Homeowners spend a lot of time and effort keeping their homes looking good both inside and out. You might add a new coat of paint to the walls or add more landscaping to improve your home’s aesthetic. 

Outdoor lighting is one great way of maintaining your home’s kerb appeal. Unfortunately, there are many outdoor luminaries that take up a lot of energy. The best way to avoid this issue is by investing in low-energy outdoor lighting. 

These special luminaries deliver energy savings without affecting the light’s illumination. If you want to learn more about these fixtures, here is everything you need to know about low-energy outdoor lighting.

What Is Outdoor Lighting?

Before we look at low-energy outdoor fixtures, let’s take a look at what outdoor lighting is and how it works. This will help you create an excellent design for your property. 

Outdoor lighting refers to luminaries that are specially designed for the exterior of a building or outdoor space. Since these lights will be on the outside of your building, they are resistant to a lot of harsh elements. You can easily find outdoor lights that are weather-resistant and dustproof. 

Apart from this, outdoor lights are also great for security. Motion sensor outdoor lighting maintains security and saves energy. 

To create the best lighting design, make sure that your indoor lights match the outdoor ones. This will help make your design look more seamless and appealing. 

For many people, creating an outdoor lighting design can seem complicated, especially if you have to purchase special fixtures. 

In some cases, you can get away with installing indoor fixtures outside your property, but there is no guarantee this will work as efficiently as an outdoor light. So, always choose special outdoor lighting for better illumination and peace of mind. 

For some of the best quality outdoor lighting, visit Meteor Electrical. We use our industry-backed experience to only provide the best appliances possible. 

For lighting, browse through our excellent luminaries that provide comfort and convenience. Our outdoor lighting range covers only the best and most innovative luminaries available in Ireland and the UK. 

Starting Your Outdoor Lighting Design

Now that you know what outdoor lighting is, here is how you can start planning your lighting design. 

First, you should consider the design and style of your fixtures. While illumination is important, you also want to go for fixtures that look good with your property. 

Outdoor lighting comes in various styles and designs to fit every homeowner’s design aesthetic. Whether you prefer a modern look or have a vintage traditional home, there is something to fit every design element.  

Another essential factor to consider is brightness. Exterior lighting should bring your outdoor space to life. 

Whether you are using these lamps for security, landscape, or even just a dramatic effect, you must choose outdoor lighting that can transform the outlook or appearance of your building. 

Additionally, you can use exterior lighting to create a path for people visiting your commercial property. If your property gets particularly dark at night, a lit-up pathway will help prevent any potential injuries. 

When designing the outdoor lighting space, it is important to understand how these luminaries will integrate with your building and the surrounding area. This will help create a seamless and aesthetically pleasing appearance. 

What Are Low Energy Lights, And Why Are They Important? 

With rising energy prices, many consumers want a fixture that will help them save on energy costs. 

Even with outdoor lighting, you must look for luminaries that don’t consume a lot of energy. The solution to this problem is energy-efficient outdoor lighting. 

Low-energy lighting reduces energy consumption without affecting the brightness. An energy efficient light fixture consumes less energy to perform the same function as a standard light. These qualities are at the core of energy efficient lighting. 

If you are familiar with traditional lighting, you might be wondering how this works. Low energy lighting is designed in such a way that its energy consumption does not relate to its brightness. 

A low energy light bulb could consume as much as 6 watts to produce excellent illumination. That’s not all, energy efficient lights are also durable, so you can keep using them for a long time. This way, you cut down on maintenance and replacement costs. 

Low Energy LED Outdoor Lighting

If you want to save more on your outdoor lighting, choose low energy exterior lights. When it comes to energy efficient lighting, many people prefer using LEDs. 

Energy saving LED light bulbs work well in both domestic and commercial applications. These bulbs come in a linear fluorescent lamp or strip light format, which is commonly used in the workplace, industrial and commercial settings. 

For household properties, you can find standard LED bulbs in various designs. As mentioned before, the structural component plays a key role in a light’s efficiency, and an LED bulb is no different. 

Due to their physical makeup, LED lights are far more efficient than other light bulbs, especially incandescent lights. Halogen bulbs are commonly found in outdoor lighting, but LEDs outperform them as well. 

LED bulbs use 90% less energy than an incandescent or halogen light bulb of similar brightness. 

