What to look for when choosing outdoor security lighting
Security lights can come in an assortment of models and with a variety of features. The next few sections go over a few things you should look for when it comes to security lighting.
The type of lighting
The main difference between normal outdoor lights and outdoor security lights is that security lights are attached to motion detectors and traditional lights aren’t. When you turn on traditional lights, they stay on until you turn them off.
Security lights use motion detection to sense movement within a detection range. The light turns on when the motion sensor picks up movement. If the motion sensor doesn’t detect any movement for around 30 seconds, the light turns off.
Traditional lights cost less than motion sensor lights; however, an outdoor motion sensor light can save you energy costs over time because it only turns on when triggered by movement.
The most common types of outdoor security lights are floodlights and spotlights. Floodlights light up wide areas like front and backyards. A floodlight only has one bulb that fills (or floods) a space with light.
Spotlights send out narrow, directed beams of light. Spotlights can have two or more light fixtures, or adjustable heads, designed to shoot light in different directions.
For example, a dual-head spotlight has two bulbs that can shoot light in opposite directions. Spotlights are good for things like lighting walkways on your property.
Incandescent and LED lights are the two most common types of lightbulbs used by security lights. Incandescent lights, or traditional lights, use more energy and shine brighter than LED bulbs. LED lights are more energy-efficient and last longer than incandescent bulbs. LED lights might be more expensive upfront, but they can make up for it in energy savings in the long run.
Outdoor lights should be weatherproof since they are exposed to the elements. Take a look at your light’s Ingress Protection (IP) rating to see if it can withstand harsh weather conditions. IP ratings measure your light fixture’s ability to avoid damage from things like water and dust.
Power sources for the lighting
Outdoor security lights can get energy in one of two ways: They can be battery-powered or use your home’s energy. Each power source has its advantages and disadvantages.
Battery-powered lights are easy to install. Many battery-operated security lights have adhesive strips you can use to stick them to your outside wall. This means battery-powered lights are also easy to remove and take to a new location if you decide to move.
A security light that uses batteries is also completely separate from your home’s energy system, so it won’t add to your electricity bill.
A downside to having battery-powered lights is that you have to ensure they don’t run out of juice. If you don’t change your batteries on time, your security lights might be offline when you need them.
Battery-powered lights also tend to get dimmer as the battery drains. Even rechargeable lights can become subdued after several charges.
Hardwired lights are tied into your home’s electrical system. As long as the electricity is running in your home, wired security lights have an ample power source. This means they’ll continue to maintain their brightness over time and you won’t have to worry about remembering to change their batteries.
However, wired lights are difficult to install. You’ll usually need a professional installer to drill into your wall and connect your lights to your electrical system.
And when you install hardwired lights, they’re generally permanent. It’s very hard to adjust where your hardwired lights are mounted or take them with you if you move.
A solar security light is another type of battery-powered light. Solar-powered lights have a solar panel connected to them that converts sunlight into electricity during the day. The electricity is stored in a battery and is used to power the solar motion sensor light at night.
Solar lights don’t add to your electricity bill, and they don’t require you to spend money on batteries if your lights receive enough sunlight during the day.
However, you must position solar lights where direct sunlight can hit them to work. This limits where you can mount them. Your solar lights also might not work well at night if the weather has been cloudy or dreary during the day.
Necessary brightness
In the same way that electricity is measured in wattage, brightness is measured in lumens. One lumen represents the amount of light that can be emitted by one candle. If your area light has 400 lumens, it can shine as bright as around 400 candles.
The amount of lumens a light should have depends on its purpose and what it needs to illuminate. For example, if you’re providing landscape lighting to improve the atmosphere of your backyard patio, you may only need a light with around 500 lumens. But if you want a light to brighten a whole parking lot, you might need one with around 10,000 lumens.
Generally, you’ll want bright lights with an average of between 700 and 1500 lumens for your home security system. The brighter your security lights are, the more likely they are to scare off potential criminals and the better they can warn you if there’s a threat to your home.
Smart home integration
Smart lighting can use a Wi-Fi internet connection to integrate with other smart devices in your security system or wider smart home setup. For example, you may be able to program the LED motion sensor in your outdoor security floodlight to activate automatically when you lock your smart locks to go to bed at night.
In an interconnected home security system, you can control your smart lights and all your other security devices from a central control panel or remotely using your smartphone. Some smart systems, like the ones offered by Vivint, integrate with programs like Amazon Alexa so you can operate your devices using voice commands.
Installation options
It’s possible to DIY install your security lighting. Some lighting systems are even designed for self-installation.
However, you may want to think twice before setting up your own lights. Trying to install wired lights can be challenging if you don’t have professional experience with electrical systems.
Even if you have battery-powered security lights, a professional can show you the best way to mount them so they offer the best home protection. That’s why Vivint offers professional installation for our security offerings.
When you invest in a smart home security system from Vivint, a reliable expert will ensure all your devices are positioned for maximum efficiency. They’ll also take the time to connect all your smart devices to give you a seamless home automation experience.
