the system. This SureSlide dimmer comes in four colors: white, almond, light almond and ivory. LED Strip Light Connectors were used to connect a power supply to the 2-conductor monochrome LED strip lighting.

Josh and the crew didn't use a diffuser track in this remodel, but it would've been a great addition and given the LED strips a nice finished look. The tracks are easily mountable and available for 8mm and 10mm wide strips. They make the light look softer and cover certain exposed parts of the LEDs. These are especially helpful when installing LED strips over a granite or shiny surface like countertops because they help to prevent reflection.

Interested in doing your own kitchen remodel? Environmental Lights offers sample kits of their products so you can see how the lighting will look in your home before you make a large purchase.

In the episode "Multi-Purpose Office," the House Crashers team decided to help a family with an office that developed into a storage space. The homeowners wanted to make the room more functional for the whole household. The crew replaced the dated tile floor with funky cork flooring. An oversized window was removed and replaced with two smaller windows, and a wall divider that serves as wine bottle storage was built into the existing entryway. Temple and his crew worked to create a desk from salvaged wood to resemble a riddling rack, and they covered the plaster ceiling with decorative tiles. A custom sports memorabilia was the finishing touch on the room. The decorative feature was designed with Environmental Lights High Brightness Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lights for the shelf lighting.

Watch the YouTube video of the episode at http://youtu.be/v3CHkCX66fM.

The House Crashers crew chose Environmental Lights’ under cabinet light bars because of the low profile of the lights. The LED light bars are less than .65 inches thick including the angled mounting clips and can be hidden behind almost any cabinet front or inside closets. Using angle brackets, the light bars can be tilted 45 degrees from horizontal with even more adjustment possible. What's more, the LED light bars use up to 85 percent less electricity than incandescent lights, which saves people money on electric costs.

Dimming the light is easy and inxpensive with power supplies and accessories like the Leviton SureSlide Magnetic Dimmer used in conjunction with 48 Watt 24 Volt DC Dimming Power Supply to give the system power. This dimmer is a favorite because it dims from 0 to 100 percent nicely with no drop out. There is also no low end trim adjustment required.

Environmental Lights is an ongoing sponsor of LED lighting products to House Crashers for their custom installations and home remodels. Environmental Lights is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting products. The company offers a broad variety of LED light bulbs, LED under cabinet lighting and LED strip lighting - all of which are beneficial for homeowners looking to go green.

In the episode "Kitchen Blow-Up," a young couple worked hard to create a kitchen of  their dreams, but it isn't wasn't quite as great as they pictured it'd be. Little do they know they are about to be featured on House Crashers. The kitchen will be updated with new high ceilings, cabinets and countertops, bamboo floors and brand new appliances. A gigantic cupboard with a sliding barn door will also supplement the area. Lastly, the outdoor porch near the kitchen will be a dining area with a custom bamboo slat wall treatment that glows from behind with Environmental Lights’ High Brightness Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lights.

Watch the YouTube video of the episode at http://youtu.be/cxEjCBh9n9s.

LED light bars can be installed a variety of ways using interconnecting joiners and cords, which give you the flexibility to create a complete lighting system. These LED light bars are less than an inch thick, including the quick-mount brackets and screws, so they can be easily hidden under cabinet fronts, inside cabinets - or in this case behind a bamboo slat wall. Angle brackets can also help in customizing your system, and allow you to tilt the bars so you can show the right amount of light for your application.

Electricity bills can rise to seemingly unmanageable prices in the winter months. Fortunately, the LED bars barely use any power so you can save on electricity costs. Dimming them is easy and inexpensive with power supplies and accessories like the 24 V LED Dimmer with Rotary Knob and 150 Watt 24 VDC Power Supply from Environmental Lights.

This easy-to-use dimmer for 24 Volt LED under cabinet lighting utilizes a high frequency pulse dimming to ensure there is no flicker. By dimming the light bars the installers create a soft glow and an atmosphere that was is both warm and inviting to the breakfast nook.

They received first place three out of four years in Scobey. What is their secret for creating these winning winter wonderlands? Every year the Shower's add more lights to their Christmas display.

"I can add more lights to my display now without worrying about the outlets, because LED Christmas lights allow me to link more together with so much less power. The wind blows pretty good here in northeast Montana and my old incandescent lights would come loose and bulbs would break as they hit against the house. Not a worry with my new LEDs!"

This year, they added 30 strings of M5mm Icicle Christmas Light Strings to their home. Christmas has not yet arrived and already they are making plans to expand their light display for next year. They want to add more icicle lights to the garage and another snowman to the growing snowman family. The Showers will continue to spread holiday cheer in Scobey with the help of LED lights.

Environmental Lights' Premium Series of PAR Bulbs were nominated by building and facility executives responsible for the management of commercial, government, educational, retail, medical, hospitality and industrial buildings.

A total of 557 products that appeared in the Building Operating Management Magazine or on FacilitiesNet.com between October 1, 2010 and September, 30 2011 were judged. Readers were asked to select their choices for top products that met the criteria of innovation and usefulness to facility managers. Reader votes concluded that Environmental Lights' PAR Bulbs were a top choice.

The Environmental Lights premium bulb series features Cree XPE-series emitters for high flux and color consistency. The design also includes a proprietary PFC driver, extruded aluminum heat-sink and precise beam control. Bulb choices include PAR20, PAR30 and PAR38 - each have a life-span of 40,000 hours. The demand for these products has been extremely high, and the PAR30 bulb is the only one left in stock. Supplies are limited and these award-winning bulbs are selling fast.

"The results of the Top Products survey reveal that commercial facility managers appreciate the opportunity to celebrate the tools and products that help them run their buildings more efficiently and effectively," said Naomi Millan, senior editor for Building Operating Management.

This bulb series also offers a very high Color Rending Index (CRI 80+), or the measure of how well a light source is able to show the colors of the objects it illuminates. The higher the CRI, the more accurately people see colors in a room that's lit by the bulb.

