Categories Lighting, Outdoor, Residential, Safety

7 Types of Professional Landscape Lighting

7 Types of Professional Landscape Lighting

There are so many types of lights and ways to install professional landscape lighting! And it’s fun. Here are ideas for revamping your home’s exterior while avoiding some common mistakes.

The key, says Lumens’ Landscape Lighting Guide, is to take your time and work with a professional. You want a lighting layout to specifically reflect your unique sense of style. (That’s the fun part.) But you also want to work with the right voltage for your transformer. (Of course, that’s the necessary safety part.)

Why Do You Want Landscape Lighting?

Think about the reasons you want professionally installed landscape lighting:

  • Aesthetics
  • Increasing property value
  • More curb appeal
  • Safety
  • Setting(s) for entertainment

You make a mistake if you skip this step. For example, homeowners too often discover they need more or less or a different lighting arrangement altogether. When do they realize this? After the fact. It\’s important to note that over-lit spaces can become uncomfortable. Further, they can even be unusable over time if they\’re not installed correctly.

When your exterior lights are professionally arranged and installed, you get exactly what you want. Indeed, you “get it right” the first time.

Professional landscape lighting installation:

  • Includes details – First, your lighting pro can offer ideas about things you might forget to consider. This includes types of applications or installation options.
  • Is customized – Second, a landscape lighting professional keeps your original goals in mind so your outdoor space is fulfilling.
  • Provides professional options – Next, materials and fixtures you aren’t able to access can be acquired by your lighting professional. And often at a better price.
  • Saves money – Finally, many people end up replacing low-quality, big-box retail store fixtures anyway. But a professionally lit exterior looks better and increases your property value. It\’s the best long-term solution.

7 Types of Phoenix Landscape Lighting

When you live in a state like Arizona, you want to celebrate the quality of life. Your landscape lighting can be spectacular or sophisticated…or both.

Common Lighting Techniques

  • Bullet – Lightbulb-filled fixtures; project narrow beam
  • Downlight – Installed higher; cast light downward
  • Flood – Wider beam than a bullet; brighter than a wash
  • Garden – Small-post lights reflect downward; sidewalks, etc.
  • Uplight – Shine upward; installed low- or ground-level
  • Wash – Soft, subtle light
  • Well – In-ground, invisible, waterproof fixture

Creative Lighting Techniques

  • Exterior entrances – Uplight
  • Flowerbeds – Garden; 20\’ apart
  • Focal points – Bullet, flood, wash
  • Garden walls – Bullet, flood, well
  • Ground-level focal points – Downlight
  • Home façade – Bullet, wash
  • Large/unique trees – Uplight
  • Patios/pools – Downlight, moonlighting*
  • Trees – Bullet, downlight, flood, well
  • Water features – Downlight

Get the Three A’s with Us

Work with Turn It On Electric professionals for an affordable, attractive, Arizona landscape lighting project. Truly, it can be your proudest accomplishment this year. You\’ll feel great about your new landscape lighting. And all your guests will notice and enjoy the atmosphere too.

In the end, we want to help you avoid:

  • Over-lighting
  • Poor planning
  • Unsafe installation
  • Using the wrong fixtures
  • Wrong-size lights

These are common landscape lighting mistakes. So, let’s get together to discuss the possibilities. We can design a timeframe and a budget that can turn your home’s landscape into a true showplace. Call us now to schedule.
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*Affix a spotlight in a tree and point the beam down to replicate “moonshine” on your pool or seating arrangement.

Categories Lighting, Residential

The Best Night Lighting for Entertaining

The Best Night Lighting for Entertaining

Nothing is more inviting than mood-enhancing entertainment lighting. If you’re considering outdoor night lighting for summer entertaining, be willing to make a commitment. “As with most things related to homeownership, landscape lighting systems require ongoing maintenance and tuneups,” says Green Industry magazine.

Indoor lighting is best served by – you guessed it – natural sunshine. And lights definitely impact your guests’ comfort levels. A room with warm, inviting lighting sets the stage for a relaxing evening. You can design lighting to encourage engaging conversation. But a roomful of harsh LED lights? A definite party darkener.

Inside Night Lighting for Entertainment

We’re drawn to and fascinated by lights. One of the best indoor night lighting ideas is to present a beautiful yard bathed in wondrous lights. Guests will gravitate to your uncovered windows to admire the scenery.

Another mood-enhancing idea is a dimmer installation in living and dining rooms as well as kitchen areas. You can have the lights dim during the meal and mingling.

You won’t have to say, “Party’s over! Goodnight!” Just slowly ease the lights up to full brightness.

