26/04/2023
Q: How much do you save by using LED fixtures and string lights over old incandescent-type fixtures?
A: The amount of money saved when using LED landscape lights over regular incandescent lamps will depend on several factors such as the wattage of the bulbs, the number of hours the lights are used, the cost of electricity in your area, and the initial cost of the LED lights compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. LED landscape lights use significantly less electricity than incandescent lamps. On average, an LED bulb uses 80% less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light. Therefore, you will save money on your electricity bill when using LED landscape lights. Additionally, LED lights have a much longer lifespan compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. While an incandescent bulb may last for about 1,000 hours, LED bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours, meaning you will not have to replace them as often.
Overall, it is estimated that using LED landscape lights can save you up to 80% on your lighting costs over time. However, it is essential to consider the initial cost of purchasing LED lights, which can be higher than traditional incandescent bulbs. But since LED lights last longer, the cost of replacing them over time is lower.
A: What is the actual percentage saved per year when using LED over incandescent lamps?
A: The actual percentage saved per year when using LED over incandescent lamps depends on several factors such as the wattage and usage of the bulbs, as well as the local cost of electricity. However, on average, LED bulbs use around 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs, which translates to significant cost savings over time.
For example, if you replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb with a 9-watt LED bulb and use it for an average of 3 hours per day, you can save around $7 per year in electricity costs (assuming an electricity rate of $0.12/kWh). This represents a savings of about 85% compared to the cost of using the incandescent bulb. Overall, the exact percentage saved per year will depend on the specific circumstances and usage patterns, but LED bulbs are generally much more energy-efficient and cost-effective than incandescent bulbs.
Q: Are there any permits or regulations regarding installing Cafe type light systems?
A: The only permit that would be needed would be if you needed to install underground electrical. For the most part, we use the existing house receptacle or at the most just extend power from the existing one to a new one up under the eaves so that it's closer to the light strands cord. Also, If you live in an HOA community, they may have rules in regard to string lights.
Q: How much does a cafe light system cost?
A: So that depends on many different variables such as what you have that exists that we can connect to such as the house, wood structures on the yard, and how detailed you want it to look when complete. In most cases, I would recommend clean long-lasting custom poles and house anchors, instead of the cheaper route of using 2x4 fence post extensions or a lag eye-bolt screwed into your home siding as well as the height that you want, thickness of stainless steel hanging cable used and if you want additional light strand cable connection points to the steel cable to reduce droop in the LED string light cable.
If you have all existing connection points and an eave mounted receptacle near where you are wanting the lights you can have a 100 light system similar to any of the ones that are underneath a wood structure as seen in a few of my photos or if you have a courtyard situation where you have house surrounding the courtyard. Your property and of course not your neighbor's wall. We can just go from wall to wall for approx. $1500.
Q: Can I get a free estimate?
A: Absolutely! I can provide you with an estimate within 48 hours of you texting me or emailing me a video of the area in which you would like this work done showing me the existing walls, fencing, and where the power supply would be that we would be grabbing power from. Even better, if you rough sketch on a sheet of paper your idea of how you imagine it looking with what direction the light strands would be running. Once I receive that info along with measurements of walls, fence line at lighting area, and distance between span, I will do my part in designing the best way to go in two ways, the most economical as well as a better quality method of installation based on what we have to work with.
