Best Outdoor Lighting to Illuminate Exterior Space

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 19, 2024
It is hard to imagine a private house plunged into complete darkness when the sun is down. This is because all house owners use outdoor lights to illuminate the porch, terrace, back and front garden, driveways and path, garage barn, or any other auxiliary structure entrances. If you look for the best outdoor lighting solution for your homestead, in our review we’ve compared 5 top-selling outdoor lamps to help you make your choice. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
POWER SOURCE
BULB TYPE
POWER
LIGHT CHARECTERISTICS
EXTRAS
WARRANTY
 
PROS

Thanks to the optical lens design, the divergent light beams get as concentrated as possible, which further increases the clarity of the view. This lighting system is not afraid of extreme weather conditions, including showers, hot sun, or severe frosts.

CONS

The strength of the frame may be questionable.

OUR VERDICT

The Quntis outdoor 6 pack lighting offers you flexible installation. The lamps are energy efficient and economical, automatically charged by the sun and then run for 6 up to 12 hours, depending on the selected brightness mode.

detailed parameters
POWER SOURCE

Solar powered

BULB TYPE

LED (up to 50,000 hours lifespan)

POWER

~ 20 W (24 LED bulbs)

LIGHT CHARECTERISTICS

‎800 Lumens, 6000~6500K (Cold White), 120° Lighting Angle

EXTRAS

2 adjustable brightness modes, 90° rotation adjustment, IP65 waterproof, Wall- & ground-mounted design, Auto on/off & memory function

WARRANTY

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

In Dusk to Dawn mode, the lights will only turn on in the evening, which will significantly reduce energy bills. At the same time, you can always set the Manual Mode so that the light is constantly on even at night.

CONS

The manufacturer's instructions are not complete.

OUR VERDICT

The Amico street light with built-in motion sensor is quick and easy to install with hassle-free wiring. Thanks to adjustable side panels, you can direct the light source where you want it.

detailed parameters
POWER SOURCE

AC, Hardwired (120 V)

BULB TYPE

LED (50,000 hours lifespan)

POWER

40 W (LED lamps)

LIGHT CHARECTERISTICS

4000 Lumens, 5000K (Cool White), Max 270° Lighting Angle

EXTRAS

3 mode control, Weatherproof, Motion sensor, Wall mounted and soffit mounted

WARRANTY

5 years

PROS

Fitted with 40 LED lamps, this model boasts impressive light coverage illuminating a pretty large area. Thus, at the 20' mounting height, it covers the area of 82'x82'.   

CONS

Mounting bolts included in the set are too long and might require replacement. 

OUR VERDICT

If you look for a powerful light fixture to brighten not only the front or back of your house but also almost the whole adjacent yard and garden, the LED outdoor lighting from Torch is a really good option to go for. Offering the light capacity of a 250W incandescent bulb, it will consume times less energy and let you save on your electricity bills.

detailed parameters
POWER SOURCE

AC, Hardwired (110-120 V) 

BULB TYPE

LED (up to 50,000 hours lifespan)

POWER

35 W (40 LED bulbs)

LIGHT CHARECTERISTICS

3500 Lumens, 5000K (Cool White), 120° Lighting Area

EXTRAS

Dusk-to-dawn photocell, IP65 weatherproof housing, 2-way mounting (post-mount or wall-mount)

WARRANTY

5 years 

PROS

268 super bright LEDs can illuminate an area of ​​as much as 746 sq. ft., while the power consumption is very low (only 18 W). A sensitive motion sensor will help you guard your premises.

CONS

The motion detection can be a bit wonky.

