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LED flood lighting - need tips

Last post by Nancy, 8 years ago

Posts: 5

Views: 1019

I am about to buy some LED flood lights and would appreciate any tips people have

By Charlotte 8 years ago
Make sure you are aware of the flood light's IP rating - most of the time it is IP44 which is fine for the majority of applications, but sometimes you need it higher eg if you live in a cyclone area

By Maria 8 years ago
Brightness is obviously the most important thing - these days you completely ignore wattage, it is lumens you need to look at.

By David 8 years ago
Beam angle is something you need to consider.

By Johnson 8 years ago
A lot of flood lights these days come with sensors, which is great for safety and security. Also, consider installing a timer on the switch - that can save you a lot of power.

By Nancy 8 years ago

What is an outdoor light with a PIR sensor?

Last post by wright_henry, 8 years ago

Posts: 6

Views: 917

I have a new light that has a 'PIR' sensor - what does that mean?

By grey_chri... 8 years ago
A PIR sensor is a type of motion sensor.

By Charlotte 8 years ago
PIR stands for "Passive Infrared", and means that the sensor detects movement by heat changes, in other words if something with heat (like a human body) moves in front of the sensor, the heat differential will set it off.

By Cynthia 8 years ago
PIR is passive infrared. Infrared is the band of electromagnetic energy which we feel as heat. Passive is because the sensor just sits there, it does not emit energy.

By bing_mart... 8 years ago
PIR is a sensor that uses heat. Most PIR sensors work between 5m and 12m, depending how sensitive they are.

By jones_eth... 8 years ago
The great think about PIR sensor is that they are only sensitive to heat, so for example branches or leaves flying past will not set it off.

By wright_he... 8 years ago

how will cold weather impact the lifespan of outdoor LED lights?

Last post by Cynthia, 8 years ago

Posts: 4

Views: 869

I am wondering, how Will cold weather impact the lifespan of outdoor LED lights?

By david_gre... 8 years ago
It will impact it in a good way, ie the LED lights will handle the cold very well - heat is a problem for LED lights so the cold works very well for them.

By simon_jac... 8 years ago
Outdoor led lighting are without a hesitation your finest option for lighting outdoor areas in winter weather

By jones_eth... 8 years ago
That cold winter freeze is already starting to move into the city, so don’t wait to set up your new LED lighting system.

By Cynthia 8 years ago

How much energy do I conserve by turning my LED outdoor lights off during the day?

Last post by simon_jacob, 8 years ago

Posts: 3

Views: 819

I am wondering, how much energy do I save by turning my LED outdoor lights off during the day?

By smith_eli... 8 years ago
It depends on your lights. Some light consume very little energy, while some consume a lot more. That said, LED lights given the same brightness levels, consume much less energy than any other type of lights.

By Maria 8 years ago
You are definitely using up energy and $ so i would install timers that automatically turn off outdoor LED lights during the day time.

By simon_jac... 8 years ago

What exactly is the beam angle angle of a flood light?

Last post by James, 8 years ago

Posts: 3

Views: 852

I was wondering, what exactly does the beam angle of a floodlight measure?

By Charlotte 8 years ago
The beam angle tells you what area in front of the flood light will be illuminated. The brightness of the flood light is measured in lumens. This is taken at the centre of the flood light's beam where it is brightest, and then you keep on angling out until the brightness is 50% of the centre. You double that angle (because the flood light obviously shines to the left and right of the centre) and that is the beam angle.

By Chen 8 years ago
Correct - that is the standard way to calculate it, but it worth noting that the light continues to spread out past the beam angle, into what is known as the beam field, which is the angle until the brightness is 10% of centre brightness.

By James 8 years ago

What is the best patio lighting?

Last post by harriet_paul, 8 years ago

Posts: 8

Views: 954

Would appreciate some help in choosing good patio lights

By Martha 8 years ago
The great thing about choosing the best lighting for your patio is that there are loads of choices available. Your imagination is really the limit. Here are some of my favorites when it comes to outdoor lighting Well Lights - If you love the idea of using cleverly hidden ground lights then this type of lighting is perfect for you. Well lights can be buried on the ground so you don’t have to worry about knocking it about. The bulbs are water proof which means, it can light up your patio in practically any weather. sddadd

By Hanry 8 years ago
Solar deck lights are great. They are embedded in the ground, provide nice lighting, and need no power or maintenance other than a little wiping now and then.

By Hanry 8 years ago
Nothing beats string lights! They are very charming and make a great atmosphere.

By david_gre... 8 years ago
If your patio is covered then consider installing an outdoor fan with lights. You get superb illumination over a large area and get nice air flow as well.

By martin_wh... 8 years ago
These days there is a huge selection of outdoor ceiling lights, particularly outdoor downlights and outdoor pendant lights.

By smith_eli... 8 years ago
Given the patio will be adjoining the house, then an easy solution is to use wall mounted lights such as up down lights, or wall spotlights.

By thomas_is... 8 years ago
I would definitely go with solar lights. Economical and free to run.