Indoor lighting ideas include:

  • Art highlights – A lovely way to exhibit collectibles and family art.
  • Bathrooms – Auto/on-off lights are convenient (and impressive).
  • Chandeliers – Nothing speaks to elegance more than a sparkling chandelier.
  • Entrance lighting – There are some stunning hallway and entrance light fixtures available to today’s homeowners.
  • Recessed lighting – Recessed ceiling lights are subtle and sophisticated.
  • Wall sconces – Enjoy being surrounded by wall sconces that can be flame-like, ultra-modern, or shabby-chic.

Summer and Fall Outdoor Get-Togethers

Phoenix-area homeowners have a tradition of gracious outdoor entertaining all year-round. But evening summer and fall parties are especially pleasurable.

To begin your lightscaping project, define exactly what you want to achieve. Do you want to illuminate a walkway or garden path? How will your night lighting integrate with furniture and seating arrangements? Do you need lighting for a one-time, large event or permanent fixtures for long-term entertaining, or both?

Once you’ve determined how your outdoor night lighting will best serve, make a “blueprint” of your yard. It doesn’t have to be perfectly scaled. Indicate ground, tree, exterior home, and fixture lighting areas.

Points to consider:

  • Low-voltage lighting can cost less than high-voltage, depending on the design.
  • Solar lighting is a good choice for sunny Arizona and it’s the least expensive option.
  • There are safety precautions for outdoor night lighting strands and especially ground fixtures.
  • Your lighting budget should include the cost of an electrical contractor to install the wiring.

Residential Lighting for Beauty and Safety

Turn It On Electric offers over 20 years’ experience in superior electrical service. Turn It On Electric\’s team of professionals live and work in:

  • Anthem
  • Cave Creek
  • Chandler
  • Gilbert
  • Glendale
  • Mesa
  • Paradise Valley
  • Phoenix
  • Scottsdale
  • Tempe

We are passionate about home safety and can share several ideas for home lighting that will not only enhance the quality of your life; it will increase your property value. Contact Turn It On Electric today to design a customized night lighting package for your home.

Categories Lighting, Safety

The difference between security lights and motion sensors

The difference between security lights and motion sensors

Security lights and motion sensors often go hand-in-hand, but you\’ll find both styles in other configurations as well. It is important to understand the differences so you know which is best for your needs. Here\’s a look at some of the most common features for motion sensors and security lights.

Types of Security Lights

The goal of security lights is to brighten your property at night and deter potential thieves. Within this category, you\’ll have several different options.

Security Lights without Motion Sensors

Security lights without motion-detection capabilities will typically remain on constantly. This way, your property will be illuminated throughout the night, keeping potential thieves away.

Depending on the variety you choose, you may be able to set the lights on a timer so that they are only on at night. With this configuration, your lights will still come on even if you don\’t activate them manually. This is great for protecting your home while you are out of town, as it will make it seem like someone is still home.

Some variations also detect light, only coming on from dusk until dawn. These lights will remain off during the day and come on when the amount of ambient light drops below a specific level. When the sun comes back up in the morning, the lights will turn off. With this type of security light, you won\’t need to adjust the timer as sunrise and sunset times shift throughout the seasons.

Security Lights with Motion Sensors

Motion sensor lights only come on when something moves and triggers the device. The idea behind this is that the sudden bright light will scare off burglars before they have a chance to break into your home or business. If there is no movement detected, these lights will stay off, keeping your property dark and helping to conserve electricity.

Security Lights with Video Cameras

Many modern security lights, like those from Ring, also include video cameras. These cameras can be motion-sensitive, or they may operate constantly. Be sure to check which type you are buying so you know what to expect in terms of capabilities. Some cameras only maintain video footage for a limited time, while others store all historical data. If you need to provide video footage to police, it is important to know how long you have before the footage is deleted.

Other Uses for Motion Sensors

While motion sensors are common for security lights, that is not their only use. You\’ll also find motion sensors for other types of outdoor lighting, as well as indoor lighting. In either case, the purpose of adding motion sensors is to minimize wasted electricity. If the sensor doesn\’t detect any motion for a specified period of time, it will turn the lights off automatically. This way, you won\’t accidentally leave the lights on in or outside your home when you leave to go to work or on vacation.

Get Expert Help Installing Motion Sensors

If you are looking to protect your Phoenix home or business with security lighting and motion sensors, Turn It On Electric is here to help. We\’ll get your property set up so that it will be as safe as possible. Our experienced team members will install any necessary wiring for the lights as well, and they\’ll also test everything to ensure it is working properly.

We invite you to reach out to us at any time if you have questions about lighting and other electrical concerns. We\’re always happy to provide our clients with more information. Get in touch with us today to schedule a service appointment to discuss your needs.

Categories Lighting

Ease Eye Strain With New Home Lighting

Ease Eye Strain With New Home Lighting

Working from home is growing in popularity, whether you are self-employed or your employer permits a more flexible work schedule. However, to make the most of your time and effort, you need to have a comfortable work space. In addition to the proper furnishings and electronics to help you get your job done, you\’ll also need adequate lighting. Poor lighting can lead to eye strain, headaches and other physical complications, not just in your home office, but in other rooms as well. Here\’s what you need to know to upgrade your home\’s lighting to reduce eye strain.