OUR VERDICT

The LECLSTAR solar outdoor light is fixed without any wires or adapters; you'll only need the screws. A durable ABS body will withstand any bad weather in winter or summer.

detailed parameters
POWER SOURCE

Solar powered

BULB TYPE

LED (up to 30,000+ hours lifespan)

POWER

18 W (268 LED beads)

LIGHT CHARECTERISTICS

1800 Lumens, 6500K (Cool White), Max 270° Lighting Angle

EXTRAS

Built-in PIR motion sensor, IP65 waterproof, 4400 mAh battery capacity, Wall mountable

WARRANTY

Lifetime

PROS

A motion sensor is distinguished by pretty hight detection range and sensitivity. It will detect even the slightest motion at the distance of up to 30 feet and within the area up to 150° around.

CONS

A bulb is not included in the set. 

OUR VERDICT

Made from black-finished brass and clear glass, this model strongly reminds 19th-century street lanterns and will become a perfect decorative accessory for almost any yard. Besides, depending on the area you need to light up and the final lighting effect you seek, you can use either an incandescent bulb or an LED lamp. 

detailed parameters
POWER SOURCE

AC, Hardwired (110-120 V) 

BULB TYPE

Incandescent or LED bulbs (not included) 

POWER

Depends on a bulb type

LIGHT CHARECTERISTICS

Not specified 

EXTRAS

Motion activated (150°, 30 feet detection range), IP65 weatherproof housing, Manual override option, Wall-mount

WARRANTY

3 years 

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Quntis Inc 6 Pack

Bright & Economical Solar Solution

Light up your premises after dark – and do it in style. The impressive 6-pack outdoor landscape lighting by Quntis will let your house, patio, or driveway shine at night just like on those expensive mansion shots. Also, no inflated energy bills, as this system works on solar power.

The super bright 6500K solar spotlights come with 24 LEDs and a singular optical lens design. This allows you to keep the darkness out – and put up a unique light show each night. These lights are 50% brighter than the others, as they concentrate the divergent light beams at the peak of their ability. You’ll easily notice the difference between your old outdoor lighting and this new, stunning system.

What’s also great about Quntis is that it can be wall- or ground-mounted. Just stick the lights into your lawn by the pool or wall-mount them with screws included in the package. The possibilities are endless, so let your imagination soar – and get exactly what you want. Note that you won’t be tripping on annoying wires because there are none.

This lighting system is IP65 waterproof-designed. No rain, snow, or water jets will be able to damage it.

Review of Quntis Inc 6 Pack Solar Spot Lights Outdoor Landscape Lighting

Light Up Your Outdoors in Style

Quntis is known for their efficiency. The solar lighting pack is equipped with remarkable laminated mono-crystalline panels that have over 95% of pure silicon. This enables a light conversion boost from 16.5% to 20.5% and a 4-6 hour charging time in direct sunlight. The system turns off and recharges during the day, and when it’s night, it turns on automatically. That’s all; no switches or additional programming.

Great, but what about the cold season? Don’t worry, your lights will still get recharged if it’s cold, cloudy, or rainy outside.

Quntis offers a wide 120° angle to showcase your exterior on a whole new level. If you want to adjust the brightness of these spotlights, you’re welcome to choose from the two convenient modes: Low Light (45% brightness) and High Light (100% brightness). The low mode works for a longer time period and can be used for your garden or patio. As for the high mode, it will be perfect for a porch or driveway.

The angle of solar panel adjustment is 90° to catch the maximum direct sunlight, no matter the placement.

Summing up, the Quntis solar lighting system is what gives your outdoors a big style boost after dark.

Quntis Inc 6 Pack Solar Spot Lights Outdoor Landscape Lighting in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B09T6Y83SL

 

Amico 3 Head

Motion Tracking Spotlight

Always keep your outdoors in the spotlight. The Amico LED security lights will amaze you with their motion tracking system – and won’t drain your wallet due to huge energy consumption. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this product so great.

First, the motion sensor. The upgraded version is capable of an up to 75 ft. detection range and a wide 180° sensing angle. Now your active kid – or pet – won’t get out of your sight after dark. And if a neighborhood stray that is at odds with your critter tries to break in, you’ll know about that firsthand. Amico always keeps your premises under a watchful eye.

