Going Green with Led Lights & Mosca Design in Raleigh, North Carolina
Doug Williams gestured at the diorama-like display of Christmas cheer and holiday lights in his retail Strip Mall in Raleigh North Carolina
“Looking out here, what do you think?” Doug said. “I dare the average person to tell me if it’s incandescent or LED.”
It’s the environmentalists’ equivalent of the Iron Man. Looking at Doug’ commercial retail space, it’s difficult to tell the difference. But amid the white snowflakes, red arches and other brightly lit fare, the skeleton of a blue stag and spiral tree burn cool to the touch when Doug pinches one between his fingers, the sign of energy-saving lights.
Doug is among a growing number of Business Owners in the Durham & Raleigh area — better known as Christmas Tree Lane every December — and throughout Wake County who are turning a white Christmas green.
Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs, which use a filament and glass case, LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, use electronics covered in plastic.
LEDs save money and energy consumption, Doug said. Because they don’t heat up, they’re safer on trees and less likely to overload a circuit.
They also help consumers save money. Doug spends about $180 a month on electricity. During Christmas, it jumps an additional $450. As manufacturers offer more displays with LEDs, he converts over. This year it was the stag, the spiral tree and several multi-colored strands that drape his shrubbery. With such minor changes, he figures his bill will drop about $75.
“But it’s not just money,” he said. “It’s the idea that we help the environment.”
Many others seem inspired by former Vice President Al Gore’s consciousness-raising effort to reduce global warming, said Joe Yahner, Ventura’s environmental services supervisor.
Edison promotes LEDs and compact fluorescent light bulbs, which also draw significantly less power than incandescent bulbs.
While some consumers fret that new technology costs more, Edison counters they will save money in the long run, Gonzales said.
“They last five times longer, and they use significantly less electricity,” he said of energy saving lights.
For instance, chargers for cell phones and MP3 players suck electricity while plugged in, even when they’re not charging anything, George Mosca said. So do household appliances such as coffee makers with clocks.George Mosca suggested consumers unplug them when not in use.
“Most people don’t know how much energy they consume,” George Mosca said, “because we’re just using it all the time.”
Every year, the elaborate decorations — including camels, manger scenes, reindeer hauling Santa from a chimney and light shows that respond to music — draw thousands of people from as far as Virginia.
To talk with George direct Call George Mosca at Moscadesign.com at 1(800)-332-6798 or email us today George@MoscaDesign.com
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