Read below about the many techniques and products available to conserve helium in balloons while continuing to fulfill the demand for balloons.
Air-Filled Balloon Decor:
Many balloon decorators are finding alternatives to helium-filled decor by using air and hanging their decor from the ceiling. Swags instead of arches, canapies that drape and balloon clusters that are suspended with a line are just a few ideas. Air-filled walls using grid systems like SDS or Rouse Matrix can still fill a room and all of it can be hung using the popular Clik-Clik Systems ceiling magnets.
Solutions to Helium-Filled Balloons on a Ribbon:
Alternatives to helium-filled balloons are wide and varied. Popular foils in all shapes and sizes can be filled with air and mounted on air-filled latex columns in various heights and sizes. And why stop there? Why not add value by adding some curled 260's and extra ribbon? These long lasting air-filled sculptures can be pre-made in retail stores and will likely fly off the shelves.
For check stands, consider replacing helium with air in the popular foil balloons and attaching them on the longer sticks and larger cups available in the market today. Premium Balloon Accessories and Control Plastics both offer quality cups and sticks for this purpose. Attaching curled ribbon to the cup will add value too.
Inflation Equipment:
Already available on the market are various inflation tools to make helium go farther. Western Enterprises/Westwinds, Conwin Carbonic and Zephyr Solutions offer a 60/40 helium/air balloon filler that incorporates air into the mix reducing the amount of helium used by 40%. This method conserves helium and fills more balloons per tank.
Hi-Float to extend float time:
Everyone in the balloon industry should know about the float-time extending properties of Hi-Float in a latex balloon. Now more than ever this unique product should be applied when inflating a balloon with helium as extending float time can be considered a part of our helium conservation efforts. New techniques are now available using Ultra Hi-Float to reduce helium while extending float times:
Foil Balloons With Extended Float Times:
Now available on the market are foil balloons with the technology to float for 3 to 5 times longer than standard foil balloons. XtraLife balloons from Anagram are designed to cut down on reinflation thereby conserving helium as are
Suprafoils™ from Qualatex with float times of up 60 days! Using lighter weight film, these balloons will require less helium and less labor in refill time.
Links to the above mentioned products have been provided for your convenience in finding distributors for these products. Please visit these Web sites to learn more about the products that are available on the market to help with your helium conservation efforts and refer back to this site for additional ideas/techniques.
Please visit our Upcoming Educational Events page to find education on air-filled decor.
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