If you happen to live on a farm or in a remote location with no streetlights, this product will be a real lifesaver.

Next, let’s talk about the Dusk to Dawn mode. It allows the lights to turn on automatically at dark – and turn off in the daylight. This is made possible with an upscale photocell sensor.

Amico is not there to inflate your energy bill. In fact, it helps you save up to 80% with the 40W, 4000 Lumen LED lights. A great solution for your home that’s worth the price tag and your expectations.

Review of Amico 3 Head LED Security Lights with Motion Sensor

Customizable to a T

This lighting system is highly automated, but if you want to turn it on and shut it down by hand, no problem. Use the manual mode with the on/off switch, and you’re good. Now the system works as much as you want it to, and exactly when you need it to.

Installing the outdoor lights and adjusting their direction is an easy task. You don’t need to be tech savvy to do it yourself, although the manufacturer’s instructions could be somewhat more detailed. When you’ve mounted the system, try rotating the heads for a perfect lighting area. Note that the seal gauge is a bit excessive in size.

Is this product durable? The answer is, yes. The aluminum heads don’t give it to rust or corrosion, and the heat dissipation boosts the lifespan of this system up to 50,000 hours. It’s also IP65 waterproof and doesn’t fear rain or snow. You can install Amico not only at home but also at your garage or workstation.

The spotlights can be wall-mounted or soffit-mounted, depending on your needs.

Overall, Amico is a great solution for a family household or a single homeowner that value their comfort and security.

Amico 3 Head LED Security Lights with Motion Sensor in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07VMMTWHS

 

Torchstar LHBL-35W50PS

Exceptional Light Coverage

For most of us, outdoor lighting is a common thing today since there is hardly anyone who would like approaching a house plunged into darkness. Not only might you stumble over the porch steps but it might be even a hassle to fit a key into a lock hole. Besides, when it is completely dark outside, it greatly increases the risk and likelihood of robberies and thefts. For these reasons, every private homestead has at least an entrance light. However, many homeowners prefer illuminating the house all around to feel more confident and secure at night. And this is where the light coverage of the outdoor light fitting matters. This very parameter will define how many light fixtures you will need for efficient illumination. On top of that, the higher this parameter is the larger adjacent area you’ll be able to cover. With that in mind, Torchstar created the LHBL-35W50PS LED outdoor barn light which excels in light coverage and offers characteristics you would expect from a high-quality lighting unit.

This model belongs to a hardwired type of light fittings, which means it should be connected directly to an electric cable. Yet, you should not worry about your electricity costs. The fixture is fitted with LED lamps and won’t drastically affect the energy consumption. Moreover, a dusk-to-dawn photocell will control the lamp operation depending on surrounding natural light conditions and, thus, further improve the energy efficiency.

Speaking of the torch design, a light die-cast aluminium housing is extremely durable and rust-resistant ensuring excellent protection from damages while the lens is securely sealed protecting the light from weather impact that is proved by a high IP65 protection rating. Thanks to 2 mounting options, you can either attach the lamp to a wall or install it on a post depending on your lighting needs.

One of the biggest benefits of this model making it a top-seller is the light coverage it provides. This parameter varies by mounting height and can reach the maximum value of 82 feet when the light is mounted at the height of 20 feet. Hence, by using only 3-4 torches around the house, you can brighten up almost the whole garden and backyard as well.

If you need a powerful lamp to cover a maximum possible area, the Torchstar LHBL-35W50PS is one of the best dusk-to-dawn outdoor lights to go for.

Review of Torchstar LHBL-35W50PS Dusk-to-dawn LED Outdoor Barn Light

An Efficient Alternative to an Incandescent Lamp

Today LED lights confidently outcompete and replace incandescent bulbs, whether it comes to outdoor or interior lighting. The LHBL-35W50PS comes fitted with 40 LED lights that make a truly efficient alternative to an incandescent bulb in many ways. Boasting pretty low power consumption of only 35 watts, this LED torch perfectly replace a 250-watt incandescent lamp. Besides, it boasts an impressive lifespan of 50,000 hours which is almost 10 times longer than a lifespan of any traditional incandescent lamp and significantly reduces bulb replacement and maintenance costs. Saving your budget, the Torchstar LED flood light will deliver a powerful lighting output of the incandescent lamp, meanwhile, ensuring long-lasting and consistent performance.

