ANALYSIS: OUTDOOR LIGHTING Home Styling


31 May 2023 ertonline.co.uk


Light up your life!


With energy prices high, installing energy efficient systems and appliances remains a key consideration for many. Here, ERT speaks to Katie Georgeson at 4Lite about outdoor lighting installations and the products and technology available to maximise outdoor space.


O


utdoor lighting plays a crucial role in the home. Enhancing the property design, improving safety, heightening security and enabling outside areas to be utilised after dusk, it is an essential element of any property development. But with so many different aspects to consider and balance, designing an outdoor lighting system can feel like a minefield. Throw in factors such as soaring energy bills and environmental considerations, the days of simply selecting an appealing fitting and its appropriate location are well and truly over. But by taking


the time to thoroughly


consider desired outcomes from the start, and by utilising smart technology, outdoor lighting design can actually be made very simple. As with most design projects, undertaking a site survey to fully understand and identify the main garden and outdoor areas that require illumination is the best place to start. Consider the main building and any other structures; driveways, seating areas, paths and steps as well as natural features such as trees and borders.


Next, spend some time considering the purpose of the lighting in each space. Is it to highlight design features or improve aesthetics? Are safe access and security a consideration, or perhaps useability and creating mood and ambience are key? These factors will all affect the final choice of fitting, colour temperature, intensity and level of automation required as well as the lighting technique chosen. When it comes to lighting techniques


there are a wide range commonly used so it’s worth doing your research at this stage. From dramatic up-lighting to the more serene


impact of downlighting, floodlighting, ground and step lighting, each location will often require a different approach. Luminaires can also be used innovatively


to create


texture and interesting effects such as wall- washing, grazing, cross-lighting, mirroring and silhouetting – something else worth exploring at this stage.


Whatever impact the homeowner is seeking,


just remember, subtlety is key. You want to enhance the area not illuminate everything in sight so less is most definitely more. But what about


the issue of energy


efficiency? Innovation and research into new technology means there are many effective energy efficient products and accessories available in the marketplace. From LED lamps to solar powered fittings, or products with either photocell or motion sensor detection, no matter what type of lamp you have identified, an energy efficient option is available. The ultimate solution, however, is an LED smart lighting system. Capable of reducing lighting energy use by up to two thirds, implementing smart technology is the most energy efficient option available today. It is also highly controllable, enabling luminaires to be linked together and automated to create different scenes, groups and schedules. Factors such as time of use, duration, output levels and colour temperatures can also be pre-set ensuring energy is used only where and when it is needed.


Many smart lighting systems now also come with dashboard controls which can also help you to accurately measure energy use in real time, supporting budgeting and helping you to identify areas in which costs can be saved. One important caveat of installing smart


lighting outdoors, though, is to encourage the end user to check Wi-Fi coverage first. If there is not sufficient coverage then a Wi-Fi extender can be used. 4Lite manufactures a huge range of indoor and outdoor smart lighting solutions. For more information about its products, visit www.4liteuk.com.


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