With electricity consumption at an all-time high, now is the ideal time to transition towards more efficient outdoor lighting solutions. Whether it’s your garden, or parking lot, investing in energy-efficient options is a bright idea (literally and figuratively).
So, how can you make the best choice when it comes to outdoor lighting? Make sure to read to the end because we’re diving into the various types of outdoor lighting and exploring effective strategies to maximize energy efficiency.
If you’re on the lookout for additional energy-saving measures, look no further than PEC! We’ve got you covered with our expert services that will fix and improve your setup while you sit back, relax, and relish lower electric bills and a more positive environmental impact. Get to know our team and the minds behind our energy-saving magic.
What Is Energy Efficient Lighting?
Energy efficient lighting is a form of lighting solution that uses less energy than traditional lighting sources while providing the same level of illumination. Whether indoors or outdoors, energy efficient lighting is all about reducing electricity usage and saving you money. Plus, it’s a total eco-friendly choice that’s gaining popularity faster than a shooting star!
There are various technologies involved in energy efficient lighting, including LED (light-emitting diode) and CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs. They’re designed to use less electricity while still giving you that perfect glow. And let’s not forget about the smart lighting systems that can be programmed to turn on and off exactly when you need them, so you’re always in control.
What Are The Pros Of Having Energy Efficient Lighting For Outdoor Space?
Energy-efficient lighting goes beyond just saving money and electricity. Here are some of the main advantages of using this lighting solution for your outdoor space:
Energy Savings
Energy efficient lighting uses less energy than traditional lighting, which can result in significant savings on your electric bill.
LED lighting is the most energy-efficient option, as it uses up to 90% less energy than traditional lighting.1 But wait, there’s more! LED optics also have an improved ability to be directed to where light is needed most, reducing the amount of light that needs to be produced. You can also opt for fluorescent, halogen, or solar-powered lighting to maximize energy savings. And guess what? You can take it a step further by combining these lighting options with motion sensors and timers. By doing so, you can effectively reduce energy costs and save even more.
Enhanced Visibility
One of the main advantages of having energy efficient LED lighting for your outdoor space is enhanced visibility.
LED offers the highest efficacy compared to other technologies, producing the most amount of light (measured in “foot candles”) per kilowatt consumed and providing optimal illumination while consuming less energy. Additionally, strategically positioning your lighting fixtures will also help maximize visibility throughout the space, while minimizing energy consumption in your outdoor area.
Uplighting is a particularly effective technique that enhances visibility and creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. By placing uplights at ground level and directing them upwards, you can illuminate the surrounding area and contribute to a welcoming ambiance.
Improved Safety And Security
With the right energy efficient lighting, you can ensure that your outdoor area is well-lit and more secure by helping deter criminals and provide better visibility for customers and employees.
For instance, having motion-activated lights can help alert you when there is an intruder in your area. This type of lighting is triggered by movement and will turn on when someone is on the premises. Moreover, well-lit surroundings significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents such as tripping and falling, ensuring a safer environment for customers and employees.
Increased Aesthetics
Energy-efficient lighting is a key element in transforming your outdoor space into a visually captivating and sustainable environment. By strategically incorporating uplighting techniques, you can accentuate the natural beauty of your landscape, including magnificent trees, charming walls, and other prominent features. The best part? This lighting solution reduces your carbon footprint while improving ambiance in your outdoor space.
Extended Lifespan Of Lighting Fixtures
As we all know, outdoor lighting is exposed to the elements, so it’s crucial to select fixtures that are durable and have a longer lifespan. High-performing LED lighting fixtures, specifically, provide an extended lifespan of 100,000+ hours, surpassing traditional options.
This allows you to enjoy your outdoor lighting for an extended period without frequent replacements, saving you money in the long run and eliminating the constant worry of maintenance.