Minimize Eye Strain in the Home Office

Your home office is one of the most important areas to have proper lighting to prevent eye strain. Staring at a computer screen all day can be really hard on your eyes, especially if you don\’t have enough ambient light. In addition to specialized task lighting for your desk, you\’ll also want to include broader light for the rest of the room. Recessed lights overhead, as well as standing lamps, are great for this purpose.

Study Area

Children and teenagers may not have work to do per se, but they\’ll likely have homework for school. Just like in your home office, your children will need task and ambient lighting for their study areas to reduce eye strain. Have fun with the design of the lights you choose to keep the space kid-friendly. If they are old enough, let them choose their own lighting to make the space feel like their own.

Hobby Area

If you\’re spending more time at home these days, there is only so much TV you can watch. Starting or reconnecting with a hobby can be a great way to pass the time. Depending on the hobby you choose, your lighting needs will vary. Some tasks, like painting or woodworking will require plenty of bright light so you can see what you are doing without eye strain. For dancing, yoga, and other active hobbies, you\’ll still need light, but it won\’t need to be as bright and focused.

Kitchen

If you have ever tried to chop an onion in dim light, you know how important it is to have enough light in your kitchen. Not only will this help to prevent eye strain, but it will also help prevent you from accidentally cutting yourself. Overhead lighting is common in kitchens, though you may also want to consider under-cabinet lighting to shed even more light on your food prep space. This will also minimize any shadows your body might cast.

Bathrooms and Eye Strain

An often-overlooked area in terms of lighting design is the bathroom. While many people take care of designing the layout and decor of the bathroom, lighting often seems like an afterthought. However, shaving and putting on makeup are two tasks that require plenty of light. A common option is to install lights above your mirror, but this isn\’t the only choice available to you. You can also add lights along the sides of the mirror to fill in the light from the sides. This will make it easier to see your face with minimal shadows from overhead.

Learn More About Improving Your Lighting

Overhauling the lighting in your Phoenix home can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, it doesn\’t have to be when you work with Turn It On Electric. We\’ll provide insight and expert advice to help you improve your lighting design to improve the overall look of the space and also prevent eye strain. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our services and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Categories Lighting

Pros and Cons of Dimmer Switches

Pros and Cons of Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches are popular choices for homeowners looking to enhance the mood lighting in their homes. Adding dimmable lights can help you create an enjoyable atmosphere while also lowering your energy usage and costs. Despite all the benefits, dimmers do have some drawbacks as well. Here\’s what you need to know to decide if dimmer switches are right for your Phoenix home.

Benefits of Dimmer Switches

The biggest benefit of using dimmers is that it gives you increased control over your lighting design. You can set the lights to a bright setting while you are working or enjoying a hobby. Then, if you are hosting guests in the evening, you can dim them down to create a more festive atmosphere. You may also be able to utilize colored light bulbs, enabling you to customize the lighting even further.

Because you can achieve such a wide range of brightness with your dimmable lighting, you can install multiple lights throughout the room. This way, you\’ll always be able to have bright light when you need it and dim the lights when you don\’t. By keeping the light low, you\’ll also be using less electricity to power the lights, making it easy to save on your energy bills. Motion sensor options are also available, turning off the lights when no one is in the room.

With modern technology, you can even find dimmer switches with smart capabilities. Depending on the specific features of the device, you may be able to operate it from your smartphone or voice-activated assistant. Some models even include programming capabilities, allowing you to set your lights to automatically cycle through various lighting concepts throughout the day.

Drawbacks of Dimmer Switches

Of course, there are a few pitfalls to be aware of when considering dimmable lighting. For starters, not all dimmer switches are compatible with LED lighting. If you prefer this long-lasting, environmentally friendly light bulb style, you\’ll need to take care in choosing a dimmer switch that can accommodate it. Make sure that you understand the compatibility requirements of any dimmer switch on your shortlist.

You\’ll also need to hire a qualified electrician to install a dimmer switch for you. It is somewhat of a complex task, so it is best to leave it to the professionals to minimize your risk of electrocution or electrical fire. Finally, some dimmer switches produce a buzzing noise, which can be annoying over time. Check customer reviews before buying anything to avoid these and other common issues.

Upgrade Your Phoenix Home with Dimmers

If you are interested in adding dimmer switches to some of the lights in your Phoenix home, reach out to Turn It On Electric. We\’ll be happy to help you evaluate the myriad options available to you to help you narrow down your choices. We\’ll take your needs and preferences into account to find the perfect dimmer switch for your home.

Our team is always here to answer any questions you may have about dimmable lights or any other electrical concerns. Feel free to reach out to us at any time for assistance. Call today to schedule a consultation appointment to discuss your needs in greater detail.