Outdoor Lighting Basics

Outdoor Lighting Basics

Modern society requires outdoor lighting for a variety of needs, including safety and commerce. IDA recognizes this but advocates that any required lighting be used wisely. To minimize the harmful effects of light pollution, lighting should

Only be on when needed

Only light the area that needs it

Be no brighter than necessary

Minimize blue light emissions

Eliminate upward-directed light

Glossary of Lighting Terms

Are you looking for dark sky-friendly lighting fixtures? Search our Fixture Seal of Approval database.

Types of Light

Most people are familiar with incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs for indoor lighting, but outdoor lighting usually makes use of different, more industrial sources of light. Common light sources include low-pressure sodium (“LPS”), high-pressure sodium (“HPS”), metal halide, and, most recently, light emitting diodes (“LEDs”).

LPS is an old technology that is no longer being manufactured. It was favored for use around observatories and some environmentally sensitive areas. Narrow-band amber LEDs emulate the color.

HPS is commonly used for street lighting in many cities. Although it still emits an orange-colored light, its coloring is more “true to life” than that of LPS.

In areas where it’s necessary to use white light, two common choices are metal halide and LEDs. One of the advantages of LED lighting is that it can be dimmed. Thus, instead of always lighting an empty street or parking lot at full brightness, LEDs can be turned down or off when they aren’t needed and then brought back to full brightness as necessary. This feature both saves on energy and reduces light pollution during the night.

Because of their reported long life and energy efficiency, LEDs are rapidly coming into widespread use, replacing the existing lighting in many cities. However, there are important issues to consider when making such a conversion. See our LED Practical Guide for more information.

Color Matters

It is crucial to control upward-directed light, but we now know that the color of light is also very important. Both LED, and metal halide fixtures contain large amounts of blue light in their spectrum. Because blue light brightens the night sky more than any other color of light, it’s important to minimize the amount emitted. Exposure to blue light at night has also been shown to harm human health and endanger wildlife. IDA recommends using lighting that has a color temperature of no more than 3000 Kelvins.

Lighting with lower color temperatures has less blue in its spectrum and is referred to as being “warm.” Higher color temperature sources of light are rich in blue light. IDA recommends that only warm light sources be used for outdoor lighting. This includes HPS and low-color-temperature LEDs. In some areas, the white light of even a low-color-temperature LED can be a threat to the local nighttime environment. In those cases, narrow-spectrum amber LEDs are the preferred choice.

Finding What You Need

IDA doesn’t sell dark sky-friendly lighting, but our Fixture Seal of Approval program makes it easy for you to find the right products. The FSA program certifies dark sky-friendly outdoor lighting – these are fixtures that restrict upward-directed light and have low color temperature. Search our database and then check with your local retailer.

SONNEMAN Outdoor Lighting

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Home Decor & Accent Furniture

Home exterior lighting options

Home exterior lighting is essential to any modern home. Whether you’re close to our Southwest Florida locations, or near our Overland Park, KS or Clayton, MO stores, it’s important to ensure the beauty of your home is seen at all times of the day. Lighting doors and pathways offer both safety and security, but also improve the attractiveness of your home. By highlighting your favorite features, you can both increase the value of your home and boost your curb appeal. At Wilson Lighting, we offer a variety of exterior lighting including post lamps, lantern lighting, outdoor sconces, and more. A variety of styles in our inventory also means you’ll be able to tailor your selections to your exact style, whether it be modern, farmhouse, industrial, rustic, traditional, eclectic, or something totally unique. Further refine your look with an array of finishes that will allow for a completely personalized design. The process of lighting your home has never been easier.