Outdoor landscape lighting can add great value to a property by adding to its visual appeal and provide a way to safely navigate the space at night. But people don’t often think about the harm that outdoor lighting can cause such as lighting pollution or negative effects on the surrounding wildlife. As professional lighting contractors, it’s advisable to educate clients on responsible and sustainable outdoor lighting practices that will benefit everyone in the great outdoors.
Why is it Important to Be Mindful of the Outdoor Lights?
The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) defines light pollution as “the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally.” They have pointed out that having too much light at night can be detrimental to the lives of humans and animals alike. Negative effects on human lives include an increased risk for sleep disorders or depression. Inconsiderate outdoor lighting like “glare from poorly shielded outdoor lighting” can be dangerous as it can impair people’s vision and cause falls, trips, or other accidents.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the UK listed specific negative effects that excessive outdoor lights have on wildlife. These negative effects include “blind[ing] some animals,” causing confusion for nocturnal animals since they “navigate in part by natural light sources” and mistake outdoor lights with the moon, and creating “a barrier for some species, fragmenting habitats” such as what happens with baby sea turtles who get confused by outdoor lights and moving toward them instead of the ocean.
With all these negative effects of outdoor lights it is important to minimize them as much as possible.
5 Sustainable Practices for Outdoor Landscape Lighting
It’s easy to be sustainable while using outdoor landscape lighting. Here are five sustainable outdoor landscape lighting practices that will illuminate an outdoor space, while leaving the surrounding environment and inhabitants as undisturbed as possible.
- Ensure that outdoor landscape lighting is turned on only when necessary, such as when there are people gathered outside for a summer dinner party. Timersand dimmers are useful for this purpose as they can automatically turn off the lights when they are not in use.
- When choosing the color of lights for outdoor use, consider warm colored lights. Warm colored lights are lights that have a color temperaturemeasuring around 2700K. Not only will they have a softer glow that mimics natural light, but they also help an outdoor space look inviting.
- Opt for lighting fixtures that have glare guards. The glare guards will help ensure that the light stays where it’s needed and will not enter into unwanted territory. It will help keep the lights focused in one area.
- When it comes to choosing which type of light bulbs to use, choose LEDbulbs whenever possible. They are more energy efficient, longer lasting, and can be operated via smart devices and apps.
- Position lighting fixtures as low to the ground as possible so their light goes downward. This positioning can help reduce light pollution.
There are more sustainable outdoor lighting practices to utilize. Following these practices will preserve the night skies, protect the surrounding wildlife, and all the while help an outdoor space be visually appealing.
Get Sustainable Outdoor Lighting at LightCh8in
When installing outdoor landscape lighting, it is important to be mindful of outdoor lights, know what sustainable outdoor lighting is, and sustainable outdoor landscape lighting practices. Keeping these in mind will allow professional lighting contractors to be able to assist their clients in creating an outdoor lighting system that will benefit everyone.
Login to your LightCh8in account or sign up for one now and explore the outdoor lighting options available from LEDs, to light fixtures, and timers. We have all the necessary parts to light up any property effectively and safely at night.