Outdoor lighting is not just there to help you find your keys in the dark—it also improves home security, beauty, and functionality.
But (as you may already know), it uses energy. That’s why finding balance is important, ensuring your property is illuminated without burning a hole in your wallet.
In this guide, we’ll offer practical tips on how to reduce your outdoor lighting bill while maintaining a beautifully lit home.
1. Choose Better Lighting
Shopper fatigue is real—if you’ve recently stopped by a home improvement store, you’ve likely noticed a miles-long (slight exaggeration) lighting aisle with indoor and outdoor lighting options galore. Maybe you thought “That’s a lot of bulbs to look through,” and you wouldn’t be wrong. To save you time (and frustration), we’ve listed out our favorite energy-efficient outdoor lighting options:
Low-Voltage Outdoor Lighting
If you’re looking to save, your first choice should be to install low-voltage outdoor lighting. As the name suggests, these systems operate at a lower voltage (12 to 24V) than standard lighting fixtures (120V), leading to significant energy savings without sacrificing light quality or brightness. They’re also safer and easier to install, making them a no-brainer for your garden or patio.
LED Lighting
Known for its minimal energy usage and longevity, LED technology is definitely something you’ll want to incorporate into your lighting plan. In addition to only using a fraction of the power required by traditional incandescent bulbs, LED lights come in a broad spectrum of colors and designs, are free from toxic elements like mercury (found in traditional bulbs), and perform well in a wide range of temperatures, making them less likely to crack in outdoor conditions.
Timers & Motion Sensors
Integrating timers and motion sensors can also optimize your outdoor lighting efficiency. Timers allow you to schedule when lights turn on and off, ensuring they are used only when you need them. Additionally, motion sensors add an additional layer of efficiency by activating lights in response to movement, which can deter potential intruders (or startled cats), and reduce energy costs.
Solar-Powered Lighting
Praise the sun! Solar-powered lights absorb solar energy during the day and use it to light up your space at night. The absence of wiring makes them easy to install and maintain, offering a sustainable (and budget-friendly) alternative for outdoor lighting.
Professional Tip #1: The color you choose also impacts energy consumption. Blue light actually uses less energy than traditional white light. Of course, if you really hate the idea of blue light, don’t do it. The options listed above will still help you reduce energy costs. Color temperature does not impact energy consumption, so don’t worry about cool versus warm—that’s a matter of personal preference.
Professional Tip #2: Look for products with energy-saving certifications or ratings—these are designed to consume less power.
2. Choose the Best Location
Efficient placement ensures that energy is used effectively, so be sure to map out where you want to place your lights. Don’t overdo it—you don’t need lights everywhere. Focus on key areas and use fewer fixtures.
For more guidance, please read this blog.
3. Don’t Skip Out on Maintenance
Outdoor lighting is generally extremely easy to maintain. The hardest part is doing it. But, whether you like it or not, maintaining your outdoor lighting fixtures is crucial for energy efficiency. Even if you’re an avid lover of the outdoors, you can’t deny that it’s a dirty place. Over time, bulbs will accumulate dirt, debris, and other things we won’t mention. When this debris is allowed to build up, it causes the light to dim, reducing their effectiveness. Now, while that doesn’t mean your lights will automatically use more energy, what may end up happening is that you replace the old ones with brighter bulbs or add more lighting to compensate, all of which will increase energy costs.
Secondly, cleaning dirty bulbs and replacing damaged bulbs ensures your lighting systems operate at peak efficiency, reducing energy costs and making it less likely that you’ll need to prematurely replace your system.
Get More Tips From Brilliant Nights Design
Get more advice from our experts at Brilliant Nights Design. We specialize in designing and installing custom landscape lighting and audio systems. You can visit our blog for more resources or contact us today to learn how we can help you create a cost-effective, eco-friendly lighting system.