Torchstar LHBL-35W50PS Dusk-to-dawn LED Outdoor Barn Light in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $39.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01E9TZ5HA

 

LECLSTAR Motion Sensor

Securing Your Home

Your premises are safer than ever. Control the space around your house with the LECLSTAR motion sensor LED lights – and stop worrying about the thieves, neighborhood strays, or wildlife paying an unwelcome visit.

This system keeps track of everything around with an integrated 180° PIR motion sensor. It covers the area within 26 ft. effortlessly. You can customize the amount of light for the normal and motion sensor mode to save up on energy consumption. Now taking out the trash at dark is safe and easy, as is catching your pet outside the house.

Note that these lights are super bright at 100%, which is a welcome plus. LECLSTAR system comes with 268 LED beads that provide up to 1800 Lumens. Intruders don’t stand a chance with this powerful security spotlight, and it stays on for 30 seconds after being triggered.

Keep in mind that motion detector can be oversensitive, for example, in case of passing cars. It’s better to be safe than sorry, though.

This system is solar powered, with the battery capacity of 4400 mAh, which is pretty impressive in its class. When fully charged, it can function all night, but that also depends on the motion setting mode.

Review of LECLSTAR Motion Sensor Solar Outdoor Lights

Use It Anywhere You Want

Will you need help with installing these security lights? Most probably, not. You’ll only need 2 screws that are included in the package, although the instructions don’t specify the drill size. All you have to do is fix the lights to the wall without the excessive wires or adapters. In short, you can save money and not invite a handyman when dealing with LECLSTAR.

This system handles bad weather conditions like a champion. Made of strong ABS material, it’s IP65 waterproof and can be used under the rain. Cold or heat doesn’t damage the lights at all. Whether you’re located down south or up north, LECLSTAR will meet your requirements with ease.

The security lights can be used on the porch, above the garage door, or near the steps for your convenience. They are highly practical in the way that they will also trace your own motion and help you walk around without tripping. Also, no need to get out of the car to turn on the garage lights; you’ll get it automatically. Be sure to impress your guests or neighbors with this purchase – and be ready to answer eager questions.

To sum up, the LECLSTAR motion sensor lights are a pro choice for safeguarding your premises.

LECLSTAR Motion Sensor Solar Outdoor Lights in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07QNQ5TXZ

 

Heath/Zenith HZ-4150-BK

Decorative Appeal and Functionality Combined

If you look back to the 19th-century streets, public areas, and architecture, one of the first things you will remember is beautiful lanterns made from forged iron and glass. They are widely used in parks, public gardens, and squares for lighting up walkways and paths as well as in public buildings such as theatres, shops, churches, and government buildings, and residential houses for decoration and functional outdoor lighting. Besides, all city coaches were equipped with these lanterns to navigate through streets at night. Nowadays, there is a great tendency to using antique and old-fashion items in modern interior designs and exterior layouts and if you are one of the vintage style lovers, you will definitely like the Heath HZ-4150-BK outdoor lantern. Designed as a 19th-century coach lantern, this model offers all the basic features and benefits of premium-class outdoor lighting fixtures.

A black brass housing is not only strong and durable ensuring high-level intrusion and damage protection but it also won’t rust or decay over time retaining its attractive look for long. Though the lantern is a hardwired fixture, the installation is really easy and hassle-free. The package includes all the necessary hardware and detailed step-by-step instruction. The only tools you will need are a screwdriver, voltmeter, some insulating tape, and protective gloves. The model comes without a light bulb that some might regard as a drawback. However, the lantern is compatible with both incandescent and LED bulbs giving you an opportunity to choose the bulb to your liking and lighting needs.

