Tag Archive for: West Vancouver Outdoor Lighting

Christmas Lights FAQs

Christmas Lights FAQs

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just over 3 months away!  If you haven’t already done so, you will want to think about booking a time to have your Christmas lights installed. It is best to have this done early so that you can get maximum enjoyment from this magical time of year.  Here are a few frequently asked questions to consider as you make preparations for the season.

Q: How do you hang Christmas Lights?

A: We have many tips and tricks to professionally hanging lights, leaving them straight and uniform. The most commonly used methods are clips, ties, clear line and staples.

Q: How much energy do my lights use?

A: This varies per job and amount of lights used. Light Knights are proud to be   environmentally friendly and use almost strictly LEDs which use 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Q: What is the difference between C6, C7, and C9 bulbs?

A: C6’s are versatile all purpose bulbs for indoor and outdoor decorating projects, measuring slightly smaller than the C7’s and are a fixed base bulb. C7’s can be removed from the base and changed out for custom color variations. C9’s are the biggest bulb measuring just under 3” and are also interchangeable. They are great for gutter and roof lines, being highly visible from further distances.

Q: What’s the difference between LED and incandescent bulbs?

A: This topic gets quite extensive and is explained in further detail on our website. The quick answer is, LEDs are much more energy efficient using up to 80% less energy than incandescents. LEDs last longer as there is no filament to burn out and are more durable.

Q: Will the string still work if one bulb burns out?

A: Yes, but there are exceptions. If the shunt (base) is still intact and the series hasn’t been compromised, the string will still work. If the shunt has been broken and power flow has been interrupted, that string will not work.

Year Round Christmas Lighting

Christmas Lighting Year-Round

If you choose to keep your lights up year-round, there are a few important notes than should be taken into account first.

1 – Fading. The weather we experience throughout our 4 seasons takes a toll on holiday lightingand can fade your lights, clips and wire, leaving it appearing old, even when it’s not.

2 – Pests. Leaving lighting up year-round gives that much more chance for those pesky little critters to chew or pull at your lighting. This will incur more costs to you in the long run.

3 – Oxidation. This is a big one. Snow, rain, sun, wind, dry, wet, repeat. You can imagine what this does to electronics and metal. It causes rust. The less time in the West Coast elements the better. Leaving lights up all year drastically reduces their lifespan.

4 – Plastic discoloration. Similar to above, plastics don’t stand up well to constant weather abuse. Over time with rain and sun, plastics (especially clear) will begin to discolor and leave your lights looking prematurely worn.

If you still want to go ahead with leaving your Christmas lights up, consider a few specific areas such as trees, sheds and pergolas.  This will create a nice ambiance for those warm summer evenings.

 

Recycle Your Christmas Lights

Recycling Your Christmas Lights

Let’s go green! Did you know the holiday lighting we use is 100% recyclable? It’s true, and we care about our environment just as much as you. The last thing we all want is more reusable materials in our landfills. So, if it’s time for new lights for your home, we will take away the old ones to be properly broken down and recycled. The copper gets salvaged and reused, plastic is melted and reused and the glass is as well. Everybody wins!

Storing Your Christmas Lights

Storing Your Christmas Lights

Our team uses a very specific labeling and layout system to keep your lights in good working order and to stay organized from one season to the next. If you are a first time client, we will make a detailed map of your property and respective labels go with it so that the following year, there is no question as to what goes where.  Organization equals efficiency as well as savings passed on to our valued clients.

We offer storage bins that promote airflow to keep your lights from corroding while being stored. The winter season brings much rain and snow and, more often than not, the lights are wet upon removal.  We understand what that does to lights. This is why we have taken the right steps to ensure your lights work to their full capacity.

We want you to know that all you need to do is book an appointment.  Whether it’s to put up your lights or to take them down, there’s not a thing for you to worry about.  We’ve got all the details covered to ensure the best result time and time again.

Christmas Lights Installation Safety

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Christmas Lights Safety

We all know that British Columbia’s lower mainland brings ever changing weather conditions, and Light Knights is prepared for this. Our team members are dressed for comfort and ease of use even in the worst weather.  We want our clients to rest assured that their homes and businesses are decorated on schedule without adding risk to the workers.

Our equipment is routinely checked for wear and serviced to keep it in top working order. This includes multiple ladders, ladder arms, hand tools, safety shoes, harnesses, cords, staplers, vehicles, and tree installation tools. The outcome of regularly serviced equipment is safety, efficiency, happy staff and happy clients.

We cannot overemphasize the importance of safety on the job and can assure our customers that we are committed to strict adherence of BC’s Safety Standards.

Other Uses For Christmas Lights – Party Lights

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Other Uses For Christmas Lights

Christmas lights can easily double as party lights for social events around your home. With such a large variety in shapes, sizes and colors to choose from, the switch is easy. Many of our clients choose to leave their lights up year-round in certain areas such as trees, sheds and pergolas. You made the initial purchase, why not use your lights as much as you can!  The possibilities are endless.

