Outdoor LED bulb

Why and how to choose the right outdoor LED lighting?

Spring is coming bringing with it the desire to develop the exteriors of our homes!! In anticipation of summer evenings, this is an opportunity to review the lighting of gardens, terraces and balconies. But how to set up lighting that is both ecological and economical, while remaining efficient?

The importance of having a plan

Once you have decided on your lighting project, you might be tempted to go straight to purchasing and installing the equipment. However, in front of the many possible choices, a time of reflection can prove to be beneficial for your future installation!!

As a first step, it is essential to determine the aim of theexterior lighting that you are going to implement. An installation intended to illuminate a path used regularly at night will not have the same characteristics as that of a few mood lights to enhance the exterior decoration. In the first case, you will have to opt for a lighting solution strong enough to allow good visibility for users. In the second case and depending on the duration of use of the lamps, it will be essential to promote a low-consumption lighting solution.

The location of the lighting will also be a key element to consider. So to light up a place in the open air, or in a humid region, it will be essential to favor a waterproof solution and solid materials. The fixings will also have to be designed to withstand the weather. As pretty as your brand new LED garland is, if it flies away at the first gust of wind, it can quickly become problematic.

Read also:  Photos and plan of a wooden solar house

In general, your lighting solution must comply with NFC 15-100 which regulates low voltage electrical installations in France.

But then what are the different types of lighting and what are their preferred uses?

You will find a wide variety of outdoor LED lighting solutions!!

We can for example cite the timeless garden lamp post. They come in all sizes and shapes. To stick in the ground, or equipped with their own system of fixing the possibilities are multiple. In this category we can also mention the bollard light which is very similar. This type of lighting will be particularly well suited to illuminate your paths or mark out a path. They will generally be associated with a sensor solution allowing them to be switched on according to the outside light.

Outdoor spotlights/projectors are also relatively well known. They allow the lighting of a specific area of ​​your land, with a high light intensity. They are often found for lighting at gates or entrances. For this type of lighting, a motion detector and a timer are often associated in order to allow the triggering of the system in the event of passage only. The outdoor wall lamp works in a similar way, but will often deliver a lower light intensity.

Read also:  The natural insulation

A little more aesthetic, there are recessed lighting solutions. The latter can just as easily border a path, light up an entrance, a terrace or even a balcony. However, their installation and maintenance can be more complicated to implement!!

For mood lighting it will be possible to opt for garlands, lanterns or floor lamps. This type of lighting requires less power and it will often be possible to opt for a solar solution to avoid having to connect the lighting to the electrical network. On the other hand, you will have to devote particular care to the fastening systems of these different solutions. Checking their tightness will also increase their lifespan!!

Finally, the LED strip tends to find a place in exteriors in recent years. It can easily follow the contours of the elements of the house, the railings of stairs or even attach to your garden furniture. Sold by the meter, in the form of rolls, it is in principle relatively easily scored. This type of lighting will adapt to your energy supply solution without difficulty. Covered with a layer of waterproof silicone, it generally has good resistance to weather and humidity.

Read also:  How to arrange your garden furniture in an eco-responsible way?

And the ecological side in all this?

In terms of design and the type of lamp chosen, the ecological impact between two different models remains quite low. It is possible to favor solid materials to prolong the life of the lighting system as much as possible, but it is on the side of bulbs and home automation that a real difference can be made!!

Using a led bulb considerably reduces energy consumption, saving up to 90% compared to filament bulbs, which have been banned for sale in Europe since 2012!! These bulbs now exist in different models and are generally compatible with all the lighting solutions mentioned above.

It is also essential to provide a type of ignition adapted to the use of the lighting system. Switches, timers, motion detectors, light sensors, all these solutions must be considered and chosen to optimize the quality of lighting according to needs!!

Finally, light pollution is also important to take into account. Lighting the key areas of your exteriors can be essential, but your installation must remain reasonable so as not to disturb the ecosystem of your land. To learn more about this subject, do not hesitate to consult the following video:

A question ? Visit the forum house, electricity and lighting

Leave comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *