Category Archives: Outdoor

The fall and winter season will be in full swing before we know it! In addition to Halloween and Thanksgiving, there are seven other December holidays celebrated. And more! Time to think about how to improve security with a photocell during the holidays.

With plenty of guests around your home, safety is important. You want everyone to have merry and happy festivities and memories. Ensure they do with a photocell.

U.S. Fall and Winter Celebrations and Traditions

• Halloween
• Election Day
• Thanksgiving
• Hanukkah
• Christmas
• Kwanzaa
• New Year’s Eve

Here’s a fairly new one: “Chriskwanzukah” celebrates all our traditional winter observances. It’s an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss religious diversity.

Some Americans believe in another winter religious holiday – the Superbowl. Whatever you observe, there\’s plenty of reason to get together. Let\’s party as the days get shorter and cooler.

The winter events give us a reason to improve security with a photocell during the holidays. From trick-or-treaters lining porches to annual family gatherings. From New Year’s parties to football games… Homes are safer at night with better lighting.

How to Improve Security with a Photocell During the Holidays

The best way is to improve security with a photocell during the holidays. Photocells are sensors that detect light. They are used in many toys and appliances. They are low-cost, easy to use, and long-lasting. These are sometimes called “CdS cells” (cadmium sulfide), “LDRs” (light-dependent resistors), and “photoresistors.”

When a photocell is lighted, electrons are emitted from one side to another. This way, the current can be transferred. How does this help improve security with a photocell during the holidays? Because they are easy to control. Actually, they control themselves. Their on/off functions are determined by the amount of light they sense.

‘Ins and Outs’ of Security Lighting

There are two basic types of photocells: plug-in and line-voltage. Plug-in photocell sensors are located inside the bulb. Line photocell sensors are likely to be located elsewhere. Both work equally well, though.

You want effective nighttime illumination wherever people will walk. This includes guests and unwanted intruders, too. Some great outdoor locations are:

• Backyard patios and decks
• Doorways
• Shrubs and trees
• Sidewalks, driveways

Photocell lighting is sometimes called “dusk-to-dawn” lighting. (Daylight savings time won’t affect your outdoor photocell security.) Some types of photocell lights include:

• Floodlights
• Lampposts
• Landscape luminary
• Mounted luminary
• Step and stairway lights

Year-End Lighting Home Improvements

You want to protect your home and family. But you also want to safeguard others on your property. Lighting home improvements are always a good idea. Taking action to improve your property and quality of life increases property value and safety.

Want to improve security with a photocell during the holidays? Have an LED lighting system in place? Good for you! LED lighting is economical and durable. But you’ll need to contact your local, Arizona electric service professional to accomplish your year-end security lighting goal.

“Because LEDs run at such a low voltage, this small current causes interference, flickering, and premature degradation,” says lighting blogger Eugen. “LEDs require a different type of photocell than conventional bulbs.”

What you don’t know can hurt you. We’ll make electric safety even safer. Contact Turn It On Electric today to create a festive, protected space for your family and friends this holiday season.

Late summer nights here in Phoenix typically deliver beautiful, warm weather. It\’s no surprise that many local residents enjoy entertaining in their backyards. And exterior lights are a part of that. It\’s likely that you already realize the beauty and power of outdoor lighting. Even the simplest of installations can create a very festive atmosphere.

Follow these tips for selecting exterior lights to turn your outdoor space into an oasis of fun. Whether you are hosting a birthday party or relaxing under the stars, a warm glow can amp up your experience.

String Lighting

These long strands feature evenly spaced bulbs along a single cord, and they are incredibly popular for outdoor installation. Even if you don\’t have a dedicated patio cover in your backyard, you can create the illusion of one with string lights.

It will benefit you to have these professionally installed. You\’ll want quality materials, as well as a custom, permanent design you can be proud of. Too often, people hang their own lights and are disappointed with the outcome. It\’s not as simple \”as seen on TV.\” Hire experience, and get exactly what you envision.

These string lights further define various spaces in your yard, letting guests know which areas are for dining, lounging, socializing, and other activities. You\’ll want an expert handling it all, especially when it comes to higher installations and areas that lack electrical outlets.

Pathway Lighting

While some of your guests may be familiar with the layout of your backyard, you may not always be able to claim this for everyone who visits your home. With pathway lights, your guests will be able to see their way around your yard, helping to prevent anyone from tripping and falling or stumbling into your garden.

You\’ll want these professionally installed to ensure that the lights aren\’t too bright. You don\’t want them to overwhelm people\’s eyes in the darkness. The goal here is to simply illuminate the path, not brighten up the entire yard. If you have any stairs in your yard, the experts will know to give these areas extra attention, as they are common sites for accidents in the night.

Focused Garden Lighting

In addition to illuminating the areas where you and your guests will be hanging out, it is also a good idea to showcase some of the most attractive aspects of your garden. For example, if you have a large tree on your property, a vertical spotlight can help to show it off. Flowers with bright colors, unique plants, and decorative items are some other prime locations for localized exterior lights.

When lighting up your garden, your lighting professional will focus on just a few key pieces that truly stand out. Because you\’ll want to highlight your yard\’s best features, not light up the entire space. Again, it\’s a good idea to keep exterior lights relatively dim so they don\’t distract from the overall ambiance of your outdoor area under the stars.

Take the Overall Effect into Account

When it comes to placing exterior lights, it pays to have at least an expert plan in place before you get started. This way, you can develop a cohesive lighting design for the entire space, not just individual pieces. With an efficient plan in mind, you\’ll achieve a space that sets the perfect mood for entertaining.

At Turn It On Electric, we\’ll verify your fixtures are designed for optimal outdoor use. This will ensure that your exterior lights can withstand a variety of weather conditions and minimize the risk of electrocution.

Upgrade Your Phoenix Backyard with Exterior Lights

When you are ready to transform your yard with exterior lights, the Turn It On Electric team is here to help. We\’ll work with you to develop the overall design for your space and install everything for you – safely and efficiently. Call today to get started.

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.
___
*Affix a spotlight in a tree and point the beam down to replicate “moonshine” on your pool or seating arrangement.