Are LED security lights expensive to run?

Security lights help bring you peace of mind that your property is safe at night time, especially when it might be vacant too.

A well-lit street or property can drastically reduce the chance of a break-in. It will deter burglars as they will usually pick houses that appear to have no obvious home security systems.

Most break-ins happen at night when the natural light has disappeared and burglars have less chance of being spotted by any neighbours, passers-by or by the police.

Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of LED outdoor security lights.

 

The Importance of Security Lighting

Outdoor security lights are a great feature to add to your home for added home security. The use of security lighting will not only protect your property but also help to create a deterrent to criminal activity in your entire area.

It will give a sense that all neighbours are keeping an eye out at all times and gives the impression that people are always present within their households.

Causing no time for burglars to make a move on a neighbourhood, as it will never exist in complete darkness - so they will never truly know when a property is vacant.

 

Could Your Home Benefit from Outdoor Security Lights?

If your property is not situated on a well-lit street with the benefit of having street lights on your doorstep, it might be time to install some outdoor motion sensor lights. They are a great safety feature and can not only be used to keep trespassers away from your home but they can also be used to deter animals away from your garden too.

If unwanted animals keep ruining your gardening, but you don’t want to cause them any harm, do not worry, light from even the brightest LED bulbs will not hurt any creature who happens to be invading your territory. The light will simply expose them and scare them away, therefore acting as a deterrent for future trespassing.

 

The Different Types of Outdoor LED Lights

If LED street lights do not already surround your home, then it may be time to educate yourself on the different types of LED outdoor lights in order to protect your property. LED bulbs are perfect for security lighting as they are energy-efficient and long-lasting, their effectiveness means they are found throughout a range of outdoor lighting.

A floodlight is a perfect option for many homes, they are large and powerful and will provide high levels of security to your property. At least one sensor flood light per property is advised for ultimate nighttime safety.

Other LED outdoor products are available and include LED spotlights for your decking or pathways, LED spike lights for your garden, which help add security and a great aesthetic to your outdoor space and also LED wall lamps, which will not only add security but also curb appeal and a decorative feature to the front of your home.

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You can accompany your outdoor light fittings with smart home security systems which can detect any motion and alert you straight to your smartphone or smart device no matter whereabouts you are, it can notify you in an emergency if it detects a potential security problem.

A floodlight cam is considered the best security light option as it combines not only motion-activated LED floodlights, but also the added security of capturing and recording video footage too. These clever cams being linked to a smart device gives homeowners complete peace of mind that their property is safe at all times.

When choosing a security light option, remember to consider where you intend on installing it and if it will be exposed to the elements. A model that is fully waterproof should be purchased if so to prevent water damage. This is important as some models are only weather-resistant and may become less effective throughout harsh weather.

 

The Downsides to LED Security Lights

Some downsides to LED security lighting could include that sensor floodlights could be terribly distracting due to the sheer brightness of them, they could attract unwanted attention too or cause real irritation to you or your neighbours.

Another factor to consider is if you happen to live near an area where there is constant movement with people walking past, cars driving by, or movement from animals, this will cause your lights to lose their effectiveness because of these unnecessary triggers, bare this in mind when deciding on the placement for them.

There will be an initial high cost for purchasing outdoor LEDs security lights. Quality models can be costly as LEDs are of high quality and emit more light per watt, although in return will last you much longer. However, if certain lights have a constant high brightness without the option to choose a lower brightness setting you will find that they use more energy, resulting in them being more costly to run.

Some solar-powered lighting systems are also available which is useful if you wish to have no running costs for them, however, be wary as these will not work all year round, during the winter months when there is not enough sunlight to charge them fully.

 

The Pros of LED Lighting for Outdoor Use

LED bulb security lights in particular are by far the most superior bulb choice when it comes to security lighting to protect your home.

They are super energy saving, the amount of light they give off to how much energy they consume will save you money in the long run and you will not have to worry about the maintenance of them.

A huge benefit to an LED motion sensor light is that they are really easy to install, once put up they work straight away, making them a quick and easy option to boost the security of your property.

You can choose to either get them hardwired to the existing wiring in your house or you can get some that operate through the power of batteries if you want a simple installation process.

Battery-powered LED security lights will last on average between four and five years, with technologies improving all the time, some of the newer models have a longer lifespan of up to seven years.

Some security light options will be more effective than others, but whichever you choose, having any type of outdoor lighting as a whole will deter trespassers and any criminal activity from happening around your home or neighbourhood. Which is a pretty good investment to make.

The amount of electricity used by any lighting device depends on the power and time of use.

For example, a 100-watt bulb used for five hours will consume 0.5-kilowatt hours, and most LED lamps use much less energy than older incandescent lamps. According to May 2022 U.S. residential electricity price data, at an average of 14.92 cents per kWh, using a 100w LED security light for 5 hours would cost $0.0746 in electricity.

The main benefit of using LED outdoor floodlights is that they are more energy efficient than traditional halogen bulbs. LEDs use 90% less energy than halogen bulbs, resulting in significant savings on electricity costs.

In addition to being more energy efficient, LED security lights also have a much longer life than traditional bulbs. Halogen bulbs typically last about 2,000 hours, while LEDs can last 30,000 to 50,000 hours. This means there is no need to worry about spending more time and energy on frequent replacement of lighting equipment.

LED floodlights are also more durable than halogen bulbs. Onforu outdoor floodlights are shocked and drop tested to passing standards, which means they can withstand being dropped or hit by a ball without breaking, and they are not as susceptible to heat damage as halogen bulbs. Also, having an IP65+ rating for dust and water resistance makes them ideal for outdoor use, as they can withstand a variety of weather conditions.

How to choose a suitable outdoor wall light for your home

If there is a more energy-efficient option for outdoor lighting fixtures, it is to use motion sensor security light or dusk till dawn security light because they are turned on when needed. Normal security lights are switched on and off using a manual, and sometimes you feel guilty for forgetting to turn them off.

• Motion Sensor Light

Motion sensor lights also tend not to need to be on for very long. For example, when you return home in the dark, the outside floodlight needs to be on. But once you're inside, you won't need them anymore. And don't worry about forgetting to turn off this light, because once you're in the house and no human motion is sensed, it will automatically turn off. The sensors use less energy than conventional wall sconces. You can use custom logic to determine the proper placement of the motion sensor light, and the time it is on.

• Dusk to Dawn Light

If your home needs to be lit for long periods of time at night, consider using a dusk-to-dawn security light, the light will automatically turn on at night and stay off during the daytime (10-20 Lux: ON; 30-60 Lux: OFF). You also don't have to worry about wasting unwanted electricity by forgetting to turn off the lights when you go out during the day.

Using LED outdoor lights can save a range of electricity, depending on the type, size and frequency of use. Before buying and installing outdoor lighting fixtures, be sure to consider the ongoing cost of running them.

In addition, installing and using motion-activated floodlights can reduce energy consumption by an average of 40-50%, and in some cases by as much as 80%. The payback period depends on the total power of the lights connected to the sensor. The higher the power of the lights, the faster the sensor will get its payback.

Using dusk till dawn security lights is a great way to reduce energy costs. They consume very little power and can be of help to you.

Motion sensor lights and dusk-to-dawn lights can save money every month if you or your family forgets to turn off the lights. It's also a more economical solution that can increase environmental and economic awareness. By installing Onforu energy-saving lights, you will enjoy even more convenience.

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