6 Jan
2011

Street Lights

Street Lights

Lower costs and improved performance with LED street lights

Strategies to improve street lighting and reduce costs

Streetlights are a major expense head for all utilities. Cost of installing poles, light fixtures, replacement bulbs, and maintenance and replacement charges can at times be more than what a utility can handle. Coupled with the high costs are the demand of excellent customer service and ensuring public safety.  Utilities also carry the responsibility of reducing their carbon footprint and adopting sustainable products and practices in the long-term interest of their citizens. Not surprisingly, utilities are coming up with innovative solutions to tackle these challenges.

Smart municipal councils and utility companies show the way

What is common between Menasha in Wisconsin and Surrey in UK? Both are harnessing LED street lights to improve street lighting quality and generate savings for their respective municipalities. Estimates suggest that Menasha will save $ 60,000 annually resulting in a payback time of less than three years. Los Angeles and Ann arbor are also on track to harness the benefits of LED lighting.

Switching off and dimming of Street lights

Some municipalities like Kennebunk, (Maine) have taken a different route - that of switching off unneeded streetlights. Besides the headache of identifying which lights to switch off, when to switch them off, dealing with irate citizens and accusations of compromising on public safety, their annual savings are estimated at a modest $20,000. Gloucestershire County in UK also uses the dimming and switching off technique with better financial returns – annual savings of 200,000 pounds. Many experts feel that investing in LED street lights would have been a more prudent choice.

Use of intelligent control systems

When officials in Vietnam needed to address the street light issue, they decided to invest in a central control systems and replacing older energy inefficient bulbs. Today Ho Chi Minh City expects to save 229.6 million kWh of electricity that would be valued at 22.96 million dollars at an average rate of $ 0.1 per kilowatt! These systems work well with LED lighting technology.

Using social networking tools to improve service quality

Some utilities are harnessing the power of twitter to reduce outages. Customers of the Kissimmee Utility Authority can send a twitter message to the utility with details of malfunctioning streetlights. San Francisco residents have access to a similar facility.

The integrated solution

When Phoenix (Arizona) decided to strive to become the greenest city in United States LED street lights were one of their first choices. Not only do they use 50 % or lesser energy their low temperature operation, light weight and hassle free long working life of 50,00 hours or more makes them the ideal choice for street lights.

Add to this the ability of dynamically controlling street illumination with intelligent systems (as San Jose has demonstrated) and these technological marvels leave a few prayers unanswered. These full cut off lights are kinder to the dark skies that have become a rarity in today's urban landscape. Even those who are not too worried about the environment love the fact that these lights attract far fewer insects. These lights can also serve as a communication tool. When needed, intelligent control systems can direct these lights to go into the flashing mode. There is little surprise that these future ready lights are emerging as the number one streetlight choice.

When it gets dark, why do street lights go red then orange/amber?


The street lights turn on when it's dark and go red. Then, after a couple of minutes they turn orange/amber. Does anyone know why?

The bulbs are usually H I D high intensity discharge bulbs,,Sodium,,they need a massive power supply to get them going only 240V but it has to be almost pumped in ,,as the Sodium gas warms the glow of the bulb changes colour ,,,,

Kurt Adler 10-Light Victorian Street Lamps Light Set
Kurt Adler 10-Light Victorian Street Lamps Light Set
List Price: $23.33
Sale Price: $20.84
You save: $2.49 (11%)
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Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Description

This 10/light Victorian street lamp light set features 30-inch lead wire and 12-inch spacing. The set includes 4 spare bulbs and 1 spare fuse. This light set is for indoor use only.

Features

  • 10/light novelty light set
  • Plastic/Wire/bulbs
  • street lamps
Department 56 Village Uptown Street Lights Accessory Set of 2
Department 56 Village Uptown Street Lights Accessory Set of 2
List Price: $20.00
Sale Price: $18.00
You save: $2.00 (10%)
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Description

Department 56 Villages set the gold standard for Holiday lit houses. Our Village Display Solutions complete your Village display. Add lighting, accessories--both still and animated--trees, roads and so much more to put the perfect finishing touches on your Village display.