The structural component of LEDs makes a key difference in this conversion because, in other light models, most of the energy would get wasted as a heat emission. However, LED lights do not produce heat; therefore, there is no waste. 

Another great benefit of using LED light bulbs is the longer lifespan. Since there is no thermal emission, the LED bulb does not suffer any damage and therefore does not need constant replacements. A well-built LED light bulb can last 25 times longer than any other light bulb.

Switch To Low Energy Outdoor Lighting

Lights are such an integral part of our lives which is why their energy consumption is often unnoticed. Despite their small size, light fixtures take a significant amount of energy. If you have inefficient light, you could be wasting a lot of energy costs. 

When it comes to purchasing energy efficient lights, many have high upfront costs. This might discourage you from purchasing this light. But it is essential to understand that low energy lights pay for themselves after use. 

Energy efficient lighting provides a multitude of benefits that will help you in the long run. With the rise of climate change awareness, consumers are also seeking environmentally friendly and sustainable lighting products. 

LED lights are a great way to make meaningful changes to your home. These lights also do not contain any harmful chemicals that make disposal challenging. 

Standard light bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury which is highly toxic when released. Even broken shards of incandescent light bulbs can lead to mercury build-up in groundwater. 

Energy efficient LEDs can also be recycled easily, unlike other traditional bulbs. Therefore, it is best to replace these lamps with more sustainable options. 

With these qualities, LED outdoor lighting is an obvious choice as it helps in multiple areas. So, always choose these luminaries for your exterior lighting design. 

How Do LED Outdoor Light Compare To Halogen Lamps?

As we have mentioned before, halogen lamps are a popular choice for outdoor lighting; however, these are not as energy efficient as LEDs. 

To get a better understanding, let’s compare these two fixtures and see which performs the best.  

Brightness Factor

Most metal halide lamps have a larger frame, which can produce more brightness. While you may enjoy this illumination for some time, the lamps will eventually start breaking down. This is because metal halide lamps have a weak staying power. 

On the other hand, LED outdoor lights use lower wattage to produce high-quality illumination that lasts a long time. 

The Structural Component

The main reason why LEDs perform so much better than halide fixtures lies in their design. Metal halide lamps contain a combination of metals, including mercury, that is evaporated into an inert gas. This gas is contained in the glass casing of the lamp structure. 

In comparison, LEDs contain a solid-state semiconductor component. While both technologies produce high-quality lighting, LEDs use energy more efficiently and last a lot longer. 

LEDs also require less intensive maintenance if you are using them for a long time. With metal halides, the more you use them, the quicker you will need to replace them. 

Operation Time

Another downside of metal halide outdoor lighting is the operation time. These lights have a longer warm-up period than LEDs. This means you will end up wasting energy without enjoying any brightness. 

Some lamps can take 15 minutes to turn on completely, and you also need to give these lamps a cool-down period before turning them back on again. 

With low-energy outdoor lighting, you never have to worry about this problem. These lights instantly turn on/off without affecting their brightness. 

Risk Factors

Some metal halide lamps also carry the risk of explosion. With the combination of hazardous gasses inside the fixture, there is a higher risk of injury associated with these lamps. In comparison, LEDs are much safer for both indoor and outdoor use. 

Failure Components

In any light fixture, there are failure components. LEDs' most significant failure component is their gradual decline in light output. 

However, LED lamps usually operate with multiple light emissions in a single lamp, which means the loss of two emissions does not result in the failure of the entire luminaire. 

On the other hand, metal halide lamps experience a phenomenon called cycling. This is when the lamps switch on and off without any human adjustment. 

Shortly after this, the lamps stop working altogether. With these qualities in mind, it is clear that LED lighting is far superior to other forms of luminaries. 

What Are The Different Types Of Outdoor Lighting Fixtures?

Once you have decided on low energy outdoor lighting, you must decide the type of fixture you want. As mentioned before, outdoor lighting comes in a wide variety of fixtures that can suit any home design. 

Each fixture also has a specific purpose which can help your lighting design. Here are some of the best options for low energy outdoor lighting. 

Bollard Light Fixtures

This type of lighting is commonly found in both residential and commercial buildings due to its high level of functionality and illumination. 

Bollards are often used to indicate pathways and entryways to buildings. With bollard light fixtures, you can ensure a scenic pathway and maintain your safety. 