LEDs are one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly advancing technologies. Environmental Lights offers a fantastic variety of dimmable LED bulbs, including other top-of-the-line PAR20s, PAR30s and PAR38s.

"The Top Products Awards program highlights tried-and-true solutions that have been given the official stamp of approval by industry practitioners," said Millan.

Environmental Lights has tested and documented dimming information on the hundreds of LED bulbs they sell and they offer tools for helping to choose compatible systems.

LED lighting uses about 10 percent of the electricity that incandescent bulbs do, according to the Do It Yourself Network. LEDs also generate very little heat causing the amount of energy they use to be lower as well. They are typically made of lightweight plastic and they are less likely to break than fragile incandescent bulbs.

Environmental Lights is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting products. The company offers a broad variety of LED light bulbs, LED under cabinet lighting and LED strip lighting all beneficial for homeowners looking to reap the benefits of becoming energy efficient.

Sanan is the largest high quality LED manufacturer in China. As a result of Sanan's expansion plan, Air Products is building an additional high purity NH3 plant with the same capacity. The large volumes of NH3 are used to provide the nitrogen source used in the manufacture of LEDs.

"We are pleased to have partnered with Air Products as we rely on its leading technologies and global expertise to provide us ammonia with the purity necessary for high-quality LED production. We hope the long-term partnership can reinforce our leadership in the LED market," said Wei Daman, general manager of Anhui Sanan OptoElectrionics.

LED lighting is popular in businesses, but the LED market is becoming more available to homeowners everywhere. Environmental Lights offers a wide variety of LED lighting for designers, architects and electrical contractors.

If you start from the inside back toward the tip of the branch, you get a more evenly lit tree.

"To get the lighting evenly placed on your tree, step back, squint your eyes to make things blurry and look for dark spots," suggests Barnhardt.

If you want a truly original look that's also friendly to the environment, consider swapping out your old incandescent string lights for LED Christmas lights from Environmental Lights. They offer a wide variety of string lights, including LED 3 Channel Chasing Lights, to make your tree truly sparkle.

AEE is an organization of regional business councils and organizations that collaborate to promote a better business climate for the advanced energy sector. The organization exists to help companies and employees succeed as the world begins to solely use advanced energy.

"A 2:1 ratio of Americans believe that a greater use of energy-saving technologies helps our country by saving money and making our economy more productive and competitive," According to the survey.

Over the past three years, 81 percent of Americans have taken steps to make their homes more energy efficient. Updating the lights in your home can help to reduce energy costs.

Environmental Lights offers a wide selection of LED lighting for homes. LED lights are more expensive initially, but they are worth the money you can save on energy cost in the long run.

Colleges can have populations as large as cities, and they use a large amount of resources. Working together to instill sustainable initiatives can change the traditions people were accustomed to.

Schools like Ithaca College work hard to build their sustainable initiatives. In all three dining halls, a recycling, compost and garbage bin are available. Each dorm room has both paper and plastic recycling bins. The college constructed an educational building meant to encourage sustainability for students. The structural design and other features of the building exude the future of the green initiative.

Universities lead by example, and it's clear that going green is a trend that is here to stay. Environmental Lights offers a wide variety of LED strip light options, that allow for vibrancy and are long-lasting.

Recessed lighting helps to focus light in the kitchen. Improved lighting can make tasks in the kitchen easier to complete. Counter-tops are a surface that could benefit greatly from adequate recessed lighting.

Cabinet lighting also adds a unique feature to a kitchen. It can help to accent the cupboards or draw attention to the design of the cabinets. In addition, this added illumination can make finding what you need a much easier task.

Track lighting allows for each light to be arranged in the position that you desire. New lighting can be aesthetically pleasing and positively impact your electric bill.

Environmental Lights offers a wide variety of LED lighting. The LED under cabinet lighting provides a warm white light that is also energy efficient. Contact Environmental Lights for some of the best energy-efficient lighting and upgrade the light in your kitchen today

They suggest classing up your tree a bit by using ribbon instead of tinsel or garland. Tinsel is messy and can be hazardous to small children and animals, and garland can also be messy and tends to overcrowd the tree.

You may also want to consider ditching your multi-colored mess of lights and ornaments and adopt a new color scheme. HGTV says that copper and teal are the current trend in color-conscious tree trimming.

If you're already switching things up a bit, you may want to take this time to say goodbye to your traditional incandescent lights. Make the switch to longer-lasting, energy efficient LED string lights from Environmental Lights. They use far less electricity and produce less heat, reducing the risk of a Christmas tree fire.

Being conscious of the amount of water you're using can help to save you money. Take shorter and install a faucet aerator on each faucet. This in an inexpensive device that helps to conserve both heat and water.

Unplug any electronics or appliances that are not in constant use. Tests have concluded that appliances left on in standby mode can greatly increase a home's electric bill. One major way to go green in the home is to replace incandescent bulbs with environmentally friendly LED bulbs.

Environmental Lights is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting products. The company offers a broad variety of LED light bulbs, LED under cabinet lighting and LED strip lighting, all beneficial for homeowners looking to go green.

Change the environmental footprint you leave on the Earth by updating your home and electronic appliances. Your commitment to the green initiative could contribute to a better planet.

Environmental Lights has a lot to offer, including icicle string lights and snowfall lights. Choosing LEDs are the perfect choice for your first outdoor lighting display, as they are safer and more energy efficient.

Many people have grand ideas of decorating, but if it's your first time dealing with stringing lights, you may not know where to begin. Remember to always put safety first when dealing with electricity and heights. Don't use nails or tacks to secure the lights. Instead, use insulated holders. Avoid reaching - instead, always use a ladder.

It may seem to go without saying, but be sure to use outdoor lighting, such as Environmental Lights' solar Christmas lights. This option is also safer, as they aren't such an electrical hazard.
 

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree first went green in 2007 by transitioning to LED lighting. The switch from traditional lights to more environmentally friendly choices resulted in a reduced energy consumption of nearly 60 percent, according to Inhabitat. The tree shines with 30,000 environmentally conscious LED lights strung across 5 miles of wire. 

