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(ARA) - Oh Christmas tree, oh
Christmas tree, how lovely are your … computer chips? That's
right, this year the National Christmas Tree will have lamps
fitted with tiny computer chips that release multi-colored
light -- called LEDs (light emitting diodes) -- the latest in
energy efficient lighting. The effect will create a tree
that's brilliantly different than the traditional incandescent
lights … and more than a hundred times more energy efficient. |
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As planning began for the 2007
tree, officials from the White House and the National Park
Service asked GE to look into the possibility of adding LEDs
in this year's design. "LEDs are becoming the first choice for
so many people who want long lasting, beautiful and energy
efficient lighting in their homes. It's only natural that we
should have it for our holiday tree, too," says Kathy
Presciano, lighting designer for the National Tree, who works
for GE Consumer & Industrial. "This year, we've produced a GE
26-light string that we believe will fit the bill. It should
save the government over 120 watts of energy for every string
of lights." |
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Kathy Presciano, lighting
designer for the National Christmas Tree, shows off the
super bright, energy efficient LED lights that will go
on the nation's tree this year.
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An Experiment in Savings |
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Traditionally, the National
Christmas Tree holds 500 strings of incandescent lights, not
counting the topper. This year, in keeping with GE's
commitment to eco-friendly initiatives, the company decided a
more earth-friendly design was needed, replacing those bulbs
with multicolored LEDs. In addition to the tremendous energy
savings, LEDs have nearly 20 times the life of a traditional,
incandescent lamp, meaning these lights can be used year after
year. |
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"We'll have to make adjustments
as we go to get the right number of strings on the tree, and
the right level of brightness. But once we do, we will
establish a new tradition of energy conservation for the
National Tree, and a template we can use for years to come,"
Presciano says. |
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Innovation Behind the Scenes |
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Planning for this year's tree
began almost as soon as last year's tree was taken down -- a
typical timeline regardless of the lighting technology.
Presciano began conceptualizing this tree and putting together
preliminary drawings as early as January. |
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That much lead-time is necessary
because, once approved, the tree's ornaments need to be
fabricated. This year's tree will feature approximately 125
red bows that are 26 inches high and nearly 20 inches wide.
Fabrication of the ornaments is donated by SABIC Innovative
Plastics, located in Pittsfield, Mass. SABIC used Lexan
polycarbonate sheet for the ornaments because it is resistant
to sun and impact, and works well in outdoor lighted sign
applications. The red shiny garland, all 1,000 feet of it --
will feature red LED lights, too. |
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While this year's topper will be
the same 42-inch, three-dimensional star design used last
year, it will be refabricated for the 2007 season using GE's
Tetra Power White LEDs. Sold primarily to industrial sign
makers, this LED is 15 times brighter than the standard LED.
When completed, this topper is intended to be an "heirloom"
topper, which can be used year after year. |
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Looking to the Future |
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"LEDs are becoming more and more
popular because they last much longer and are extremely energy
efficient," Presciano says. For instance, one 26-lamp string
of traditional lights lasts 1,000 hours and burns at 125
watts. The same size string in LED lasts 20,000 hours and
burns at 2.3 watts. One set of LED lights costs only ten cents
of electricity to run all season, she adds. |
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Presciano is excited about the road ahead. "This is a time of
bold new frontiers in eco-friendly lighting. We're proud to
bring those innovations to light on the National Tree." For
more information on how you can use eco-friendly lighting
technology in your home, visit
www.gelighting.com.
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Courtesy of ARAcontent |
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