Why outside lighting is essential for all homeowners

Never have I valued my home’s outdoor space more than in the last 18 months! During Lockdown it served as an escape from work, my daughter’s playground and a place for us to relax in the evening. It made me realise how important outdoor space is for our well-being. So, it comes as no surprise that many of my enquiries over the last 18 months have been for installing outdoor lighting. 

The different ways outside lighting can help

1.      Increase your living space

Lighting can make an outside space into an additional living space and increase your capacity for hosting an event. During the summer it is a chance to extend the long days into the night with exterior lighting to light up the party. 

2.      Support your wellbeing

It can support your wellbeing, transforming a backyard into a sanctuary. Using lighting in creative ways can create individual spaces or attractive features in your garden. It has been well documented that access to green spaces and gardening, in general, has an enormous benefit to those struggling with stress and other mental health problems. Thrive, a charity dedicated to encouraging the use of gardening to help people feel better regularly cites studies supporting the view that access to green spaces is good for us.

3.      Improve your security

Outside lighting can also help with your home’s security. When darkness falls and you do not want people outside your home, a security light is a good way to shed light on those who come lurking around.

4.      Make life easier

Outside lighting also has a practical function, serving as a guiding light for your front door key after long twelve-hour shifts at work! No more tripping over the kids' toys on the way to the garage either!

How do outside lights work?

A light can simply work off a switch or via a PIR Sensor (Passive Infrared Sensor). These sensors have various settings on them that allow you to control the function of your outside lights:

LUX

The sun icon indicates the PIR sensor will operate at all times during daylight and darkness. The moon icon indicates that the PIR sensor will operate in total darkness only.

SENS

This is the setting for the PIR sensitivity to movement. This means the light will come on if movement is detected.

TIME

This setting determines how long the light is left on after it is triggered. 

Why not have the best of both worlds? If you need a light to switch on and off via a traditional switch, but also want it to be triggered by movement, use a PIR override switch. All you need is some extra cabling to perform this function. 

Take extra precautions with outside electrics

Any electrics installed outside must meet certain criteria to be safe. This equipment must be able to stand up to the elements, additional water, wildlife, and the sun. Always check your products conform to all safety requirements. This is why it is really important that electrical work is carried out by an electrician who knows the requirements and knowledge so the installation is installed correctly.

If you are interested in adding electrical lights outside, contact A Bathe Electrics for your outside electrical installation needs.