If you look for perfect porch light fixtures or beautiful lanterns that will add a decorative appeal and functional lighting to your terrace or veranda, the Heath coach light is for you.

Review of Heath/Zenith HZ-4150-BK Motion-Activated Four-Sided Coach Light, Black Brass

Always on the Alert

The biggest advantage of the Heath coach lantern is a motion sensor activating the light at night when somebody passes by. The sensor stands out for an excellent detection range and sensitivity. It will detect even the slightest motion at the distance of up to 30 feet and within the area of 150 degrees. There are just two things to remember. The lantern should be mounted approximately 6 feet above the ground to get maximum coverage and performance, and since the sensitivity dial is located on the rear of the lantern, you should adjust it before the final installation. The motion sensor option makes this model one of the best outdoor motion sensor lights suitable for a home security system. Pair it with outside security cameras and no criminal will be able to approach your homestead unnoticed at night.

Heath/Zenith HZ-4150-BK Motion-Activated Four-Sided Coach Light, Black Brass in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $29.09
Stock In stock
ASIN B00002NAMH

 

Infographics

Comparison of Outdoor Lighting to Illuminate Exterior Space

What Is Outdoor Lighting?

People always strived to light up the outdoor area around their houses for better visibility and security at night. Before the invention of electricity, it was a pretty challenging task. Yet, many owners of large mansions and homesteads still used some kinds of torches, gas lamps, and oil lanterns to illuminate the entrance and adjacent territory. With an electric bulb, it became times easier to lighten the outdoor areas. However, one would not often come across bright outdoor illumination around private houses and yards since power costs were pretty high. The popularity of extensive outdoor lighting has grown after discovering the potential of LED technology that allowed illuminating large spaces in a more efficient and cost-effective way.

Modern outdoor illumination systems are usually low-voltage and consist of a light fixture, transformer, and a power cable. Within a whole variety of exterior lighting options available on the market today, you can find both permanent and portable solutions that can be used not only for illuminating the outdoor space but also for creating certain atmosphere or ambience.

Meanwhile, if you look for an efficient interior lighting solution to brighten your living space you might get interested in floor lamps, and in case you need something special to accentuate interior style, lava lamps will come in handy.

What Features to Compare

Light Fixture Type

In a broad sense, there are two major types of outdoor lighting: functional and atmospheric. Functional lighting units are commonly fixed in place and are intended for illumination of large outdoor spaces such as driveways, entrances, garden or backyard and paths as well as for spot illumination of particular areas including porches, terraces, decked or paved surfaces to help you navigate around and improve home safety, eventually, delivering a peace of mind since you will feel confident and securely protected. Functional units include wall lights, security lights, post lights, stake lights, and decking lights. Atmospheric lighting fixtures are meant to highlight architecture and accentuate landscaping at night or create some specific mood when you host a party or plan a romantic dinner in the garden. Atmospheric lights are often portable and can be used on occasion. These are lanterns, table lights, flameless candles, and string lights.

Depending on the lighting area, you can choose between spotlights illuminating a narrow area and in most cases used for styling and decoration and floodlights brightly illuminating a pretty wide area and usually installed where efficient functional lighting is required.

Power Source

A power source is a crucial point of consideration when choosing a lighting option that will meet your needs and application requirements. Thus, you can choose between electrical, solar-powered, and battery-powered lighting.

When it comes to electrical lighting, you can opt for plug-in units requiring connection to a power outlet or an extension cord or hardwire fixtures connected directly to electrical wiring. Electrical lights make a perfect choice when you need a consistent fixed light source.

Solar and battery-powered light units both provide wireless outdoor lighting that is extremely convenient for spotlighting and illuminating the areas with no access to the mains such as paths, flower beds, and distant garden areas that might need some extra light. The difference between these two is that solar lights accumulating sun energy during the day are activated when the sun goes down and usually last into the night while battery-powered lamps will emit light until the battery runs out. Solar models appear to be more effective since they will serve you as long as solar battery works while battery-powered fixtures require battery replacement more often.

