When it comes to enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your outside area, outdoor lights are a powerful tool. Outdoor lighting that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing can do wonders for your house; they highlight its distinctive design characteristics while enhancing security and making your patio or deck seem more like an extension of your home. Meanwhile, there is a wide variety of outdoor light options, from low-voltage fixtures that the homeowner may install to high-powered spotlights that a licenced electrician should install.
The Use of Incandescent Light Bulbs
In addition to being the most popular choice for outdoor lights, its “warm” light hue and low cost also make it a good choice. Incandescent lights generate a lot of heat because they produce light by heating. And if you don’t have a heater in your house or business, the heat generated by this appliance might be a lifesaver during the winter months.
LED Lamps
LED lights have a far longer lifespan than regular incandescent bulbs. A typical incandescent light bulb will work for around a thousand hours. Meanwhile, LED bulbs typically last for up to 50,000 hours. Its lifespan might reach 100,000 hours, depending on how you put it to work. This implies you may go between six and twelve years before replacing an LED bulb, and that’s forty times as long as a regular light bulb lasts.
Power Source for Outdoor Lights
Powering outdoor lights may be accomplished in several different ways. Wet-weather resistance is a significant selling point for low-voltage (12-volt) outdoor light systems. It is possible to employ high voltage or solar energy to power outdoor lighting installations. Meanwhile, there are pros and downsides to every possible arrangement.
Warning: Before installing any new lights, it is recommended that you speak with a professional. Without professional assistance, you should not attempt any of the procedures described in this manual.
Modified Voltage
Outdoor lights with a low voltage might have a rating of 10V, 12V, or 24V. Their benefits include being energy-efficient, user-friendly, and easily adjustable after installation.
High Voltage
120V is considered to be a high voltage for outdoor lighting installations. Additional components like conduit and an electrical junction box are needed for this power system to work. Their benefits include lower prices and the ability to power most items with a single voltage supply.
Solar Energy
Solar lighting systems collect photons from the sky and convert them into usable electricity. This method of generating electricity is often used in light sensors that illuminate only when an established threshold is exceeded. Lighting systems powered by the sun don’t need special tools or wiring to get up and run. Such lighting must be exposed to sunshine for at least 6-8 hours daily. So, whether camping, fishing, or just hanging out in the backyard, solar lights are a practical option when you don’t have access to an electrical socket.
Sensors and Timers
Controlling lights with motion detectors and timers are further examples of low-energy lighting fixtures. Timers are set to turn on and off, providing illumination for a predetermined amount of time. And when motion is sensed, the motion sensor turns the lights on. It is recommended that motion sensors be employed for security purposes, such as lighting pathways or discouraging trespassers.
Lighting and Flood Protection
Driveway Security Lighting
Outdoor floodlights and security lights are powerful, wide-angle fixtures illuminating large regions. These lights are frequently installed with motion detectors that turn them on whenever they detect motion to discourage criminal behaviour and make people feel more secure.
Lighting for Safety and Security
If you’re concerned about the safety of your house at night, dusk-to-dawn lights are a great choice since they automatically turn on when the sun goes down and off when it rises.
Meanwhile, a motion sensor light turns on and illuminates a vast area when motion is detected. Motion-sensor lights are efficient because they turn off after being activated by motion and remain off until they are activated again.
Security and floodlights are most valuable when equipped with bulbs of the appropriate wattage and protective coverings that focus the light where it is needed while eliminating unnecessary glare and dark spots. So, pick a wattage that’ll adequately light up your space without spilling over onto the street or your neighbour’s yard/window.
