When to Use led outdoor lighting custom？
LED lights aren’t just for inside! See how LED lighting can be used in a variety of outside applications (and why you should choose outdoor LED strips!)
Okay, you went crazy with the LED lights inside—every socket now boasts an LED bulb. You installed LED strip lights under every cabinet and along every stair tread in the house. If a room has crown molding, it has a strip. You even installed strip lights on your strip lights. Now what?
All kidding aside, you probably know many of the innovative ways LED strip lights can improve your home or office, but might not have thought of all the outside upgrades that you can make with LEDs.
In this article, we’re going to share some of the reasons LED lighting is a good choice outside, plus give you some ideas about outdoor applications.
Are LED lights good for outside?
Outside lights have slightly different purposes than indoor lights. Of course, all light fixtures are used for illumination, but outdoor LED lights must have some specific additional functions. We depend on outside lights for safety; we need them to perform under all kinds of weather; they need to have a reliable lifespan in spite of changing conditions; they need to play a positive role in our energy conservation plans. LED lighting satisfies all these outdoor lighting needs.
How LED lighting is used for safety
Brighter often means safer. Outside lighting is often in place to assist pedestrians and cars. Both walkers and drivers benefit from being able to see where they are going and avoid any obstacles that may arise (sometimes the walkers and drivers are looking out for each other!) Industrial outdoor LED lighting can be tens of thousands of lumens allowing you to create exceptionally bright corridors, walkways, sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.
Well-lit exterior lighting along buildings and in doorways can discourage theft or vandalism—another safety issue, not to mention helping security cameras catch any incidents. Modern industrial LEDs often give you customizable options for the light area (the specific spots you intentionally want lit) while simultaneously being designed to reduce light pollution (light reflecting in unintended areas.)
Are LED lights weather resistant?
LED lighting can be designed to withstand all kinds of weather. Note, LEDs can be manufactured for outdoor use, but not every LED is suitable for outside. Make sure you know the specifications of any LED you are considering for outside installation. Look for an IP rating on LED lights to check for waterproofness. (IP stands Ingress Protection, a rating scale that tests various types of water exposure, including immersion in water. For example, HitLights offers two outdoor grade LED strip lights with an IP rating of 67, which is considered waterproof.)
Water isn’t the only factor when it comes to weather. Seasonal changes in temperature can weaken construction materials over time. Exposure, especially direct sunlight, can erode strength and bring around the ravages of time to lesser quality fabrication. Make sure you understand what materials are used in the assembly of any outdoor LED light you choose and explore premium options when available to ensure maximum lifespan for the equipment you purchase. High-quality retailers and manufacturers will supply you with the information you need to pick right, plus will back their products with warranties to encourage your confidence.
Do LED lights help save energy?
If you are required to create an energy conservation plan for your office, facility, building, or company, LED lighting is an excellent tool to help you reach your energy savings goals. Most people first learn about LED lights due to their reputation for efficiency. If you don’t feel prepared to replace all fixtures at once (especially when your budget doesn’t allow it or when existing fixtures still have some utility) consider which LED lights can be purchased in bulk for a discount (or as HitLights offers: discounts for business account holders.) Also create a plan for smart replacement: as old-fashioned fixtures wear out, replace with LEDs. This allows you to incrementally capture the benefits of LEDs without the initial outlay which deters some purchasers.
Now, you may be thinking all of this information is great, but when you think of HitLights, you think of LED strip lights. Which leads to the natural next question….
Can I Use LED Strips Outside?
HitLights offers outdoor grade LED strip lights (IP rating 67—as mentioned earlier; this rating is considered waterproof) making the strips suitable for outdoor use. Our Luma5 series is premium: made from start to finish with quality materials, with quality construction, built to last when installed outside. Worried about mounting strip lights in the outdoor elements? Choose our heavy-duty foam mounting tape that is up to the job—no matter what Mother Nature can throw its way. Select from our single color, UL-listed, premium Luma5 LED strip lights—available in standard density or high density.
Where can I use LED lights outside?
In addition to parking lots, driveways, corridors, walkways, and door entries, LED lights outside can be installed to highlight garage doors, under stair railings, and stair steps (LED strip lights are perfect for all these installations.)
Don’t forget signage. You still want people to see your signs, even when the sun goes down. Signs are where LED lights really shine (no pun intended.) Certain LED strip lights can be bendable to follow letter curves or other sign outlines (like our WAVE strips) and provide pop to your 24/7 marketing tool (after all, that’s what a sign is!)
We’re sure we’ve got your mental wheels spinning—LED lights outside can be total winners like they are inside. If we’ve REALLY got you thinking about all the ways LED lights can improve your business or industrial application, let us tell you about our OEM (original equipment manufacturer) program. Since HitLights is manufacturing and retail, we can work with you to create custom projects that will light up whatever you can dream up. Contact us today to learn more about our OEM customization process. Our knowledge-based team is ready to work with you!