Thousands of people visit the famed Christmas tree to get into the holiday spirit, but they may be able to take more of the experience home with them than they think. LED Christmas lights aren't just feasible for the 74-foot-tree standing tall over Rockefeller Center - they are more available than ever before to homeowners.

Enjoy the sparkle and shine of Christmas LED lights from the courtesy of your own home this season. The lighting at Environmental Lights can help to save about 90 percent on electricity costs. The holidays seem to make everything more expensive, but thanks to Environmental Lights, you can have holiday cheer in your home without paying higher electric bills.  

It started out small, with just a few strings of Christmas lights around his car. Kids seemed to love it, but as he added on, the crowds grew. This year, he decorated his car with about 3,000 LED lights from Environmental Lights.

“Some people ask why I do it, and it’s simply just to get people to smile and at least for a moment not have to think about how busy they are or how rough their day has been,” explained Smith.

This was the first year he chose to use only LEDs from Environmental Lights because of the multiple color and function options offered at their online store. He used their new line of Versaline 3-Channel Lights to connect and control several strings of lights together with a 10-function controller. The lights' functions switch between flashing, chasing, twinkling and more, and he can control the speed and timing, allowing him to create that dancing illusion.

Tim did worry about the voltage, as his car could only handle 12V and the lights put out 24V, so he worked with an expert sales engineer from Environmental Lights. Before Tim came along, the lights had only been tested on a 250 watt inverter by the people at Environmental Lights, so they were a little skeptical when they tested the lights on an 800 watt inverter that he had in his home. Maybe it was Christmas miracle, but low and behold, Tim was able to hook up the lights to the inverter and they worked!

“With LED lights I won't have to worry about the bulbs breaking or the strands going out and trying to find the one bulb that doesn't work,” said Tim. “I'm just trying to get my Christmas Car out to as many people as possible! The more people that can see it and for at least a moment not worry about what is not going well in their life then it is worth the 7 to 8 hours it takes to put the lights together.”

Watch the YouTube Video of the Christmas Car creation at http://youtu.be/kJtwTH8EkH8.

If you're looking to light up your home but don't want to spend an arm and a leg on energy bills, consider using LED lights. They use up to 98 percent less energy than traditional incandescent lights, and they'll last you year after year.

You can choose from a variety of LED light motifs from the leading online seller of LEDs, EnvironmentalLights.com. Adorn your door with a snowflake or dove, or try something more whimsical, like Santa or a reindeer. They even have a Happy Holidays sign. Prices drop if you buy them in bulk, so consider one for each window.

All decorative lights come with a hanging ring for easy installation. Just use suction cup hooks or ties, both available at Environmental Lights. 

In a town with so much natural beauty, many residents and business owners put particular emphasis on eco-friendly practices. Betsy and Paul are no different. This year, they took their environmental initiatives one step further and decorated the The Elizabeth Rose House with solar powered LED lights from Environmental Lights. Like the Antonellis, you may be wondering how solar power lights would hold up in a snowy location such as Maine. They have been pleasantly surprised that snow and gloomy weather have not affected the power of these lights.

Many may think of Kennebunk as a summer destination, but it's the perfect destination to get away for a weekend in a winter wonderland, especially around Christmas. Just a 30 minute drive in either direction to downtown Portland and the Kittery Outlets, and about 45 minutes to the Freeport Outlets, Kennebunk is the perfect place to go to get your holiday shopping done.

Prices in the area are much more affordable in the winter than in the summer months, and Kennebunk has enough permanent residents that many of its establishments are open year-round.

The beautiful lighting display is sure to catch the eyes of visitors, and maybe even draw a few aimless travelers in search of a place to spend the night. If you don't already have reservations, make them fast. You don't want to miss a chance to stay in this gorgeous winter wonderland.  

The event, which is one of the largest Holiday celebrations in America, took place in Balboa Park on Friday, December 2nd, from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, December 3rd, from noon to 10 p.m.

Area museums opened their doors free of charge, and other festival highlights included multicultural food and entertainment. Performance groups, such as San Diego Junior Theatre and San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, were met with rave reviews.

The California center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) is a non-profit organization that spreads awareness for a clean energy future. Environmental Lights was thrilled to pitch in, and provided the lighting for CCSE's Energy Outreach trailer. They even raffled off solar Christmas lights to 20 lucky attendees.

An estimated 600,000 people attended and the event was a big success. If you were fortunate enough to attend the event and want to learn more about energy efficient lighting options, visit the Environmental Lights website and see how you and your family can go green this Holiday season.  

Online retailers have been met with more good news, as sales in the past week were up 15 percent over the same time last year, according to comScore.

"Cyber Monday kicked the week off with a bang as consumers opened their wallets to the tune of $1.25 billion, but it was only the beginning of a very strong week of online holiday spending," explained Gian Fulgoni, chairman of comScore. "As the deals from this week expire, it will be important to see the degree to which consumers return to the same retailers to continue their holiday shopping."

Sales are booming for all holiday goods, not just presents. E-commerce sites selling or specializing in Christmas decorations, such as Environmental Lights, have also seen the increase in sales. Experts believe the improvement in internet sales is due in part to better marketing and SEO strategies. Social media sites, particularly Facebook, have also played a large role in the increase in online holiday sales.

Like everything Gaga does, this holiday celebration is far from traditional. Instead of a jolly workshop of just Santa and his elves, you'll find a crazy fun house of the likes of Tim Burton and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. One of the most memorable of the four windows displays is a bedroom scene made entirely out of hair.

Throughout the store, shoppers will find Gaga-inspired presents for the fashion-forward on their Christmas lists. Best of all, Barney's New York, which has always been known for its eco-friendly efforts, turned to Environmental Lights for the display's many LED lights. The special lighting gives window shoppers a special treat for the eyes in both the Crystal Cave and Gaga Machine windows. 