By harriet_p... 8 years ago

My LED lights degrade wifi signals - why?

Last post by harriet_paul, 8 years ago

Posts: 4

Views: 734

My LED lights seems to be degrading my wifi signals, such as remote controls. Anyone have any ideas why?

By jones_eth... 8 years ago
I've never heard of that happening.

By Cynthia 8 years ago
I've also had that happen very rarely.

By Nancy 8 years ago
LED lights will not disable wifi. The only time this will happen is if the POWER SUPPLY to the LED light is a bit faulty, and this may cause problems that you mention.

By harriet_p... 8 years ago

Best Lights for Garden?

Last post by simon_jacob, 8 years ago

Posts: 7

Views: 851

Which lights are best for a garden?

By evans_ros... 8 years ago
I prefer lamp posts. They are magnificent looking and because they are high up, they provide excellent lighting.

By thomas_is... 8 years ago
It depends. If you are looking for a cost effective solution in terms of electrician then go for solar lights - particularly high grade / commercial grade solar lights, as these will last much longer and provide much better lighting at night, even on cloudy days.

By wright_he... 8 years ago
Spike lights are good.

By smith_eli... 8 years ago
If you garden is right next to your walls, then you can't get past installing outdoor wall mounted spotlights and flood lights.

By lucas_wat... 8 years ago
I agree that solar lights are the best alternative. They don't need any wiring, installation is DIY, and can be installed pretty much anywhere. Plus these days solar lights are excellent quality - they provide good lighting at night for many hours.

By martin_wh... 8 years ago
Solar fairy lights specially are good.

By simon_jac... 8 years ago

what is the best type of LED flood lights?

Last post by thomas_isaac, 8 years ago

Posts: 3

Views: 779

I am wondering if someone can provide me advice as to the best led flood lights

By nikita su... 8 years ago
The best type of flood light would be one with high IP rating, high IK rating, made of marine grade material like 316 stainless steel.

By lucas_wat... 8 years ago
There are lots of flood lights on the market but many of them are very cheap and low quality. Make sure they are from a reputable brand.

By thomas_is... 8 years ago

Are LED lights better for the eyes than other lights?

Last post by parkar_daniel, 8 years ago

Posts: 4

Views: 723

Someone told me that LED lights are better for the eyes than other types of lights, is that right?

By Cynthia 8 years ago
High quality LED lights produce almost no UV light, so yes this is much better for the eyes.

By bing_mart... 8 years ago
LED lights do produce UV rays but in very small quantities, so they are fine.

By evans_eva 8 years ago
LED lights produce must less UV rays than fluorescent and incandescent lights, and it is the UV which is most harmful to your eyes,

By parkar_da... 8 years ago

Recommendations for good landscape lights

Last post by David, 8 years ago

Posts: 5

Views: 863

I would appreciate recommendations for types of lights that can be used for landscape lights

By evans_ros... 8 years ago
Common landscape lights include path lights, bollard lights, solar lights and lamp posts.

By martin_wh... 8 years ago
Would highly recommend solar landscape lights. Eco friendly and these days extremely high quality ... they will illuminate quite a few nights even on consecutive cloudy and rainy days.

By brown_sie... 8 years ago
Flood lights work very well because you can use very few to illuminate large areas,

By Mike 8 years ago
Outdoor step lights are critical if your landscape has steps on it, otherwise people will trip over.

By David 8 years ago

What is the best colour temperature for outdoor lighting?

Last post by simon_jacob, 8 years ago

Posts: 7

Views: 876

I wonder, what is the best colour temperature for outdoor lighting?

By Charlotte 8 years ago
The short answer is: there is no best. It all depends on the mood and eye sensitivity. If you are trying to create a warm mood, eg on your patio or decking, go for warm white. However the eye is more sensitive to cool white, so for perceived brightness go for cool white.

By Chen 8 years ago
For commercial and industrial premises, use cool white as it is better for alertness. For home, always use warm white as it creates a very relaxing good atmosphere.

By Mike 8 years ago
Cool white and daylight white can make the outdoors appear very unnatural and frozen. Always go for warm white.

By Maria 8 years ago
Warm white better mimics flames and candles, hence use warm white.

By Daniel 8 years ago
Warm white better accentuates vegetation and trees.

By James 8 years ago
If you want security, then always go for cool white or daylight white. Otherwise stay with warm white for that rustic feel.

By simon_jac... 8 years ago

Is there a difference between garden lighting and landscape lighting?

Last post by jones_ethan, 8 years ago

Posts: 4

Views: 837

Someone told me that he is a "landscape lighting expert" not a "garden lighting expert". Is there a difference?

By russell_n... 8 years ago
I think landscape lighting is more refined and architectural and is usually for new homes.

By bing_mart... 8 years ago
Personally I think the terms are completely interchangeable.

By valentina... 8 years ago
Garden lighting is a subset of landscape lighting. Garden lighting is by definition about the garden. However landscape lighting is much more. It may include driveways, paths, parks, public facilities, stadiums, etc.

