HEALTHY AIR TIP OF THE MONTH: DECK THE HALLS & BREATHE EASY LED or "light emitting diode" holiday lights are a smart way to start the holiday season. They burn less electricity which is good for air quality, and they cost less to operate compared to standard bulbs. Focus on Energy is offering a $2 instant rebate on strings of LED lights at several area retailers including Ripon Ace Hardware. Store Manager Bill Boutwell says in his opinion, LED lights produce a nicer, brighter light. "Our assortment is getting better every year with many varieties available. Everyone really likes them. They are a big part of our holiday sales this year. This is the light bulb of the future." John Kiefer, Superintendent of Parks in the City of Fond du Lac, says LED lights are more expensive to purchase but cost the city almost 90% less to operate. "LED lights are almost unbreakable which is important during the decorating process and for storage of the lights used in Lakeside Park every year. We can replace up to 5000 bulbs a year of the regular incandescent string lights because they break so easily." As in many things, moderation and patience are important when it comes to making the transition from older, less-efficient appliances to newer, cleaner technologies. Households and municipalities need to decide what length of time they can wait before the technology pays for itself. A study by Alliant Energy has shown that the City of Fond du Lac could spend $22,000 to buy LED lights for the annual light display. This would save $3-4000 a year in operating and replacement costs, which means the new LED string lights would pay for themselves in five or six years. "LED reliability is going up, and cost is coming down over time," Kiefer explains. We are gradually making the change to LED's. The Lakeside Park display is about 40% LED now. We are starting to add LED floodlights to use year-round on the train and the base of the lighthouse too." According to Focus on Energy, LED lights are: •More energy efficient. LED holiday lights use up to 90 percent less energy than standard incandescent holiday lights. •Longer lasting. LED lights can last up to 10 times longer. •More convenient. LED holiday lights are available in 35 to 100-bulb strings in a variety of colors. If a bulb burns out, the other bulbs will stay lit so bad bulbs can easily be replaced. •Safer. LED lights produce almost no heat and don't have the same components that cause traditional lights to burn out or combust. •Sturdier. These bulbs won't break. In fact the casing for the diode is solid plastic so it's almost impossible to break. The Air Quality Tip of the Month is written by UW-Extension on behalf of the NEW Air Coalition, a group of representatives from Fond du Lac County government, business and education working together to improve air quality and the health of county residents. Learn more at www.FDLHealthyAir.com. SIDEBAR: RECYCLE OLD, BROKEN STRING LIGHTS Wondering what to do with your broken, tangled strings of lights from last year? There are several places you can take them for proper disposal and recycling in the area. String Light Recycling Options *American Auto Iron & Metal - unscrew large bulbs (W6811 County Trunk OOO, Fond du Lac) *Aronson's - wire only (513 Fond du Lac St., Waupun) Goodwill (904 S. Main St., Fond du Lac) *Ironman Metals - call 920/210-7000 for nearest pick-up or drop-off location Lowe's (1075 N. Washburn St., Oshkosh) *Marcoe's - wire only (232 Morris Circle, Fond du Lac) *Packer Street Recycling - wire only preferred (239 Packer St., Fond du Lac) *Sadoff Iron & Metal - unscrew large bulbs (240 W Arndt, Fond du Lac) *Customers will be reimbursed a small amount per pound for the wires.
