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Now that Daylight Savings Time is over and winter is fast approaching, it is the perfect time of year to update your outdoor security lighting. With evenings getting darker sooner, you will want to make sure the exterior of your home is properly lit. There are several key considerations you should make when you are selecting and installing outdoor security lighting on or around your home.

The first consideration involves choosing the right type of light fixture for each application. Floodlights are the most versatile type of security light, because they allow you to aim light where you need it. They are available in single, double and three headed configurations. I recommend Lithonia Lighting’s Dusk-to-Dawn LED Floodlights because they are extremely energy efficient and maintenance-free. Area Lights cast light in all directions, so they are ideal for illuminating large areas. Area lights are ideal for pole mounting. To maximize light coverage, you may consider using an extension mounting arm with this type of fixture. Lithonia Lighting also offers an LED solution in this type of fixture – the LED Area & Wall Light (OLAW). The third type of security light is a Wall Pack. This type of fixture is ideal for mounting over garages, because it is designed to be unobtrusive when surface mounted, and it casts light downward onto the mounting surface as well as outward. The Premium Metal Halide Wall Pack from Lithonia Lighting is a great example of this type of fixture.

Light source is the next major consideration when selecting outdoor security lighting. LED is the newest light souce in this product catagory. LED fixtures may cost more to purchase, but their operation and maintenance costs are much less than fixtures with other light sources. LED technology offers the greatest energy efficiency, and because the bulbs last an average of 50,000 hours, you won’t have to continuously pull out your ladder to replace bulbs. The LED Area & Wall Light (OLAW) from Lithonia Lighting is a terrific LED security lighting solution. Second, are the HID (high-intensity discharge) light sources. These include Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium. These light sources can use up to 85% less energy than incandescent, and are designed to maximize visible light output making them perfect for lighting very large areas. Metal Halide bulbs tend to have a slightly shorter life than High Pressure Sodium, but they offer a whiter light that is often concidered more attractive. High Pressure Sodium bulbs produce a more golden or yellow color light with reduced color rendition. Compact Fluorescent is another light source option. fluorescents are up to 75% more efficient than incandescents, have a 10,000 average lifespan and they provide good quality color rendition. Lithonia Lighting’s Premium Fluorescent Area Light is a great value. Finally, you have the incandescent light sources which are the least efficient (but often most economical) choice. Quartz Halogen falls into this catagory. While these replacement bulbs may be the least expensive, they only last 1,500 hours on average. They do, however, offer high-quality color rendition.

You should also consider two major product features when selecting your outdoor security lighting. A Dusk-to-Dawn Photocell will automatically turn a fixture on at dusk and off at dawn for energy savings and convenience. This is a great way to make sure your security lights will always be on when you need them. Some security lights also include a Motion Sensor. Fixtures like Lithonia Lighting’s LED Floodlight with Motion Sensor not only act as deterants for trespasers; they can also be a convience by illuminating when you pull up to your house in your car or walk up to an exterior door.

For more information on outdoor security lighting, visit www.lightahome.com.