By jones_eth... 8 years ago

what wattage should I get for my outdoor light to keep my garden safe?

Last post by Johnson, 8 years ago

Posts: 3

Views: 839

Hi, I am getting a new light for my garden - what wattage should it be?

By John 8 years ago
The days of looking at Watts are LONG OVER! You should be looking purely at lumens.

By Chen 8 years ago
First of all, Wattage is a meaningless measure because LED lights give out illumination as vastly less Wattage. So look at lumens. Secondly, there is no answer to your question. It all depends on: - How big your garden is - How many other lights there will be - How high the light is - Colour temperature (human eye is more sensitive to cool colour temperatures) - Beam angle

By Johnson 8 years ago

How do I install outdoor lights without damaging my garden and impacting wildlife?

Last post by Mary, 8 years ago

Posts: 4

Views: 766

I want to install various types of outdoor lights, but without damaging my garden and affecting the wildlife there. How do I do this?

By Hanry 8 years ago
If there is wildlife there, then take that into account so you don't scare them away. Otherwise, the best thing is solar lights because that avoids having to dig up your garden to lay cables.

By martin_wh... 8 years ago
For wildlife, use soft lights and timers so the amount of hours the lights are on is minimized.

By simon_jac... 8 years ago
Lots of wildlife exists in the trees, so don't have lights pointing directly into the trees.

By Mary 8 years ago

Using lights for decorating my outdoor garden

Last post by Nancy, 8 years ago

Posts: 5

Views: 724

I wonder if someone can give me some suggestions as to what lights are best for decorating my garden?

By wright_he... 8 years ago
My recommendation would definitely be string lights. They are fantastic for decorations and really enhance the mood.

By cage_chri... 8 years ago
Spike lights and uplights are great.

By Cynthia 8 years ago
If your garden is next to your wall, then coach lights, up-down lights and spotlights are all fantastic at lifting gardens.

By James 8 years ago
LED lights are great, just make sure they are IP rated.

By Nancy 8 years ago

What is the best type of light for outdoors?

Last post by Mary, 8 years ago

Posts: 8

Views: 1006

What is the best light I should buy to illuminate my outdoors? Suggestions welcome...

By David 8 years ago
I think solar lights by far! Eco-friendly, easy DYI installation, no wiring etc. Perfect!

By Cynthia 8 years ago
I would recommend: - flood lights - coach lights - bollards - lamp posts - up down wall lights

By jones_eth... 8 years ago
If you want something that looks lovely and gives a great atmosphere, go for string lights.

By valentina... 8 years ago
I prefer outdoor wall lights, either pointing down or up/down lights.

By bing_mart... 8 years ago
Sensor lights are good, as they can provide great lights and be good for security.

By russell_n... 8 years ago
I think bollard lights are the best outdoor lights. They can provide excellent lighting, but are not too tall so can still be unobtrusive and blend in with your garden.

By evans_ros... 8 years ago
I've installed spike lights all around my garden, and they work wonders.

By Mary 8 years ago

How long does an LED flood light last?

Last post by Charles, 8 years ago

Posts: 2

Views: 813

I wonder how long is a LED flood light supposed to last?

By Charlotte 8 years ago
In flood lights like anything else, you get what you pay for. A good flight light will have a lifespan of 50,000 hours which is many years.

By Charles 8 years ago

Can I install an LED light bulb in a fitting that has a halogen or incandescent light bulb?

Last post by harriet_paul, 8 years ago

Posts: 3

Views: 931

I wonder - can I install an LED globe in a light fitting that currently has a halogen or incandescent globe?

By parkar_da... 8 years ago
Yes, the LED light bulb will have a lower wattage rating, so you can install it without any problems.

By ruby_walk... 8 years ago
The issue is to do with wattage. If a fitting is rated for say 60W than you can install any light bulb in it that is rated up to 60W. LED light bulb generally have very low wattage, so if a fitting takes a halogen or incandescent globe, it will definitely take an LED bulb.

By harriet_p... 8 years ago

What should I look out for in sensor lights?

Last post by harriet_paul, 8 years ago

Posts: 5

Views: 893

I am about to install outdoor motion sensor lights, what should I look out for?

By Maria 8 years ago
Biggest problem is light going on and off like a yoyo due to it being triggered by animals, etc. Also light going on and off can be very irritating to neighbours.

By Daniel 8 years ago
Make sure that you don't just rely on your electrician's "wisdom" in terms of what to install, and where to install it. Generally electricians know just about how to install something something. They know sweet nothing about the right motion sensor for the job, and even less about exactly the right location to install it - so do your research.

By Mike 8 years ago
Agree, lots of electricians I have had over the years have done a really bad job and even sometimes extremely unsafe jobs.

By Martha 8 years ago
Make sure regarding the sensor light you purchase that you understand its beam angle, the range of its motion sensor, and also how bright it is. Very easy to get a stadium strength motion sensor flood light to light a tiny garden, if you are not careful!

By harriet_p... 8 years ago

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