Outdoor lighting is an important safety feature for the workplace. Well-lit properties
are less likely to be burglarized. They are also unlikely to be the scene of accidents
caused by dark pathways, where people might easily trip and fall. Compact fluorescent
lights are the perfect choice for outdoor lighting. Not only can they save you money, they
are also energy efficient. Compact fluorescents have to be changed infrequently, which
makes them a good choice for places where changing a bulb might be difficult. One note of
caution—if you live in a cold climate, be sure to buy a compact fluorescent lamp with
a cold-weather ballast. Devices such as timers or photocells can be used to turn lights on
and off at appropriate times.
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To save energy and money, don't burn lights all night long, except in
areas with actual all-night use or with extreme security concerns. For most security
purposes, motion-sensors can detect intruders and turn on lights when needed. Special
outdoor lighting fixtures can help to beautify your business. Illuminate pathways with
small ground level moon lamps, or light your front steps or entry way with post lanterns.
When planning outdoor lighting, make sure whatever you choose doesn't light up your
neighbor's property as well as your own. Be considerate and ensure that your lights stay
on your property. Today, more and more lighting manufacturers are making full cut-off
fixtures. This means that all light is directed down and to the sides as needed, and is
prevented from shining horizontally or upwards. The result is more light where you want it
for less electricity cost. The full cut-off fixture is ideal for perimeter parking because
it is not glaring and good visibility is created. |
Just as fluorescent lighting has improved in recent years, great advances have been
made in high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting. Primarily used outdoors and for large
areas like streets or parking lots, there are three kinds of HID lights: mercury vapor,
high-pressure sodium, and metal halide. All require ballasts, much like fluorescent
lighting. All take several minutes to warm up, so they are better suited to areas in which
lights stay on for long periods of time. Mercury vapor lights have been the most common
type of HID, but they have been replaced by the newer, more efficient
high-pressure sodium and metal halide lamps. High-pressure sodium lights produce the most
light—the most lumens—per watt, although the light has a yellowish tinge. Metal
halide lights are less efficient but produce a whiter, more natural light.
You can also use solar energy to power outdoor lighting. During daylight hours, a
photovoltaic (PV) panel generates electricity that is stored in a battery in most of the
low-power light fixtures. These lights can be turned on manually, they can be equipped
with light-sensing controls that turn them on automatically at dusk, or they can be
activated by motion-detectors. Most of the lower-priced models on the market do not
produce a great deal of light—they're definitely not reading lamps—but they are
very useful to light paths and steps around the yard. Using PV-powered outdoor lights is
an attractive alternative if your site is over 200 yards from the utility grid, or if you
don't want to run a power line through a site. PV power is low-maintenance and very
reliable, and installation is often as easy as pushing a stake on which the fixture is
mounted into the ground. Larger, brighter PV lights are also available, but these may
require additional light panels. Often these additional panels can blend attractively with
your building's architecture.
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