LED light bulbs produce 75 percent less heat, according to Energy Star, so the minimal effects older incandescent bulbs had on the temperature control of a home won't be as much of an issue. Furthermore, they cost lesst to illuminate, $40 less over the lifespan of a bulb, reports the source.

Switching to LED bulbs is a life-changing experience. It saves a family money long term, but it also positively impacts the environment. As the world transitions to an eco-friendly society, wouldn't it be nice to give a little back, too? LED lights are an easy way to employ some green practices in your home. It has never been so easy to save money and create a sustainable environment all at once. Take the leap into energy efficiency by purchasing LED light bulbs from Environmental Lights, today.

These special holiday window displays are collectively called Gaga's Workshop, and according to Dennis Freedman, the creative director of Barneys New York, the window displays were truly representative of the unique pop star's style.

"Her touch, her vision is on every single thing we've done," Freedman told CBS News. Some of the standout displays were Gaga's Boudoir, which was made entirely of wig hair, and Crystal Cave, which features a Gaga mermaid statue.

The Crystal Cave window was made possible (and eco-friendly) with LED Strip Lighting from Environmental Lights. The cave is made up of stalagmites and stalactites that light up, an effect that could not be achieved with ordinary LED lights.

The Gaga Machine has proven to be a favorite of window shoppers. It shows Lady Gaga morphing from human form to a gilded motorcycle. Strobe lights, made from Premium LED Under Cabinet Lights from Environmental Lights, make this display really pop. 

When watching a movie, sometimes complete darkness isn't ideal, but neither is the harsh beams that come from incandescent bulbs. The yellow streams of light come crashing down, casting glares on the screen and ruining the experience. Families can eliminate this disaster by purchasing an LED dimmer to illuminate their living spaces.

Families can use a variety of lighting displays from Environment lights to create drama and action during a movie night. They can dim the space to complement the movie experience by using LED bulbs in a light rail. Furthermore, LED light bulbs require about 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, which can help a family save money.

Families who want to improve movie night while saving in energy costs can do so by purchasing LED lights from Environmental Lights.

Many people criticize light emitting diodes (LEDs) for not being bright enough or being too expensive, but these eco-friendly bulbs have come a long way, and are now top contenders to be the number one lighting choice among Americans. In fact, they're currently just as bright as CFLs, already last years longer, save more energy and are rapidly approaching the same affordable price as CFLs.

If you want an energy efficient option that offers all the same benefits as CFLs plus added safety, make the switch to LEDs. Environmental Lights offers a variety of LED lighting options for all our needs, from interior decorating to outdoor lights.
 

Purchasing LED pool lights and handrail lights can help prevent accidents before they occur. Environmental Lights has an expansive library of displays, all using LED light bulbs over traditional incandescent bulbs. If you're looking for an energy-efficient alternative lighting system, then you may find what you're looking for from Environmental Lights.

In every backyard entertainment center there are pitfalls that fail to get the proper lighting. In order to protect your guests and loved ones, it may be in your best interest to discover what Environmental Lights can do to illuminate your backyard. Beyond providing a safe place to entertain, LED light bulbs can save you money down the line.

When it comes to designing the perfect party house, sometimes safety is the best measurement of them all. Consider where there are places in need of improvement for your home by looking at the extensive lighting library provided by Environmental Lights.
 

"We developed the Versaline 3-Channel Chasing Light System in response to heavy demand for multi-channel chasing Christmas lights," said Greg Thorson, co-founder and president of EnvironmentalLights.com. "We're excited to introduce the new line to EnvironmentalLights.com customers and give them new high-quality and energy-saving options to enhance their holiday decorations."

The Versaline LED Christmas Light System allows you to connect a variety of light strings, icicle strings, crab lights and net lights into a stunning display of flashing lights when used with the controllers – an 8 function and a 10 function version. The 10 function controller, for example, allows the user to be able to control up to 4,800 LED bulbs in one run – that could be anywhere from 16 to 166 strings, depending on type.

Also new for 2011, Environmental Lights now offers a line of Solar LED Christmas lights for the ultimate energy-saving experience. Each set of lights includes the solar panel, rechargeable battery and stakes needed to set up self-powered lighting displays. The lights can be set to automatically come on at sunset and turn off at sunrise, or by timer settings.

Both of these new product lines are lead-free and RoHS-compliant. EnvironmentalLights.com thoroughly tests its products to ensure quality, enhanced functionality and ease of installation. The company's technical sales force also provides live technical guidance and advice seven days a week during the holiday season.

For more information on energy-efficient LED lighting solutions or to request a product catalog, visit the EnvironmentalLights.com website or call (888) 880-1880.

About Environmental Lights
EnvironmentalLights.com is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting products to meet the needs of business, commercial and residential clients. Founded in 2006 by founders Greg and Anne Thorson, the company offers a broad spectrum of LED light bulbs, LED strip lighting, LED under cabinet lighting, LED Christmas lights, dimmers, controls and necessary hardware for any lighting project. For more information, please visit www.EnvironmentalLights.com.

The contraption, which is made up of two LED lights that are inserted into the nostrils, allegedly alleviates a congestion by increasing blood flow in the vessels in the nostrils. Products like this have actually been around for several years now, with conflicting evidence and research for their efficacy. Those suffering from chronic hayfever may want to try such a device out for themselves.

LEDs have come a long way in recent years. Once only used as those dim red lights for electronics, they are now the top contender to replace incandescent lights as a quest toward a more energy efficient world continues. Have your doubts? See for yourself. Start by switching out just one light bulb in your home with an LED from Environmental Lights - you'll quickly discover the many benefits of LED lights.

A recent survey of over 700 readers of Electrical Contractor magazine showed that most contractors recognize that LEDs will likely replace incandescent and fluorescent lamps by the Fall of 2011. About 97 percent of those surveyed said they installed indoor and outdoor fixtures, and 95 percent indicated they work with lamps. That means that contractors beliefs regarding LEDs are important for tracking the likelihood of success for these energy-efficient bulbs.

