Outdoor landscape lights are a beautiful and functional addition to any outdoor space. They capture the beauty of the space, can highlight unique focal points or architectural features, and increase safety and security of the space at night. While there are great benefits to outdoor landscape lighting, it is best to keep in mind how it can affect surrounding neighbors and wildlife.
This week’s blog will go into more detail about light pollution, specifically light trespass, its negative effects on humans and wildlife, and offer some tips to prevent light trespass to ensure a lit environment that makes everyone comfortable.
Impact of Light Pollution
Dark Sky International is an organization dedicated to the cause of reducing light pollution through education and advocacy. They define light pollution as “the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally.” They also define light trespass as one component of light pollution and state that it is light that is “falling where it is not intended or needed.” When light isn’t used the way it’s supposed to be, it can lead to the disruption of natural sleep cycles and life cycles of humans and wildlife alike.
Knowing how to responsibly light outdoor environments, will not only lead to a stunning outdoor nighttime space, but a sustainable way to enjoy outdoor spaces with outdoor landscape lights.
8 Ways to Minimize Light Trespass
Fortunately, to prevent the negative effects of light pollution, outdoor landscape lights don’t have to be eliminated completely. Below are some tips to enjoy having outdoor landscape lights without contributing to the local light pollution.
- Shielded Light Fixtures: Use of light fixtures that are shielded helps to prevent light trespass and glare by directing the light beam downward to where it’s intended to be. A shield will also help limit light spilling into other areas.
- Create a comprehensive lighting design plan: A plan will help determine many factors such as which areas will benefit from having light, what kind of lights are necessary, how many lights are needed, and if the lights will disturb surrounding areas. Knowing this information will help limit or reduce light pollution by only installing light that is necessary to adequately light the outdoor space.
- Placement of Light Fixtures: Be sure to install light fixtures in places only where it is needed and adjust the light angle to avoid light trespassing into unwanted areas.
- Less Intense Light: Don’t choose lights that are going to be super bright. Instead opt for lower intensity bulbs.
- Use motion sensors, timers, and dimmers: Incorporating these devices into an outdoor landscape lighting system will make it more efficient, save energy, and prevent light pollution as they are turned on only when needed.
- Use Fewer Lights: Overlighting can also be visually unappealing, unnecessary, and not energy efficient.
- Minimizing Reflected Light: Carefully choose light wattage, type of light, beam angle, and color temperature to minimize reflected light that can cause light trespass and light pollution.
- Comply with Local Regulations: Many localities have regulations for light trespass and light pollution in general. Adhering to these regulations will ensure responsible lighting practices that won’t bother anyone.
Utilizing these tips to minimize light trespassing and light pollution will ensure a nighttime setting that is comfortable and beautiful for everyone.
Illuminate the Outdoors Sustainably with LightCh8in
Responsibly installing outdoor landscape lighting systems will ensure that everyone gets to enjoy the nighttime sky and all of its beauty.
Log in or create a LightCh8in account now and shop for outdoor landscape lighting supplies. Our offerings include path lights, down lights, and uplights that feature adjustable glare guards and hats that will not only look good in the night, but can also help limit light trespass and light pollution.