Bulb Type and Light Characteristics

Commonly, you will have a choice between incandescent lamps and LED bulbs, with the latter used much more often due to their long service life, lifespan, energy-efficiency, and better light characteristics.

Light characteristics include brightness ranging up to 5000 Lumens for outdoor light fixtures and light color temperature varying from cool white light to warm natural colors.

Extras

Choosing an optimal outdoor lighting solution for your homestead, pay attention to some extra features you might come across that contribute to the usability and functionality of light fixtures. These are such options as dusk-to-dawn sensors or photocells automatically triggering overnight lighting, motion sensors turning on the light when somebody passes by, and various mounting options allowing you to mount the unit either on a wall or on a post. Besides, check for IP rating usually available for outdoor light fixtures that indicates the level of housing resistance to water, dust, and dirt.

Did you know?

What Is an IP Rating All About?

When you choose outdoor light fixtures, one of the essential characteristics to check is an IP rating relevant to all types of lamps, be it hardwired or wireless models. The Ingress Protection or International Protection code was specifically designed to provide non-experts in electricity issues with the information on how well the light fitting is protected from water and dirt intrusion. It’s a really important feature for exterior lights since they are constantly exposed to outdoor environment impact, be it dust, mud, and debris, or tough weather conditions. The code consists of two digits, the first referring to protection against solids and the second indicating a moisture protection level. Below, we provide an explanation for each number meaning to help you quickly decipher an IP rating and find the best light fitting suitable for where you are planning to install it.

The first digit standing for intrusion protection level ranges from 0 to 6:

0 - no specific protection

1 - protection from solid objects over 50 mm in size such as large tools and large body areas

2- protection against objects exceeding 12.5 mm diameter

3 - protection from tools and wires 2.5 mm thick and more

4 - protection from intrusion of solid bodies larger than 1 mm in size

5 - complete contact protection and limited dust protection which means that only large amounts of dust can affect the unit operation

6 - totally dust-proof

Moisture protection level varies from 0 to 8:

0 - no protection

1- protection against vertically falling drops like condensation

2- protection against water sprays tiled up to 15 degrees, conditions similar to light rain

3- protection against direct sprays tilted 60 degrees from vertical, conditions similar to strong rain

4- splashing protection when water might spray from any direction

5- protection from low-pressure water jets like those produced by a hosepipe

6- protection against powerful water jets from all directions

7 - protection from quick immersion up to 1 m in depth

8 - protection from prolonged immersion beyond 1 m

Normally outdoor lighting fixtures IP rating varies from 65 to 68 which means a pretty high protection level ensuring consistent, secure, and flawless operation.

Outdoor Lighting Tips for Beginners

Outdoor lights can not only add functionality and safety to your outdoor area but also completely change the space and overall atmosphere making it suitable for leisure and entertainment and giving your homestead a more finished and stylish look. If you simply need some extra light near the entrance door, garage, barn, or gateway, most likely, you’ll be able to choose a lantern or any suitable light fitting by yourself. Yet, creating a comprehensive outdoor lighting system with different types of light fixtures properly located around the house and cleverly scattered through the garden might become a real challenge for a beginner and novice landscaper. Of course, you can ask for some expert help or invite a professional landscaping designer, or you can try to make up your own scheme and restyle your outdoor territory by yourself following our helpful outdoor lighting tips below:

  1. Use a multi-dimensional lighting approach applying various types of light fixtures spreading light in different directions.

  2. Entrance lights not only ensure convenience and safety but also can highlight a beautiful entrance door making it the centrepiece of the house exterior. Wall-mounted fixtures and footlights work just great for the entrance.

  3. To navigate through your garden or yard at night, do not forget to install several stakes or post light along the paths and walkways and near gateways.

