Lights.com—Outdoor Security Lighting
Security is the number one reason people install outdoor lighting. Security lighting does not necessarily mean super-bright, flood lights mounted on tall poles, however. There are many ways to achieve a high level of security through the proper application of lighting. There are also considerations other than how bright a light is that determine its value in a security capacity. Also, there are monetary concerns that may strongly influence the type of lighting you will eventually choose.
Security lights for parking lots are rarely the lights chosen by home-owners to increase the security of their properties. In these instances a mixture of ground-level flood lights, post-lanterns, and walkway lights may offer the most aesthetically pleasing security solution. For homes and businesses where aesthetics are important, security lighting should not look like a system for deterring prison breaks. The color temperature of the lights, the angles of illumination, and the fixtures themselves all contribute to the overall aesthetic.
Though the brightness of a light and the size of the area it can illuminate are the most important features of a security light, other factors are involved too. Photo-sensitive lights (that turn on at night and off in the morning) and motion-sensitive lights (that turn on when they sense motion) both make good security options. Motion-sensitive lights are especially good because the activation of the light draws attention to the specific area. Lighting from different angles is also important so that shadows from intruders are thrown where they will be seen.
Efficient and Economical Security Lighting
"Economical" does not mean cheap. Cheap lights may break from the vibrations of a thunderclap or collision with a bird. Economical lights do their jobs reliably and save money at the same time. Photo-sensitive lights are economical. Motion-sensitive lights are even more economical, as lighting can be maintained at a low level and be amplified when necessary. High-power floods make great motion-sensitive security lights because they offer the most light when activated and the most savings when de-activated. A security lighting system can draw significant amounts of power, so efficiency should be a major concern.
