LED lighting has become one of the most popular options for home and commercial use. LED, or light-emitting diode, are highly energy efficient, using as much as 85% less power than incandescent and halogen bulbs. With outdoor lighting becoming more and more a necessity as much for its aesthetic value as for its function, find out how you can optimize outdoor LED lighting for your home or business with these tips.
Picking the Right Brightness
The main function of outdoor LED lighting is to illuminate areas such as patios, balconies, pathways, gardens, and backyards. Hence, brightness is a key factor to consider. When choosing LED lighting, check the brightness of the bulb or unit. This is usually expressed in lumens.
For comparison, consider that one lumen is equal to one candle light viewed from 12 inches away. If a bulb is labeled as having 100 lumens, then it can give the brightness equivalent to the light of 100 candles. Essentially, the higher the lumens figure, the brighter the light.
Efficiency
Wattage refers to the amount of power that the light uses. Since outdoor LED lighting uses less energy than incandescent lights, LED lights are typically labeled with two figures. For example, a bulb labeled as 50 watts equal – 8 watts, means that it has the lighting power equivalent to a 50-watt bulb but consumes only as little energy as an 8-watt bulb.
Sensors
Sensors are optional but quite useful, particularly in large backyards and gardens. Motion sensors can turn on automatically if the unit detects movement, while light sensors will react to light or darkness. Some types of outdoor LED lighting have sound sensors and will turn on when they detect noise.
Design and Aesthetic Elements
Design is an important factor to consider when buying outdoor LED lighting. While there are hundreds of styles to choose from, consider minimalist and unobtrusive designs that work particularly well with most homes and commercial buildings. Klus Design LED lights, for example, offer a wide range of lightweight yet stylish modern options for different outdoor lighting needs. They can be concealed or displayed, used as backdrop or focused lighting for displays and facades.
Choosing Wisely
Outdoor LED lighting is not exactly the cheapest option available but prices are becoming much more affordable. Led lighting, however, has a better lifespan than ordinary bulbs, which equates to better cost savings over the long term.