Looking for a project that will quickly give your home security, elegance and prestige? Adding outdoor lighting is the fastest, and likely the least expensive way to go! With the wide, and often confusing variety of options available, I hope to give you some easy points to consider.
Flood lights – Security
- watts-refers to the amount of energy used to produce light
- lumes-refers to the intensity, or brightness of the lamp/bulb in question
Most large retailers, like Home Depot, will have a small display set up with various types of light bulbs illuminated, side by side, so you can see the color produced, and the brightness of the bulbs being demonstrated. if you are considering a 100 watt bulb, make sure the intensity of the light will be bright, crisp and clear.
A) Halogen bulb, the least expensive initial purchase, will only last about a couple
Of thousand hours…..in addition, they take a bit to warm up, so the intensity. Of light when first triggered is not its peak. This is an important factor. When you are selecting a motion activated floodlight, that you want. To turn on as you, or anyone else approached your home.
Phillips 90 watt, 1350 lumes par38 bulbs
are about $8 each at Home Depot, remember, you will be changing these at about 2,000 hours (every three months)
B) LED bulbs are more expensive, but their life expectancy is far better, at around
6 years. They run about $45 each.
Ecosmart’s energy efficient 18 watt, only produces 850 lumes, but with that
Life expectancy, and far less costly energy use, just buy two! http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202324426/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
C) CFL bulbs (compact fluorescent bulbs) 23 watt 1200 lumes, the spiral shaped pioneer of consumer options in “green” lighting is a real energy miser. It can reduce the amount of
Energy used by up to 75% over standard fluorescents, and this 23 watt example produces the same illumination and brightness as its 90 watt consuming cousin, the traditional fluorescent bulb.
CAUTIO NARY note; be careful about fit. The screw in base is somewhat smaller than Usual, so if purchasing bulbs for a lamp already mounted, be sure to remove an old Bulb to bring with you and compare.
EcoSmart’s 23-Watt (90W) Soft White Par38 CFL Light Bulbs, a two pack
runs approximately $13.00.
Your floodlights will be mounted on parts of your home that are out of the way,
In order that they not be compromised easily by either storms, or intruders wanting to disable them. This makes the task of changing the bulbs more of a burden, so keep that in mind when deciding which type of bulbs you use. The LED’s lead the pack in life expectancy
Security lighting should be motion activated. Units operate on sensor, when the sun sets, the units will light when motion above. A certain level is sensed.
Good ones will light when a car, or a human sized entity approach, but will not when a mouse or chipmunk sized one does. Raccoons’ are iffy for most models. (Joke-please laugh now)
One final point to consider before making your purchase is the traffic at your driveway. If it is high, vehicles in and out frequently, then it is even more important you consider a lighting system that will serve a long life, while delivering crisp, clean brilliant light.
{ 2 comments }
outdoor lightings should be energy efficient, that is why we should use compact flurescent lamps or sodium vapor lamps.*:
good good…this post deserves nothing …hahaha just joking
…nice post 
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