Need opinions on outdoor flood lights
by
Louise
+4
I have floodlights on both ends of my house on the back side and they illuminate the side yard and part of the back. One is LED and I love the brightness of it. The other is a regular floodlight and the light is fine but I prefer the brighter LED so since one bulb is burned out in the "regular" floodlight, I thought I'd replace it with an LED. But now I think I want a dawn to dusk instead of the motion sensor that both of mine are. They sometimes don't turn on when I or the dogs go into the back yard. Seems there's a special spot where they'll turn on and I sometimes have to wave my arms around to make that happen. Having them on all night wouldn't bother me and they wouldn't shine into any neighbors' windows. What's your opinion/experience with these choices?
Sounds good to me. Do what makes you comfortable! I have a dawn to dusk front porch light and motion lights everywhere else. A well lit house is also less likely to be broken into - or at least that is what they say. Will also keep creatures of the night away too. The motion sensor on your motion lights is adjustable, it just takes some time to fiddle with it. I had to do that with the one on the pathway side of the house, as it would light up and shine into the neighbors bedrooms.
Good outdoor lighting adds security and value to your home so pull the old light and install a new led light. As long as you neighborhood association doesn’t object and it doesn’t bother your neighbors go for it!
Yes, I’d say if it’s not bothering you or your neighbors to have the lights on all night-whatever makes you comfortable. Motion sensors are notorious for needing adjustment (I have 3), so you might want to check that out first (maybe even clean the sensor lens).
ehaving had a friend whose husband was not always a nice person, he said he loved lots of yard lights; could see what he wanted to take; the 'motion activated' would frequently startle him into leaving, thinking that the property owner was actually awake or had been awakened by the light coming on ... just sayin... Constant light also affects birds and plants that depend on 'daylight' hours to regulate their 'lives' http://cescos.fau.edu/observatory/lightpol-environ.html
Try cleaning off the sensors on the one, it will "see" you better
The dusk to dawn are great for front and back entry points. The motion lights are basically for security or frighten critters away. Clean the sensor and/or adjust the sensitivity on the motion. Most motion lights can also be connected to a light switch. Flip the switch on and off the light will turn on and stay on. Flip the switch on and off again it goes back into sensor mode.
Whatever you prefer is best.
I have a motion sensor light and love it, as it alerts us when someone is near our door. You do have to adjust it at first, but after that, it is quite reliable. We thought it was dying recently, as it would not go off, but the sensor needed cleaning, and then was fine.
Ours is on an indoor dimmer switch, so instead of fiddling with the actual fixture, I can very slighlty dim it from the inside, and it will stay on. This is great on Halloween or when we have company, so it stays lit. If I want it on all night, I can dim it a bit more, so it doesn't bother the neighbours.