“The more we educate [electrical contractors] on the technology and opportunities in the multi-billion dollar LED market that’s growing more than 30 percent per year, the greater value they bring to their customers," explained the magazine's publisher, John Maisel.

With the new laws banning the manufacturing of incandescent bulbs, installation of LEDs is becoming increasingly common for contractors. Modernize your home with quality, energy-efficient LEDs from Environmental Lights.

Small businesses all over the country are excited about this special opportunity to boost business during the holiday season, and shoppers should be just as excited. Shopping at small businesses gives consumers the opportunity to get one-of-a-kind merchandise from vendors who really care.

Any person who uses a registered American Express card on Small Business Saturday at a small business will receive a one-time $25 statement credit from American Express. Ecommerce sites, like EnvironmentalLights.com are also eligible. 

November 26th is the perfect day to hop online and order your last minute Christmas decorations from Environmental Lights. This year, ditch your boring, incandescent string lights for LED Christmas lights that have exciting effects. Save on your Christmas decorations with Environmental Lights and American Express.  

It's no secret to those in the entertainment industry that LED lighting offers the best effects for designing an innovative light show. DJs love that LEDs let off less heat too, so patrons can dance the night away without hot lights shining down on them. Nightclub owners jump at the chance to use LEDs because they lower the fire risk and energy bills.

Most importantly, LED lights offer spectacular waterfall, blinking and other effects that are unparallelled with incandescent lights. Don't let your club get behind the times. Visit EnvironmentalLights.com to outfit your establishment with a variety of affordable and exciting LED lighting options.

With new efficiency laws coming into effect this year, many top lighting stores are moving away from incandescent lights and into the future with CFLs and LEDs. However, many consumers are concerned that the lighting quality isn't as desireable as it is with their familiar incandescents. Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan spoke to top lighting designer Clifford Starr to find out the truth.

Starr said that LEDs and CFLs offer the same warm lighting options that incandescents do. He claims to have many CFLs in his house, and he's moving into LEDs as their quality is improving.

"[LEDs are] getting better, getting brighter and the color rendering is great," Starr told Gillingham-Ryan, stating that these days you can do almost anything with them that you can do with incandescents.

In fact, you can do even more with LED lights. While it's true that LEDs haven't always been the favored option for home lighting, they have been a top choice among lighting designers for major events because of their technological capabilities.

The technology for LED lights is improving rapidly, so get behind the trend by brightening up your home with LED lights.  

The dance floor was designed with Environmental Lights’ color-changing RGB LED Strip Lights in 4'x4' sections with 4 – 1 foot strip light segments per section, for a total of 120 – 1 foot segments. Sound Mind Events uses sophisticated DMX technology to control their lighting. LEDs require analog signals and Environmental Lights' 24 channel DMX Decoder not only allowed them to convert the signal, but also provided the capability to control each grid independently – making for some very exciting effects on the floor.

Sound Mind Events reported that the sticky-back on the RGB LED Strip Lights made it very quick and easy to install. They loved that the strips are also cuttable in segments of 3 LEDs on a 3.94-inch-long strip, allowing for them to create the custom sizes they need.

Lighting designs for big events require a lot of energy, and anyone who's ever performed knows those stage lights get very hot. LED strip lights have the unique ability to stay cool even after hours of use, and even though only a small amount of power is required the lights are bright and able to perform amazing effects.

As a leader in the industry, Sound Mind Events has been using LED lights for years. Incandescent lights simply don't have the capabilities that LEDs have for the incredible special effects required in today's entertainment industry. An increasing number of businesses and designers are following the lead of companies like Sound Mind Events and switching over to impressive state-of-the-art technology for LED light shows.
 

One way you can protect your family this holiday season is with lead free Christmas lights. Incandescent string lights are often made with lead, which can be harmful for children who are exposed.

"There is no level at which lead exposure is safe," Dr. Trasande, a specialist in children's environmental health at New York's Mount Sinai School of Medicine, told CNN in a 2007 interview. "Even at one microgram/deciliter -- the lowest level in a person's blood stream that we can detect -- that level has been associated with cognitive impairment in children."

Dr. Trasande recommends skipping lights altogether to avoid exposing your children to lead. If you don't want to ditch your string lights, go lead-free with Environmental Lights lead free Christmas lights.

On the back end, Lightmaker enhanced the order management system for processing customer requests. This has allowed Environmental Lights to efficiently manage and distribute orders throughout the world from their headquarters office and warehouse in San Diego and satellite warehouses in the United States.

The Interactive Media Awards honors individuals and organizations who display exceptional work in the design, development, management and promotion of websites. The Best in Class Award is the highest honor given in each category. It is based on a number of criteria - design, content, feature functionality, usability and standards compliance and cross-browser compatibility.

Judging is done on a points-based scoring system. Each entry can receive a maximum of 500 points, and in order to be named the Best in Class, a website must have a perfect or near-perfect score in all of these areas - the total score must be between 480 and 500 points to qualify.

Environmental Lights was one of 93 submissions in the category of Natural Environment/Green category for the 2011 year. For this category, Environmental Lights received a 94 for design, 93 for content, 100 for feature functionality, 99 for usability and 94 for standards compliance and cross-browser compatibility, for a total score of 480.

For the Energy category, they were one of 70 entries for 2011. They received an overall score of 489, receiving 98 for design, 98 for content, 99 for feature functionality, 99 for usability and 95 for standards compliance and cross-browser compatibility.

For more information on energy-efficient LED lighting solutions, visit the award-winning EnvironmentalLights.com website or call (888) 880-1880.

About Environmental Lights
EnvironmentalLights.com is a leading resource for sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting products to meet the needs of business, commercial and residential clients. Founded in 2006 by founders Greg and Anne Thorson, the company offers a broad spectrum of LED light bulbs, LED strip lighting, LED under cabinet lighting, LED Christmas lights, dimmers, controls and necessary hardware for any lighting project. For more information, please visit www.EnvironmentalLights.com.