Types Of Energy Efficient Lighting For Outdoor Spaces
Ready to explore the world of outdoor lighting options? From cost-effective to high-end choices, there’s a perfect energy-efficient solution for your outdoor space! Let’s take a closer look at each one here:
(Light-Emitting Diode) LED Lights: Undoubtedly the most popular choice for energy-efficient outdoor lighting, LED lights boast remarkable efficiency, consuming up to 90% less energy compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. Not only that, but they also exhibit exceptional durability and longevity, with certain LED lights lasting up to an impressive 50,000 hours.
Solar-Powered Lamps: Harnessing the power of the sun, these lamps eliminate concerns about increasing your electricity bill. They provide sustainable illumination without compromising on brightness or reliability.
Fluorescent Lights: While less efficient than LED, fluorescent lights consume significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and boast a lifespan of up to 10 times longer. These lights also offer an eco-friendly and very cost-effective lighting solution for residential outdoor spaces.
Low-Voltage Lighting: These are ideal for illuminating residential pathways, decks, and various outdoor areas, as they offer a safe and efficient solution, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic appeal to enhance your outdoor environment.
Motion-Sensing Lights: These lights are triggered by movement, so you don’t have to worry about leaving lights on all night, providing convenient and energy-saving illumination when needed, enhancing both security and peace of mind.
Techniques to Maximize Energy Efficiency When Lighting Outdoor Areas
Have you decided on the lighting option you’re going for? Now, let’s elevate it further with some valuable tips for maximizing energy efficiency in your outdoor areas.
Leverage Energy-Efficient Bulbs
Energy-efficient bulbs use way less energy than traditional bulbs, with LED bulbs leading the efficiency race by using up to a whopping 90% less energy, while CFL bulbs save around 75% energy.
The best part? These bulbs don’t easily give up on you. They last longer than their traditional counterparts, meaning you won’t find yourself on a never-ending quest to replace bulbs all the time.
But wait, there’s more! Choosing the right color temperature can make a real difference in creating the perfect ambiance. Warm white bulbs resemble the cozy glow of a fireplace, perfect for setting the mood and providing general lighting.
On the other hand, cool white bulbs are ideal for task-oriented activities and accent lighting, casting a bright and focused light wherever you need it.
Use Motion Sensors
By using motion sensors, you can save energy by only having your lights turn on when they detect movement. This helps to prevent lights from being left on unnecessarily and wasting energy.
The benefits of motion sensors extend far beyond energy conservation. With motion sensors on duty, you can ramp up the safety and security of your outdoor areas. If someone enters the area, the lights will automatically illuminate, providing an added layer of protection for you and your family.
Motion sensors can be utilized both indoors and outdoors, and typically run on trusty batteries and can even be programmed to activate at specific times of day or night. Talk about convenience and customization!
Time Your Lights
By gaining control over when and how long your lights shine, you can cut down on energy consumption and save a bundle of cash in the long run.
With a timer in place, you can bid farewell to the daily chore of manually flipping those light switches. Simply set the timer to turn your lights on at dusk and off at dawn. This makes sure that your lights are only used when needed, saving you energy and money.
Use Uplighting
Uplighting is a fantastic technique that involves strategically placing lights at the base of objects like trees, walls, or statues and directing them upward. The result? A mesmerizing and dramatic effect that adds a touch of beauty to your outdoor space.
Uplighting offers a multitude of benefits.
Firstly, it creates the illusion of a larger and more expansive outdoor area, making your space appear bigger and brighter.
Secondly, it helps in setting a warm and inviting atmosphere, making your guests feel comfortable and welcome.
When installing uplighting, several key considerations come into play. Make sure that the lights are not excessively bright, as this can be overwhelming and detract from the desired effect and avoid aiming the lights directly at your guests and maintain even spacing between lights to prevent overcrowding and ensure a harmonious lighting arrangement.
How Does Uplighting Promote Energy-Efficient Lighting?
One notable advantage is its ability to illuminate larger areas with fewer light fixtures. By minimizing the number of lights required, uplighting significantly reduces energy consumption while still ensuring adequate illumination throughout the outdoor space.