Features

  • Village streetlight 2 piece set accessory
  • Zinc Alloy, Plastic, LED
  • Set of 2 green decorative street lights village accessory
  • Christmas decoration not a toy remove surface dust with fine brush or feather duster use no liquid cleaners
Set of 10 Black Victorian Street Light Christmas Lights - Green Wire
Set of 10 Black Victorian Street Light Christmas Lights - Green Wire
Sale Price: $29.99
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Description

Victorian Street Light Christmas Lights Item #UL1584 Features: Color: clear bulbs/green wire Festive light covers feature black Victorian street lights. This light string is so unique because it can also be used as tree lights or for village scenes Number of bulbs on string: 10 Bulb size: mini Steady burning bulbs Straight line construction Spacing between each light: 12 inches Lighted length: 9 feet (2.74m) Total length: 11.5 feet (3.5m) 30 inch lead cord Set includes sticky pads to stick to the bottom of lights in case these are to be used in village scenes UL listed for indoor use only 120V, 60Hz, .08A, 9.6W Contains 1 plug with end connector allowing you to stack multiple sets of lights together Comes with (4) 12 volt spare replacement bulbs and 2 spare fuses Dimensions of each light cover: 4.75"H x 2"W Material(s): plastic light covers/glass bulbs/wire

Kurt Adler 10-Light Antique Colonial Street Lamp Light Set
Kurt Adler 10-Light Antique Colonial Street Lamp Light Set
List Price: $25.56
Sale Price: $17.99
You save: $7.57 (30%)
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Description

This 10/light antique colonial street lamp light set with amber lamps and wreaths, 30-inch lead wire, 12-inch spacing, 4 spare bulbs and 2 spare fuses. This light set is for indoor use only.

Features

  • 10/light novelty light set
  • Plastic/Wire/bulbs
  • street lamps
Department 56 Village Double Street Lamps Set of 4
Department 56 Village Double Street Lamps Set of 4
List Price: $13.00
Sale Price: $12.49
You save: $0.51 (4%)
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Description

Set of 4. Battery operated (not included).

Features

  • Dimensions: 3.5"
Department 56 Village Snowman Street Lights
Department 56 Village Snowman Street Lights
Sale Price: $17.50
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Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days
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Description

These minituare street lamps measure almost 5 inches tall and each is topped with a cheery snowman. The street lamps use LED lights and can be lit using 2 "C" size batteries or can use an "AC/DC Adapter" (item number 56.55026) which is sold separately. The Village landscape accesesories are designed and manufactured exclusively by Department 56.

Features

  • Dimensions: 4.75"
Kurt Adler 10-Light Sesame Street Faces Light Set
Kurt Adler 10-Light Sesame Street Faces Light Set
List Price: $24.50
Sale Price: $19.43
You save: $5.07 (21%)
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Description

This novelty light set features 10 lights with 5 assorted Sesame Street character faces.

Features

  • 10-light string light set features Sesame Street characters
  • Made of durable plastic
  • Features 5 assorted Sesame Street character faces
Department 56 Snow Village Fifty-Six Street Lights Set of 2 800006
Department 56 Snow Village Fifty-Six Street Lights Set of 2 800006
Sale Price: $16.48
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Description

Department 56 Snow Village Fifty-Six Street Lights Set of 2 800006

Features

  • Department 56 Snow Village Fifty-Six Street Lights Set of 2 800006
Department 56 Fifty-Six Street Lghts Set of 2
Department 56 Fifty-Six Street Lghts Set of 2
List Price: $29.99
Sale Price: $14.99
You save: $15.00 (50%)
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Description

Each of the 2 ornate street lamps in this set bear the "56" logo along with three LED wired globes. This set of 2 uses batteries to power the lights and can also be powered using the AC/DC power adapter (56.55026), sold separately. Designed and manufactured exclusively for Department 56.

Features

  • Dimensions: 5.25"
Verilux Original Natural Spectrum Deluxe Floor Lamp, Graphite
Verilux Original Natural Spectrum Deluxe Floor Lamp, Graphite
Sale Price: $89.95
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Description

The Original Deluxe Natural Spectrum Floor Lamp utilizes over 50 years of research expertise to create a versatile and practical lamp. Glare is eliminated and colors look vibrant through a Verilux Parabolic Grid Diffuser and Flicker Elimination Technology virtually removes fatigue, eyestrain, and headaches. A flexible gooseneck and two levels of illumination place indoor sunshine exactly where you want it. This lamp’s finishes match any décor. The Original also has an advanced electronic ballast system which provides greater light output and ensures you are using less power

Features

  • Flexible gooseneck and high/low brightness control allow eay directional and regulation of light
  • Clean and balanced Natural Spectrm light brings daylight indoors providing illumination with greater contrast and true color rendering
  • Flicker Elimination Technology and parabolic grid diffuser virtually eliminates eyestrain and fatigue
  • Energy efficient lighting system provides 150 watts of incandescent illumination from a 27 watt bulb
  • 1 year limited warranty
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