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p FreeIdeas organizes a community of progressive thinkers around forming new ways of presenting, creating, and organizing things in our daily lives. p
pRead a sample idea from the blog:p

pGet rid of Neon Open signs p
pApril 30th, 2006
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pWhy: because they require so much energy to use; they read as ugly blighted signs from the 70's. p
pBenefit: Lower Electric Bill. Better storefront aesthetic. Organization linked with Eco movement (and thus Eco consumers). p
pLow Voltage equates to safer operation and reduced fire hazard: LEDS run cooler and at a lower voltage than fluorescent and neon signs. For this reason, LEDs have gained advantage in areas where safety or fire hazards are significant design concerns. p
pLong Life and Low Energy usage equals Cost Savings Since LEDS are considered solid state devices, they provide extremely long life. Typical life expectancy of an LED approaches 11 years (100,000 hours) of constant power on usage. By using the lights only at night, this longevity figure would increase to 20 years. This translates into reduced maintenance costs for the user. p
pAnother advantage, is the low energy usage that LEDs offer over other light sources. The comparison of LEDs vs Neon shows, LEDS are 90% more efficient than both fluorescent and neon systems of comparable length. p
pLEDs use only a small percentage of the electricity required by NEON. Manufacturing of LED does not require the use of mercury, a hazardous material, which is used extensively in NEON manufacturing. p
pHow: For Designers- Design a simple green light/ blue light LED round package to post in the front of stores. The lights will be strong enough to see in daylight. Green Light for open/ blue for closed. Attach a switch onto the power-cord of this device. LED lights use a low amount of energy compared to Neon. Market this device in ECO/Progressive Consumer Districts and make some money/ donate your earnings to a good cause! p
pHow: For Shop Owners: Underwrite the developmental costs for this design. Advocate for the application of this device to your shopping community. p

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