Light the Night Efficiently | Teems Electric

Have you written out the family schedule for the month yet? If your schedule is full of work meetings, sports practices, piano lessons and dance classes, there is a good chance you leave home in the dark of the morning and don’t make it back until the sun has already set.

Lighting the outside of your home has many purposes, including both curb appeal and security. When you maintain a crazy schedule, you likely need outdoor lighting simply to get into and out of the door on a regular basis.

With the potential for these lights to run long-term, using energy-efficient lighting can keep the cost of a well-lit night low.

Functional Lighting

One of the most essential outdoor lighting choices you should make is security lighting. Security lighting should be bright and cover a large area in order to keep anything (or anyone) unwanted away from your property.

Motion sensors with LED bulbs are a great choice for security lighting. Go for a high number of lumens for the proper brightness, and install them near entrances.

Pathway lighting is another functional lighting option that can increase your curb appeal and help you get in the door when your hands are full of bags. Solar lights are commonly used for smaller paths, but you may want to consider low-voltage wired lights that you can set to turn on and off on a timer.

While solar lights are LEDs that require no additional power, they only work when they are charged enough to turn on. In the winter or during a rainy period, you could be left fumbling to find your way. Low-voltage equipment gives you guaranteed lighting while still keeping the total electrical draw low.

Outdoor sconces may be another functional choice. These lights are wall-mounted and typically controlled inside the home. LED and low-voltage options are available for these lights, but they should primarily be used short-term only.

Fun Lighting

While outdoor lighting does serve a lot of necessary purposes, it can also be a way to expand your living space and allow you to enjoy an evening outside. Landscape lighting is also an inexpensive way to increase your curb appeal for potential buyers.

String lights are a great way to brighten up a porch or other seating area. Spotlights or deck lighting can highlight the best features of your home and create distinct areas for entertaining.

Any lighting choices you make for the outdoors should be rated as such in order to handle all the elements. If you use extension cords to power lights, make sure it is rated for outdoor use. Place them where kids won’t trip over it, and never overload them.

Opt for professional installation on bigger projects in order to keep electrical loads low. Adjust lighting positions after storms to ensure you aren’t blinding cars driving down the road, and make sure anything not installed on a permanent surface is secured well so it stays put in high winds. Turn lights off at night, or make sure that anything on a timer doesn’t run more than 12 hours.

Light every night efficiently and keep yourself and your home safe through every late night practice.

Ready to install exterior lighting? Contact us today for a free assessment.