With energy prices remaining impossibly high, installing energy efficient systems and appliances remains a key consideration for most undertaking a self-build project. In this article we speak to Katie Georgeson at 4Lite about outdoor lighting installations and the products and technology available that will deliver a truly efficient system.

Outside 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 effect you are 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?
Given the current issue of energy costs and soaring electricity bills, you don’t want to waste money on lighting use when it isn’t needed so make sure you explore the latest technologies available alongside the use of LED’s.

Innovation and research into new technology mean 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. Smart lighting systems enable every single detail of lighting to be programmed and automated so that energy is used only where and when it is needed. From controlling the times of operation to setting elements such as brightness, intensity and colour temperature, smart lighting systems allow different lighting schedules to be created; regulating energy use.

A smart lighting system is also highly controllable, enabling luminaires to be linked together and automated to create different scenes and groups. 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.

One important caveat of installing smart lighting outdoors though is to check WIFI coverage first. If there is not sufficient coverage then a WIFI extender can be used.

If your outdoor space requires constant illumination, perhaps for security reasons, then solar powered luminaires could be a truly effective cost-saving option or alternatively, for spaces that require light only when in use, fittings with motion or presence and absence detection sensors could be an ideal solution.