About Lightmaker
Lightmaker is an independent, global digital agency founded in 1997 whose mission is to drive ROI by helping brands engage and entertain their users online. Lightmaker USA’s headquarters in Orlando opened in 2004 and has served over 100 clients in a variety of markets including Sports, Entertainment, Publications, eCommerce and Personalities. Lightmaker is an experience-led group with a global perspective that exists to help its clients engage and entertain their users in the social-digital age. For more information, please visit www.Lightmaker.com.

The best practice for hanging lights is to start high and work your way down. Be certain you have enough extension chords and avoid running lights or chords on the ground to eliminate the risk of tripping.

To avoid a fire hazard and keep your energy bill down, choose LED lighting over traditional incandescent bulbs. Incandescent string lights can get very hot, which may lead to a fire or other hazards. Either way, be careful how many lights you plug in to each outlet. Always follow directions and never overdo it to save time or space - misuse of electrical decorations is another common cause of holiday fires.

At Environmental Lights you can find everything you need to light your home efficiently and safely. 

Each year you don't mind throwing away a set of incandescent lights because you know how inexpensive they are, but what if you didn't have to plug in each light to see which was the broken bulb? You'd save yourself some time to make your tree perfect. Also, in the long run you end up saving a lot of money in energy costs.

LED string lights come in a variety of shapes and colors, so you can decorate your tree creatively while still helping the environment. They also don't get nearly as hot as incandescent bulbs, so you reduce your risk of a Christmas tree fire. If you're thinking of making the switch to energy-efficient Christmas lighting, visit the Environmental Lights website for all your holiday decorating needs.

Did you know that if you leave a cellphone or computer charger plugged in, even if computer or cellphone isn't being charged, electricity is being used. It's a complete waste of energy that most people are guilty of from time to time. Always unplug chargers, and don't keep your computer running all day.

Turning your refrigerator or freezer to the necessary temperature can cut down on energy costs. Many don't think to check the temperature, and assume it's at the right place. A refrigerator should be set between 36 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

By switching just one incandescent bulb for an LED one, consumers can save quite a bit of energy. Slowly make the switch so that soon, your whole house will be lit for less energy. It's worth the initial cost for the amount you'll save on your energy bills.
 

Several traditions during the gift-giving season are just plain wasteful. Greeting cards, for example, are nice to get, but they waste a lot of paper, and who really has time to write out hundreds of Christmas cards. Consider switching to an email blast instead. Same goes for wrapping paper - it's a waste of time, money and paper. If you feel you must wrap your presents, cover them in paper made from 100 percent recycled materials, or wrap them in newspapers, magazine pages or paper bags.

One of the biggest energy drains of the holiday season is decorating. Holiday lights use a lot of energy, and can often be unsafe. Consider changing your incandescent bulbs for eco-friendly LED Christmas light bulbs, available in a variety of shapes and colors at Environmental Lights.

Installing a programmable thermostat will help you keep you heating bill at a steady rate. Consider bringing the heat down at night and using an extra blanket to stay warm instead.

Check your secure ducts and cracks, otherwise you're just throwing money and energy out the window. That said, consider getting an estimate on energy saving windows. They may be expensive to install, but they will keep your home warm and your heating bill down.

Switch your old incandescent bulbs for eco-friendly LED lighting from Environmental Lights. This is your best bet for keeping your home well lit for the least amount of energy. Visit the Environmental Lights website and see how you can save before winter truly sets in.

Using LED lighting for major shows like this isn't just a way of reducing Hollywood's carbon footprint, it's beneficial to everyone on the set. LED lights don't get as hot as conventional stage lighting, making them less of a fire hazard and a more pleasant working environment.

"LED lighting has revolutionized the look of the set," Kieran Healy, the Emmy Award-winner designer for American Idol, told TVTechnology. "While the 'moving light' was a significant revolution, LED lighting is a very significant new revolution."

LED lights add beautiful effects that incandescent lights aren't capable of, and they reduce the extreme amount of energy it takes to run these shows. Take a lesson from your favorite shows and start switching your bulbs to LED lights, available at Environmental Lights.

It's understandable that you don't want a bright, fluorescent-like light on while you're reading in your bed before you go to sleep. However, if you have a home office, you'll want to keep it as bright as possible to save your eyes from getting too tired while you work all day.

Environmental Lights can help you change the lighting in your entire home - indoors and outdoors - from wasteful incandescent bulbs to energy-saving LED light bulbs. Don't wait until it's too late. Let Environmental Lights help you do your part.
 

If this is your first year hanging Christmas lights outside, start slow. Some of the best places to hang lights are along your roof line, on top of bushes and around pillars and lamp posts. If you have something in your yard you want to highlight, you can use LED Christmas lights to frame it.

Outdoor string lights are excellent for decorating a Christmas tree in your yard. If you have a large pine tree, decorate it with string lights or snowfall light tubes from Environmental Lights. It is a beautiful way to highlight such a tremendous tree.

Be sure to measure everything before you order the lights so you can save money and time. You don't want the neighbors to show you up if you only have half a tree or part of your yard lit. 

They were originally used for electronics - think of those red lights that display the time on your cable box. The type of LED used for electronics is called a low-powered LED. Anything used to draw attention to something by light, such as the power button or the light in your remote is a low-powered LED.

Today, however, LEDs are made in all different colors, including white light, and are becoming increasingly popular as an energy-efficient solution to incandescent lights. These high-powered LEDs are used to illuminate a whole area or room. They can be used for a variety of lighting options, including flashlights, household bulbs and decorative lighting.

If you're considering making the switch to more cost- and energy-effective lighting, visit the Environmental Lights website, where you can purchase all sorts of lighting options, from decorative lights to lights for under your cabinet. Go green with Environmental Lights.
 

It may seem like common sense, but make sure you have a ladder that's tall enough for the projects you'll be doing. If you're only decorating bushes and small trees, a step ladder may suffice, but if you're planning on decorating the roof as well, be prepared with a tall enough ladder.

