5 Essential Considerations for Selecting Outdoor Area Lighting
LiteSource
|
March 26, 2024
|
Agency News
When it comes to selecting outdoor area lighting, the stakes are high for facility managers, architects, and lighting specifiers. The right lighting can enhance safety, improve aesthetics, and contribute to energy efficiency, while the wrong choice can lead to increased costs, safety hazards, and unsatisfactory illumination.
Here are five things to keep in mind when choosing outdoor area lights:
- Lighting Purpose and Requirements: Before diving into product options, clearly define the purpose of your lighting. Are you aiming to enhance security around a building's perimeter, illuminate a parking lot for safety and visibility, or accentuate architectural features for aesthetic appeal? The intended use will guide your selection in terms of brightness, color temperature, and beam spread. For instance, high-intensity floodlights may be ideal for security, while softer, warmer lights might be preferred for landscape features.
- Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: This is a top priority, not only for cost savings but also for meeting sustainability goals. LED lights are the gold standard for energy efficiency, offering longer lifespans, lower energy consumption, and reduced maintenance costs compared to traditional lighting technologies. Consider fixtures with high lumens per watt (lm/W) ratios and those that are ENERGY STAR® rated or meet DLC standards. Additionally, explore options with integrated solar panels or compatibility with renewable energy sources to further reduce your carbon footprint.
- Durability and Weather Resistance: Outdoor lights are exposed to the elements, making durability a critical factor. Choose fixtures designed to withstand the specific conditions they will face, whether it's extreme temperatures, moisture, or corrosive environments. Look for lights rated for wet locations (IP65 or higher) and those made with materials that resist corrosion and fading.
- Smart Controls and Flexibility: Many outdoor lighting systems offer features like dimming capabilities, motion sensors, and smart controls that can significantly enhance convenience, security, and energy efficiency. These features allow for adaptable lighting scenarios, such as dimming pathways during low traffic times or integrating with security systems for enhanced monitoring. Evaluate the compatibility of lighting options with existing smart building systems or IoT devices for future-proofing your investment.
- Design and Aesthetics: Lastly, the design of outdoor lighting should complement the architectural style and landscape design of the area. Consider the fixture's shape, color, and material, as well as the quality of light it produces. The right lighting design can elevate the visual appeal of a space, creating inviting outdoor environments that enhance the overall experience for occupants and visitors alike.
Choosing outdoor area lighting involves more than just picking fixtures. It requires a holistic approach that considers the purpose and requirements of the lighting, energy efficiency and sustainability, durability and weather resistance, smart controls and flexibility, and design and aesthetics. By keeping these factors in mind can help you make informed decisions that ensure your outdoor lighting meets both functional and aesthetic needs, ultimately creating safer, more welcoming, and energy-efficient spaces.
#LiteSourceNC #wemakelightingsimple #LEDlighting #lightingdesign #interiordesign #architecturaldesign #outdoorlighting #arealighting #parkinglighting