 Not only is outdoor lighting practical, creating ambiance is perfect for summer nights.  We can help you set the mood for those special events or simply for your enjoyment.  Lighting your outdoor entertaining areas can open up the dining experience for your guests.  Summertime is the perfect time to explore your outdoor home and make the most of it.  Those beautiful warm summer nights are behind us all too soon.  

We would be so pleased to be given the opportunity to work with you to create a warm and inviting atmosphere outside of your home this summer and all year round.

 

Powerful Words

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Powerful Words From Our Customers

We love testimonials.  They convey a message that we cannot possibly deliver…  We CAN be trusted to perform exceptional lighting services to your home and business.

Here is a recent note received into the office:

Ryan,

I am writing to you because I believe in the strength of a strong testimonial in acknowledgment of services rendered over and above my expectations.

I have been using Light Knights for three consecutive years. I have been impressed with every crew you have sent to assist me with my outdoor Christmas lights.  Not only are they courteous and professional, they regularly go out of their way to ensure I am more than satisfied with their work. No last minute request or task is ever an inconvenience for them.

In addition to your field crew(s), I am also impressed by the communication and follow up that originates from your office. Your newsletter is a nice touch.

I will continue to promote you personally amongst my friends and family. I also hope this letter generates new business for you and your company.

I want to thank you for making what is a daunting experience a pleasurable one.

Best regards,

Melanie Boivin

 

4 Steps to Prolong The Life of Your Christmas Lights

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How To Make Your Christmas Lights Last Longer

Are you tired of throwing out what seems like year old LED Christmas lights?  Are your Christmas Lights looking dim after just one season?  You may have caught what we like to call the “Vancouver Christmas Light Flu”.  The flu you ask?  Yes, and the symptoms are bulbs not turning on, flickering lights, dimmer than normal brightness, and potentially fatal, whole strand death.

The new LED Christmas lights available in stores are not as “hardy” as the old incandescent bulbs and strings.  People have been used to taking their Christmas lights down and throwing them in the box for the year not thinking about condensation or water being in the storage bin.  This used to cause a bulb or two to fail to work the next season and with the cheap cost of incandescent lights it wasn’t an issue for homeowners.  Herein lies the problem homeowners across Vancouver are facing.  LED Christmas lights not working after a short amount of seasons because the lights are being stored improperly.  Unfortunately, homeowners don’t understand this and are actually the main culprit for Vancouver Christmas Light Flu.

Mr. Light Knights, how can I relieve my Christmas lights of the flu?!  That’s a great question.  Here are four quick and easy steps to prolong the life of your Christmas Lights.

1) When you take down your lights wrap them in coils around your arm and place them neatly into a storage bin.  (Pro tip:  using a drill, drill 5-7 air holes in your storage bin to ensure adequate ventilation)

2) Take your bin inside and take off the lid.

3) Put the bin in a warm location in your home for 3-4 days.

4) After 3-4 days check to see that the lights are all dry.  If dry, close the lid.  If damp, let sit with lid open for a couple more days.  Once dried, store the bin in a cool, dry location until October/November/December or whenever you would like to put your lights up.  (Pro tip:  take a few sheets of old newspaper and put them on the top of the lights.  The newspaper will act as an absorbent and ensure your bin stays perfectly dry all year long)

That’s it!  Such simple steps to prolong the life of your Christmas lights.  Remember, Vancouver can be a harsh winter climate and the lights like a little pampering before going in to hibernate for the year.

Best,

LK

Christmas Light Safety

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Our friends at eClean Magazine have put together a great infographic on Christmas Light safety.  Check it out: http://www.ecleanmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/holiday-lights.pdf

 

Keep safe this Christmas season!  Find out more on our safety procedures and how critical safety is to us here:  https://lightknights.ca/safety/

 

Lots of love,

Light Knights Lighting

Christmas Light Testimonial of the Year!

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We really, really, really love clients who are so thorough with their testimonials!  This is what we love so much about the Christmas Light season!

 

“Things I loved about how you conducted your business:

– responded to my original inquiry promptly

– provided an estimate quickly

– thorough invoice

–  insured

– stated expectations regarding Christmas lights being checked and/or replaced

– arrived promptly and according to plan

– the installers were polite, friendly, professional and respectful

– the installers did exactly what we asked – amazing since this was our first time with your company (but NOT the last)

– had the tools and supplies that they needed

– left the storage boxes neatly 

– the whole area was neat and clean when they were finished

– invoice matched the quote

– the thank you card was very thoughtful and a lovely gesture of appreciation (so is the draw for the beautiful bottle of red wine)!

 

Totally impressed – will refer you to anybody that is needing their Christmas lights installed.”

 

Catherine King, North Vancouver