Outdoor lighting has been shown to cut crime rates by as much as 39%, especially at night. It also boosts your home's curb appeal and creates a welcoming ambiance.
If you don't currently have any outdoor LED lights at your home, you should consider installing some.
But, just like anything related to home improvement, LED lights are not free. Any time you spend money on your home, you want to know how long your investment will last.
Read on to learn the average lifespan of LED lights and what you can do to keep them working for as long as possible.
LED Lights vs. Incandescent Light Bulbs
First off, LED lights or light-emitting diodes work much differently than traditional incandescent light bulbs. They both create light using electricity, but that's where the similarities end.
Each LED bulb contains a diode which has excitable electrons inside. As electricity passes through them, they release photons which turn into light. While LED technology doesn't use heat to make light, the heat from the electricity that passes through it wears out the diodes over time.
Incandescent light bulbs have a filament inside that glows when electricity passes through it. It heats up and gets brittle over time. When the filament breaks, the light burns out.
How Is LED Lifespan Measured?
Incandescent lights burn out suddenly and completely. They either give 100% of their light or they're burnt out. In contrast, LED lights fade slowly over time before they burn out.
That's why they have different lifespan ratings. If an incandescent bulb has a rating of 1,200 hours, that means it will burn out after roughly 1,200 hours of use.
For LED lights, they base the lifespan rating on lumen maintenance. That's a measurement of light that an LED bulb emits when comparing a brand new one to an older one. L50 and L70 are common measurements of lumen maintenance.
If an LED light has an L70 rating at 30,000 hours, that means that a bulb that's 30,000 hours old will produce 70% of the light it produced when it was new. At 30,000 hours it will have lost 30% of its original brightness.
So, How Long Do Outdoor LED Lights Last?
LED lights last 25 times as long as incandescent bulbs. But, how will that translate to your home's particular usage?
The best way to know how long lights will last is to look at the hour rating. For example, if the LED rope lights or bulbs you're considering have a rating of 50,000 hours, that means they'll last for about five and half years. And that's if you plan to leave them on 24 hours a day.
That said, it's not always necessary or safe to leave outdoor lights on 24/7. It can actually void the warranty and make them wear out faster.
Maintaining Your Outdoor Lights
You can make your outdoor LEDs last longer by keeping up with outdoor light maintenance. If you care for your LED lights properly, you can protect your warranty and make the most of your investment.
Here are some things you can do to keep your outdoor lights shining for years to come.
1. Trim Nearby Bushes and Plants
You don't want an overgrown plant or bush to crush the glass on your LED flood light. Plus, the light won't shine as bright if something's covering it.
If you have lights in or near your garden, keep the plants trimmed so they don't cover the lights. This will prevent damage to the light fixture and extend its lifespan. It will also prevent water and snow from collecting on the light fixtures.
2. Clean LED Lights and Fixtures
Outdoor lighting is bound to get a little dirty now and then. The best way to extend the lifespan of your lighting is to keep the light fixtures and bulbs clean. Dirt and other debris can get inside and disrupt the LED function.
That means wiping off mud, removing leaves, or cleaning spider webs or insects. Even though insects aren't drawn to LED lights, they still live in the nearby plants.
2. Make Repairs as Soon as Possible
If you see a light that's not working or some exposed wires, deal with the problem right away. If you've had the light for a long time, it might be time for replacement. If not, it could signal an issue with your lighting system.
If you're not sure what the issue is, you can call the company that did the installation. If you installed the lights yourself, you can always call an electrician to investigate the issue.
Weatherproofing Your LED Strip Lights
While it's always best to choose weatherproof LEDs if you plan to use them outside, sometimes it's not an option. Luckily, you can weatherproof your LED strip lights in just a few minutes.
To create a water tight seal on the connetions to your lights start by wrapping the adhesive lined heat shrinkable tape around your lighting and connector; similar to how you would apply electrical tape. Place your heat shrink tubing over the lighting, connector, and tape. Shrink the tubing and tape using a heat gun. The adhesive will melt when the heat is applied, and solidify when cooled.
The minimum melting point of the adhesive is 95*C (204*F).
Now you can install your strip lights without worrying about weather damage. This process does not make the lights waterproof, only weatherproof. The lights are not designed to be submerged in water.
Shine a Light on Your Outdoor Space Today
Outdoor LED lights can last up to 50,000 hours with the right maintenance and care. If you'd like to improve your home's ambiance and safety, you can't go wrong with eco-friendly and long-lasting LED lighting.
If you're in need of dependable LED lights for your home, Birddog Lighting can help. We offer everything from LED rope lighting and strip lights to LED bulbs and fixtures. Browse our website or request a free catalog to see our product collection.