1. Spring is just around the corner. Yesterday saw the arrival
of the Winter Solstice, which is an important seasonal
turning-point. As one of two yearly solstices (the other
being the Summer Solstice) the Winter Solstice marks the
time of year when the axial tilt of the Earth's northern
hemisphere is farthest away from the sun, resulting in the
shortest day and longest night of the year.
2. Every year thousands of people gather at Stonehenge in
Pembrokeshire to celebrate the occasion. Spectators
watch as the sun sets in the midst of three great stones,
known as the Trilithon, which consist of two large vertical
stones with a third supported horizontally on top. As the
sun passes down towards the horizon it shines through
the monument, silhouetting it and creating an awe-
inspiring scene on the Pembrokeshire hilltops.
3. For everyone living in the UK the Winter Solstice is
significant because we can all begin looking forward to
longer days again. This reversal of the seasonal tide has
become associated with ideas of rebirth and renewal. For
this reason it is also a good time to think about renewing
your household lighting as well.
4. If you're still using old incandescent light bulbs, you will
probably find that you have to replace them quite
regularly. The average lifespan of an incandescent bulb is
between 1,000 to 1,500 hours. This means you could find
yourself changing your light bulbs up to 5 to 6 times in a
single year! If you're living on a tight budget the addition
of light bulb replacement costs is an expense you can
certainly do without. It is also an expense that you can't
plan for, as incandescent filaments break without any
warning.
5. Energy efficient LED Lights don't rely on fragile filaments
which corrode rapidly overtime. Their semiconductor
diodes are far more resilient. An LED Bulb will last
anywhere between 30,000 and 50,000 hours, which is
outstanding. Even if you used your bulbs for 12 hours a
day they would still last for 10 years. Even better, you will
be able to tell when an LED Light is going to fail a few
weeks beforehand as the light will dim slightly. This is an
indication that the bulb is approaching the end of its life,
so you can plan for the cost of replacement in advance.
6. If you're still relying on incandescent lighting, its time to
switch to dependable LED Lights. If you buy today your
bulbs will still be giving you affordable light this time next
year, and for many years to come.