  4. Do not forget about accent lights that will accentuate architecture, plants, and water, Usually, these are hard-wired lamps or wireless fittings installed on the ground level and directed upward or vice versa placed higher and directed downward.

  5. To add ambience and create tranquil relaxing atmosphere, use gentle lights around decks, patios, and terraces, illuminate the pool, and decorate alcoves and garden dining areas with string lights.

  6. Since safety is always a priority, you can place several motion-sensor floodlights on exterior walls and on the fence.

FAQ:

Q: How will outdoor lighting affect my electricity bills?
A: Everything depends on the type and number of lights you are going to use. Using fixtures with incandescent or halogen bulbs will noticeably increase your electricity bill. Meanwhile, low-voltage LED lamps are energy saving. Hence, if you want to reduce the amount of electricity you use for exterior lighting to the minimum, you’d better opt for LED lights. For the garden and pathways, you can even choose wireless battery-powered fixtures that will add nothing to your electricity bill. In most cases, these are units with built-in solar panels that boast pretty long lifespan. The only thing you will need to take care of these type of light fixtures is to buy a new unit to replace the one that stopped working. However, it won’t hit your budget too much since they are offered at very reasonable prices. With the development of the LED technology, today, you can find an affordable lighting solution for any budget and needs.

Q: Should outdoor lighting meet any safety standards?
A: The majority of modern outdoor light fixtures and lighting systems feature a UL or ETL mark which means the products were tested by one of Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories, be it an Underwriters Lab (UL) or Electrical Testing Laboratories ETL), and fully comply with all safety and quality standards valid for this group of products.

Q: Can I install outdoor light fixtures myself?
A: When it comes to wireless outdoor light fixtures, be it stake lights or wall-mounted outdoor solar lights, the installation will be a real snap and requires no specific skills or meeting some specific regulations. However, with hardwired units, you should be more careful since in this case, lighting installation should be done in compliance with the National Electrical Code regulations and in some states require a certified electrician for this job. You’d better check the regulations for your state.

Q: What is a transformer and do I need one?
A: A transformer is an electrical device that transfers electric energy between several electric circuits using electromagnetic induction. In case of low-voltage outdoor lighting systems, it is used to reduce higher line voltage to 12 volts protecting the light bulb from burning out.

Q: What is an LED bulb?
A: The acronym stands for a light emitting diode. Belonging to semiconductor devices, it produces pretty bright light when an electric current passes through it. Unlike incandescent bulbs, an LED bulb does not get hot and boasts times longer lifespan.

Q: What is a photocell?
A: A photocell or a dusk-to-dawn sensor is a photosensor detecting natural light. It will turn on the light once the sun goes down and switch the lights off after sunrise. Photocell-activated lights automatically adjust for longer and shorter nights. Dusk-to-dawn light fixtures are widely used in home security systems and will save you the need to remember about controlling the lights.

Q: Are solar lights really that efficient?
A: Well, in terms of an energy-saving lighting solution, solar lights are really efficient and hold the leading position, especially for the regions where sunny weather prevails during the year. However, some people claim that a battery charge provided by a miniature solar panel of an outdoor light fixture is rather low. Yet, in practice, the charge is more than enough for the overnight lighting since LED lamps do not consume much energy. Besides, it will cost you nothing except the cost of a light fixture itself which is normally rather affordable. And to avoid replacing solar lamps too often, simply choose one of the best outdoor solar lights.

Sources:

1. Don Vandervort Outdoor Lighting Buying Guide, HomeTips. March 16, 2015

2. OUTDOOR LIGHTING BUYING GUIDE, Diy.

3. The Advantages of Landscape Lighting, SFGate.

4. How to Choose the Right Outdoor Lighting, Wayfair.

5. Different Types of Exterior Security Lighting, DoItYourself.

6. Landscape lighting, Wikipedia, September 17, 2017.

7. Bob Hursthouse Landscape Lighting Ideas, HGTV.

8. LED Lighting, Energy.

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Publish Date: 2018-01-19 10:21:15