April 2001 | Sensible Home
Outdoor Lighting
by James Dulley
Dear Jim: I would like to add some outdoor security and decorative lights, but I don’t want to waste electricity. I am also concerned about "dark sky" problems. What type of lights do you recommend for my home? — Julia K.
Dear Julia: With rolling blackouts and skyrocketing electric bills, wise and efficient use of outdoor lighting is critical. A single 150-watt floodlight can cost $60 per year to operate at night. Also, you’re correct: some areas’ excessive outdoor light can lead to a form of pollution that keeps the night skies from ever being truly dark.
A combination of shielded efficient HID (high-intensity discharge) lights and motion-sensing lights can be effective without creating excessive light pollution. One or two security lights should deter a thief from approaching your home. If not, the motion-sensing lights will likely frighten the intruder away.
HIDs aren’t extremely bright; "high-intensity" refers to the types of light fixtures and bulbs. There are several types commonly used for homes: high-pressure sodium (HPS), metal halide (MH) and mercury vapor (MV). These and fluorescent lights are much cheaper to use than incandescent floodlights.
"Shielding" means directing the light where it is needed instead of indiscriminately flooding an entire area. Many new security lighting fixtures are designed to provide illumination in only certain directions. Select fixtures with electric eyes so they go off automatically in the morning.
As an example, several of my neighbor’s security floodlights shine in my bedroom window all night long. By using a less bright, shielded light, they could save $50 per year in electric bills and I would get more sound sleep.
The new efficient outdoor light fixtures are also stylish with durable beveled, opal, diamond, and prismatic clear and frosted lens. The styles include antique light posts and lanterns, contemporary real-wood bollards, shielded floodlights, mushroom, floating pond, in-ground, etc.
In addition to security issues, consider how the lights will brighten outdoor areas used for entertaining. Mercury vapor lights will enhance your landscaping and gardens and they can produce a realistic moonlighting effect.
High-pressure sodium lights are the most efficient. One 35-watt high-pressure sodium bulb provides more light than five standard 40-watt incandescent bulbs combined. Metal halide lights, which are slightly less efficient, produce a cool white light for brilliant blues and greens.
Fiber optic lighting is effective and easy to install. You just run thin plastic cables (no electric wiring) to various fixtures in your yard. One central light bulb provides light to all the cables.
Write for (or instantly download) Update Bulletin No. 898, buyer’s guide of fourteen HID and fiber optic security/decorative light manufacturers listing styles, bulb types, bulb efficiency, features, and cost-to-operate charts. Please include $3.00 and a business-size SASE. James Dulley, Conscious Choice, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244.
© 1999-2003, James Dulley. Visit dulley.com for more.
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