By utilizing energy-efficient light sources in uplighting, such as LED bulbs, and implementing smart controls like motion sensors or timers, uplighting maximizes energy savings and minimizes unnecessary electricity usage. This not only reduces the environmental impact but also leads to substantial cost savings in the long run.
How Do You Set Up Uplights?
When setting up uplights, consider the size of your outdoor space and the type of effect you are trying to create. For larger outdoor spaces, you may want to use multiple uplights to create a more uniform effect. If you are looking to create a more dramatic effect, you may want to use fewer uplights that are placed further apart.
Let’s move forward to the type of bulbs. You might want to opt for LED bulbs as they steal the spotlight for being super energy efficient and having an impressive lifespan compared to traditional ones. Take note that they might not shine as bright as regular bulbs. So, to achieve that desired level of illumination, look for higher-quality LED lights.
Now, let’s shed some light on the proper placement of uplight fixtures. Give them some space! Uplights need their personal bubble at least two feet away from any vertical surfaces to avoid being too harsh with their glow.
Illuminate Your Outdoor Space With PEC. Discover The Perfect Energy-Efficient Lighting Solution Today!
At PEC, we take pride in offering commercial and industrial lighting solutions that prioritize both energy efficiency and the optimal light levels of your indoor and outdoor spaces. Our range of services is designed to cater to your specific needs. Here’s a glimpse of what we have to offer:
Energy Audit: Discover untapped efficiency opportunities within your existing lighting system.
Lighting Design: Experience efficiency that’s seamlessly integrated into the design of your space.
Energy Incentives: Our incentives are designed to feel like a discount, not an additional project.
Lighting Control Systems: Enjoy lighting exactly when you need it, and avoid unnecessary energy consumption.
Project Management: Count on our expertise to ensure long-lasting installations.
HVAC Smart Motors: Harness the power of smart motor technology to revolutionize HVAC performance.
Energy Monitoring: Easily measure, verify, and optimize your energy usage.
Financing Options: We offer flexible financing solutions fueled by the energy savings you’ll achieve.
Our team of seasoned professionals is committed to developing and implementing sophisticated lighting strategies that drive optimal performance for your business, your employees, and yourself.
At PEC, we’ll be more than happy to demonstrate our projects and services’ superiority. With our extensive experience, expertise, and transformative vision, we have what it takes to tackle complex challenges faced by commercial and industrial businesses.
Are you ready to kickstart your energy-efficient journey? Take your very first step with us and let us guide you towards a greener and more sustainable future. Contact us today.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the great outdoors, it is essential to keep things well-lit to ward off any security mishaps or unexpected stumbles. Luckily, there is a plethora of energy-efficient lighting options to choose from, so you can be confident in finding the best solutions for your space.
Here at PEC, we understand that selecting the right energy-efficient lighting for your outdoor space can feel like a daunting task. But fear not! We are here to lend a helping hand with a range of energy management services that will assist you in making the perfect decision for all your lighting needs.
No more stumbling in the dark! Get in touch with our support team and let us shed some light on your outdoor space together!
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FAQs
What type of lighting uses the least electricity?
LED lights are the most energy-efficient type of lighting and use the least electricity. They are long-lasting, durable and are also much cooler than other types of lighting. Plus, they do not require frequent replacements.
What can I use instead of solar outdoor lights?
LED lights are a great alternative to solar outdoor lights. They are more energy-efficient, last longer, reliable, and are very easy to install.
Are LED lights more energy efficient than fluorescent ones?
Yes, LED lights are more energy-efficient than fluorescent lights because they use less electricity to produce the same amount of light.
Do you waste more electricity by turning the lights on and off?
No, you do not waste more electricity by turning the lights on and off. Just make sure to turn the lights off when not in use to save energy and money on your electricity bill.
Sources:
1 Berge, S. (n.d.). LED lighting – energy conservation – jameco electronics. https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/workshop/TechTip/led-lighting-energy-conservation.html