You'll also need outdoor extension cords, specialty hooks and clamps, basic tools and some working gloves. To stay energy efficient, be sure to use LED Christmas lights instead of the wasteful, and sometimes dangerous incandescent lights. Because it takes so much energy to light an incandescent bulb, they get much hotter than LED lights, making them a fire risk during the holidays. Instead, purchase eco-friendly Christmas lights online at the Environmental Lights website. 

It's true that there are a lot of wasteful things about the holidays, and elaborate light displays are some of them. However, you can show the neighborhood that you and your family are in the Christmas spirit without threatening the environment - or your bank account.

LED lights are an excellent way to green up a white Christmas. Many people don't consider LED lighting as an option because when they think of LED lights they imagine harsh, bright and practical lighting. Go onto the Environmental Lights website and see how untrue that is. Environmental Lights offers a wide variety of bright Christmas Lights that your family will love, and you'll enjoy them even more when your energy bill comes in.

Go out Christmas shopping with a buddy or if you live in a major city, stick to public transportation. There are far too many cars on the road during peak holiday-shopping season. Help decongest the roads a bit.

When you shop, avoid products with extra packaging. If you're doing an entire day of shopping at the mall, try to keep everything in one bag instead of getting a new one at every store. If they ask if you want it boxed and wrapped, decline, and do it yourself at home with recycled newspaper and magazines.

While shopping for decorations, choose energy efficient options like LED lighting instead of incandescent lighting, and keep all electronic decorations on a timer to avoid overuse.  

One way to keep the holiday green is by shopping for local organic ingredients whenever possible. Most don't want to give up the turkey - after all, it wouldn't be turkey day without the famous bird. Keep some of your favorite holiday foods but swap a few for vegetarian dishes if possible. 

Whether you choose to go vegetarian or not, be mindful of portion size. Americans generally prepare much more food than is necessary each Thanksgiving. Plan carefully so you only prepare enough for the meal and maybe one or two days of leftovers.

One of the best things you can do to help save the planet is switch out your incandescent lights for LED lighting. Environmental Lights offers a wide variety of LED bulbs for indoor, outdoor and decorative needs. So this Thanksgiving, show Mother Earth how thankful you are with Environmental Lights.  

Let the end of daylight saving time inspire you and your family to take a leap into the modern age with eco-friendly lighting options from Environmental Lights. Over the span of their lives, LED lights are far more energy- and cost-efficient than their competitors.

If saving money and the environment aren't enough, there's another reason why you should consider switching your incandescent to LED bulbs. Starting the first of the year, the manufacturing of incandescent lights will be gradually banned throughout the United States. If fact, California's already started implementing these new laws.

Keep your house bright and energy efficient with LED lighting from Environmental Lights.

The very public failure and bankruptcy of the start-up solar energy company, Solyndra, gave birth to several headlines foretelling the death of solar power, however, there are many other things to consider, and smart consumers will see past what is essentially yellow journalism and look for the truth.

Solyndra had a good idea but a bad business model. Their bankruptcy isn't the result of a lack of need for renewable energy. The reason the Obama administration had considered a bailout for the company was in response to the known need for clean energy.

Consumers who are hopeful for the future of solar power and other clean energy should keep in mind that many of the headlines circulating are the result of the ongoing battle between House Republicans and Democrats. What's important to remember is how many strides the country has made in the right direction, such as the incandescent light bulb ban.

Slowly but surely, the U.S. is moving toward a clean, sustainable future. Solar energy, LED lighting and hybrid cars shouldn't be going away anytime soon, and it's up to conscientious consumers to make sure of that.

Americans need to demand clean energy and take advantage of opportunities when they arise - this means smarter, forward-thinking shopping. For example, a single LED light bulb has a higher upfront cost than other similar products, however, the energy saved and lifespan of the bulb will save consumers immensely in the long run. While an incandescent light bulb lasts a few months, an LED bulb lasts about 12 years and uses a small fraction of the energy.

Don't let the headlines discourage you from trying to reduce your carbon footprint. Choose solar power when it's available and use energy-efficient appliances wherever you can. Just think - if every American swapped one incandescent bulb for an LED bulb, it would save enough energy to light over 3 million homes for the next year. Try to ignore the politics and do your part to save the planet.

Environmental Lights makes it easy to light up any car, boat, truck or float with a simple inverter that can be used to plug in Christmas lights. It plugs right into the cigarette lighter to convert the DC current in your car or truck to AC current, enabling you to plug in anything from lights to household appliances while driving. The inverter provides 75 watts of continuous power output: that's enough for 15 4.8-watt 70-LED holiday light strings (1,050 LED lights)!

For an even brighter display, try the Buck Boost Converter. This adapter is strong enough for color-changing strips and intricate lighting designs, so it won't damage your lights or other electronic devices. Wow your community and make all the other floats green with envy with help from Environmental Lights. 

Many Americans are still skeptical, as LED bulbs can cost more than $30, which is a far cry from the average $.50 incandescent bulb. However, consumers should keep in mind that the energy it takes to light an incandescent bulb is far more expensive than an LED light bulb.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if every home in America switched out one incandescent bulb with an LED bulb, it would be the environmental equivalent of taking 800,000 cars off the road and would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year.

So what should consumers be looking for? Lighting facts are often available on packages now, and soon they will be required, the same way nutrition facts are now required. Labels will include information on brightness, average annual energy costs, the average lifespan of the bulb and the color and appearance of the light emitted from the bulb. 

It seems that most Americans do recognize that the country needs to move in a greener direction, however many remain uninformed about exactly what the nation is doing to make that happen. Though three out of four Americans know about the incandescent light bulb ban, studies show that only about 46 percent know the details behind the mandatory phasing out of incandescent bulbs.

Americans who were polled stated the most important reasons for energy-efficient options to be environmental protection, with 91 percent of those surveyed considered it a priority. Ninety-seven percent got behind cost-effectiveness as another crucial motivation and said that it was a good reason to pass laws banning incandescent bulbs. 