These outdoor light fixtures often come in a round or square configuration, and you can choose from several stylish designs and finishes. For better efficiency, go for a Bollard fixture with an LED bulb. 

Lanterns And Wall Light Fixtures

If you want understated outdoor lighting, consider adding lanterns and wall light fixtures. Generally, these lights are used in household properties to illuminate verandas and entryways. However, you can also similarly use them to illuminate commercial buildings. 

Mount these lights vertically to get the best lighting possible. Wall lights are extremely popular due to their durability and aesthetic. These lights come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and finishes to suit any decor design. 

Since these lights don’t provide high-intensity illumination, they are often used as accent or ambient lighting instead of general lighting. You can use wall light fixtures and lanterns to highlight any entry points. 

Ground Lights

Ground lights are a popular choice when it comes to low energy outdoor lighting. These luminaries are much smaller than other maps and work as a discreet light source. 

Ground lights are typically used to illuminate pathways and are placed flush into the ground. This gives them a recessed minimalist appearance that is efficient and aesthetically pleasing. 

You can install ground lights into several floor materials, including concrete, for a minimalist and clean finish. 

If you have steps leading to your building, you can also use them as step luminaries. This will provide additional illumination to anyone accessing your home and reduce stair-related accidents.  

Does Motion Sensor Lighting Save Energy?

Another great way of cutting down your energy consumption is by adding motion sensor lights. These luminaries only switch on when they detect movement; otherwise, these lights stay off. 

You can add these lights to the busiest parts of your property to reduce extra energy costs. If you want to opt for these fixtures, you must choose between two different sensors: microwave or PIR.   

Microwave vs. PIR

Microwave motion sensors have better functionality than ordinary lamps. This feature makes the light more efficient with its added controls. The added functions are so convenient you never have to operate your lighting manually. 

Microwave sensors are also great if you are installing outdoor lights in areas that are hard to reach. The sensors can work well in almost any environment, even in areas that are not well suited for other sensors. 

These include high-heat areas that can easily set off photo sensors. This quality makes them one of the most versatile sensor systems on the market. 

On the other hand, PIR sensors are designed to detect heat signals, and they do this by calculating the ambient temperature of the area. This temperature is measured through the sensor’s detection beams. 

When the PIR detects a temperature difference, the sensor becomes activated and switches the lighting on. When the detection beams sense the threshold temperature again, the lights switch off.

Out of these two sensors, the microwave is the best option as it provides consistent quality throughout its operation. 

PIR sensors are highly sensitive to temperature levels, so they are not versatile for many applications. These sensors also tend to give more false alarms making them less efficient than microwave sensors.  

Now that you know what each sensor adds to your lighting, choose the best one according to your needs.

How To Choose The Best Low Energy Outdoor Lighting?

Now that you know all the different types of outdoor light fixtures and how they work, it is essential to look at certain factors before you make a purchase. 

The perfect outdoor lamp can do so much more than improve the atmosphere of your building. Here’s how you can find some of the best low energy outdoor lightings.

The Budget And Cost 

If you have ever remodelled a home, you know just how high costs can rise. One of the best ways to avoid this problem is by creating a budget and sticking to it. 

If you want to add outdoor lighting to your property, it is crucial to think of the costs before making a purchase. 

There are many options ranging from various price points; therefore, you must have a lighting budget in place. 

Think Of The Lumen Output

If you are purchasing a light bulb, chances are you are thinking of its brightness. Even with low energy outdoor lighting, you need to consider the lumen output.

As you might remember, the wattage of an LED does not indicate its quality. Since these lights consume less energy by design, you should look for their lumen output. 

Different areas of your property will require a specific lumen level, so make sure to assess the factor before purchasing. 

Consider The Placement

Another important factor to consider includes light placement. Strategic outdoor lighting placement can add depth to your building. Remember, not all light fixtures work well in every location, so plan this part carefully. 

For example, wall lights might work well for the entrance of your building, but they might not provide sufficient lighting for other sections of the property. 

Making a list of all the areas you want to illuminate will help you choose the best fixture possible.

Make Your Property Shine With Meteor’s Luminaries

For some of the best low energy outdoor lighting, visit Meteor Electrical. Here you can browse through high-quality luminaries trusted by our industry experts. 

We carry several outdoor LED fixtures that will provide excellent illumination without the high energy costs.