Environmental Lights may have your answer. Consider decorating your house with LED motif lighting and silhouettes. Use a simple suction cup and hook to have your windows exclaim your season's greetings to the world. Made out of high quality, weatherproof rope light stretched over a metal frame, these lights can help even those with no time to decorate have a festive and colorful home. Styles include jolly santas, angels, stars, holly and even words proclaiming "Merry Christmas" to all.

For those who wish to avoid Christmas associations, but still wish to have festive lighting celebrating the season, there are also more neutral designs, such as a "Happy Holidays" design and a wide range of white and blue snowflakes.
 

Even without the snow, Environmental Lights' LED Christmas lights are sure to put you in the mood. The LED lights come in a variety of shapes and colors. One of the most popular is a white light in a small snowflake shaped bulb. These LED light strings last much longer than average strings of lights, and because they're LED, they're more environmentally friendly, using far less power to provide equal or better light.

Still, if you're set on snow, Environmental Lights can help with that too. The LED nets can be set on timers to flicker in set patterns, making the lights twinkle as they chase each other down the net. This has the effect of simulating snowfall in the dark. Also consider stringing up some LED icicle lights for the full effect of winter, even if your weather never dips below 75 degrees.

No matter what your reason, decorating your car can occasionally be a difficult task. After all, you have to figure out a way to get the lights to stick to the car without being in the way of doors or windows. If you're planning to drive it, you also need to get a series of adapters to make sure the lights can actually turn on. Besides that, there's always the worry that the lights could become undone and fall off the car, never to be seen again, or dragged behind the car, effectively destroying them anyway.

Environmental Lights has a solution - an LED string light made specifically for use in a car, with a car adapter for a power cord, and a string of lights designed to withstand the weather and movement being part of a car would require. If you're in the festive mood, and your car is the last thing on your list, you can now cross it off.
 

For example, a 40-watt incandescent light bulb produces 450 lumens, while an 8-watt LED bulb produces 470 lumens. It's important to think in terms of lumens when shopping around for lighting. Everyone wants to be more eco-friendly, but some still shy away because of the initial price tag. People say it's an investment and it pays for itself in just a few months, however, many shudder at a $23-a-bulb price tag.

Think of how expensive your energy bill is. Then consider that the LED light bulb you are about to buy is over 5 times more efficient than that traditional bulb. Then consider that you'll be replacing that incandescent bulb within months, and that the LED bulb will last you about 12 years. If you really want to save, LED lights are the clear choice.

In fact, LED lighting is so advanced, it's been made to mimic the same color options you have with incandescents at a fraction of the energy expenditure. You can choose warm or soft whites to recreate the look you're used to with typical incandescent bulbs, or a cool bright light that is perfect for your office or kitchen space. Have a favorite reading chair? Keep the lamp next to it lit with a bulb that produces natural daylight.

Environmental Lights has all the lighting options you need to green up your entire house. Whether you want to light the kids' bedrooms, your walk-in closet or you just need a new reading lamp, Environmental Lights has something to offer.
 

Since he began this tradition in 2008 with Michael Jackson's "Thriller," the house has attracted visitors from all over. Kevin, who declined to give his last name, told CNN New York that one girl knocked on his door at midnight asking for him to turn on the lights for a late-night showing. He respectfully declined.

His house attracts about 300 nightly viewers. Neighbors don't seem to mind yet, but some told the news source they were concerned it would get too popular.

It's a good thing Kevin is using LED Halloween lights, as they are 85 percent more energy-efficient than incandescent lights (where 90 percent of the energy is used to make heat and 10 percent is used to make light). Visit the Environmental Lights website and see how you can start your own holiday light show with LED lights.

Though 100-watt bulbs may still be left on the shelves, the manufacture of these lights will be banned starting this January, followed by 75-watt bulbs the following year and so on until incandescent bulbs are a thing of the past. Understand your options before running to the store to buy new bulbs.

There are many products that are more energy-efficient than incandescent light bulbs (1,000 hour lifespan). A CBS Los Angeles news report in early 2011 explained the difference between energy-saving bulbs. Halogen lights are about 30 percent more energy-efficient, with a lifespan of about 4,000 hours. CFL lights may last up to 10,000 hours on average, about 10 times the lifespan of incandescent bulbs.

Although the most expensive upfront cost belongs to LED lights, they can last up to 50,000 hours or about 25 times the lifespan of an incandescent bulb, making them by far the most cost-effective and energy-efficient bulb. To compare, an incandescent bulb that uses 60 watts produces the same amount of light as an LED light that only uses 12 watts. Choosing just one LED light over a 60-watt light bulb will save you $150 over its lifespan on your energy bill alone. Visit the Environmental Lights website and see how you can save with LED lighting.

All you need to do is make sure you order the correct bulb type so it fits into the base correctly. Typically C7 bulbs are in E12 bases and C9 bulbs are in E17 bases. Choose from a variety of colors and shapes to replace your bulbs - all the information is available on the Environmental Lights website.

Christmas trees may look innocent, but they can be a danger to your home. If left too close to a fire, or if an incandescent light gets hot enough, it won't be long before it's up in flames. Luckily, LED Christmas lights don't pose the same risk. It's silly not to replace your incandescent lights, as LED lights are just as bright and are much more energy efficient. Have the greenest tree in the neighborhood with help from Environmental Lights. 

Their Snowfall Light Tubes create a beautiful illusion of snowfall when placed in trees, and they are safe for indoor and outdoor use. Adorn the trees in your yard with warm or pure white LED lights that are available in 36-inch, 24-inch or 12-inch tubes. For a more colorful effect, you can choose red or blue tubes in the 24-inch option.

These special LED lights will add sparkle to any holiday scene, and best of all, they are easy to install. All you need is a power chord that can connect to 120 volts AC to link up to 30 tubes so you can mix and match colors and sizes.

Outshine your neighbors and make your outdoor holiday scene spectacular with Snowfall Light Tubes from Environmental Lights.