Category Archives: Residential

Security lighting provides a level of illumination to clearly identify persons or objects and creates a psychological deterrent to criminal activity in the area being protected. –Crime Prevention

Protection professionals identify 4 basic types of outside security lighting:

1. Continuous – This is an arrangement of fixed, dusk-to-dawn lighting for one area.
2. Emergency – Emergency lights may serve as standby lighting and often has a stand-alone power source.
3. Moveable – Like searchlights, movable lights are usually app-controlled.
4. Standby – These can be motion-activated or turn on/off with a timer system.

There are also security lighting solutions that are less complex and more user-friendly:

• Area – If you want your pool area or backyard illuminated, you would use area lighting.
• Controlled – This is a type of continuous lighting for smaller spaces. It has less of a projection range.
• Landscape – Landscape lighting isn’t considered security lighting but it does provide a measure of safety. Visitors can safely navigate walkways in the dark. Landscape lighting for flowerbeds near your home or windows makes areas less attractive to burglars.
• Surface – Surface lights are perhaps the security lighting method homeowners prefer. It illuminates the “face” of your home or garage.

There are several types of security light systems for homes and commercial properties. You can upgrade your outdoor lighting for increased illumination or use monitored professional services. Whatever you choose, it’s a small investment that can pay big dividends in peace of mind.

Invest in Security Lighting as a Psychological Deterrent

Home and commercial security lighting should deter trespassers and provide better nighttime visuals of your property. For a long while, we believed motion detectors were the best type of security lighting. But to activate the light, the trespasser has to already be on your property. So it’s not a deterrent as much as it is a report of activity. 

That’s the difference between security lighting and motion sensors. Some motion sensors include security lighting and/or video recording. But none of them acts as a deterrent to trespassers.

Effective security lighting should cause “the bad guys” to stop and consider their exposure on your property. Hopefully, they’ll pass you by. If they decide to proceed, your security lighting should incorporate some kind of camera to reveal who was on your property.

Form and Function With Landscape Lighting

What if you make your outdoor security lighting look like a landscape design? Landscape lights can also form a protective barrier of lighting security. It’s beautiful and enhances your home and the neighborhood.

An example would be tasteful floodlights directed at your home’s exterior. You can see the illumination and not the glare from a bright light source.

Downlights are considered “task lights.” They can illuminate walkways and driveways but they also reveal trespassers.

Entrance lights can be downlights. The objective is to shine brighter light directly on your door. Unwanted visitors avoid well-illuminated doors.

Call Turn It On Electric For Home Safety and Security

Do a walkaround of your property at night and keep this in mind: Criminals don’t like to be seen. Do you have vulnerable places that need security lighting or a lighting upgrade?

We can offer suggestions that will save money and maximize your security. For example, the brightest lights aren’t always what’s best for the area you want to be illuminated. Bright lights can feel invasive to close neighbors. Often, a 40-watt bulb is as effective as a 100-watt.

If you have elderly friends or relatives, you want them to be able to navigate pathways safely. We’d like to discuss landscape lights as security lighting for your property. TIO Electric professionals also are experienced in installing light-and-video security systems as well as video doorbells.

Living in Arizona is just one of the smart choices you’ve made. Another smart home option is partnering with Turn It On Electric of Phoenix. Call us for more information.

Are you thinking about monthly savings with energy-efficient retrofits? Perhaps you want to enhance the appearance of your home. Phoenix lighting upgrades are one of the best home improvement investments.

LED Phoenix Lighting Upgrades

The most energy-efficient electrical upgrade you can make is to switch to LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. Since 1907, inventors experimented with and/or accidentally stumbled into LED technology. But it was 1962 before a practical application was found.

The tax credit (EPAct 179D) for commercial properties is now permanent. Lighting retrofits and other energy-efficient improvements for 2021 and beyond now qualify.

For homeowners, switching 5 incandescent light bulbs to LED could save $7.40 for one month. Again, that’s simply upgrading five lamp light bulbs.

Manage Monthly Energy Use With Timers

You can see (and feel) the price increases at the gas pumps.  But residential energy costs are higher, too. The Energy Information Administration anticipates yet another 2.8% increase in retail electricity by 2022.

No energy savings ideas are too small because those pennies add up! Putting various household appliances on timers saves money.

Here are 6 creative ways to reduce energy loss with timers:

1. Charging stations/wall outlets – You can use automatic shut-off timers to control power supplies.
2. Ductless ACs – Mini-split air conditioners are becoming more popular, but they use more energy than most appliances. Setting a timer can reduce energy usage substantially.
3. Holiday lights – Indoor and outdoor winter holiday decorations are a luxury, but they deliver too much happiness to do without. Put them on timers to come on a dusk and turn off at midnight.
4. Motion/safety lights – Set outside timers to activate sunset to sunrise. You can pre-program indoor lights to switch on sunset to sunrise while you’re out of town.
5. Phantom power-users – No one unplugs washers or dryers in-between usage. Most people don’t unplug computers, toasters, etc. You can integrate timers to “disconnect” these electric vampires during times they’re never in use anyway, like midnight to 6:00 a.m.
6. Pool/garden – You can control when your pool filter and sprinkler systems activate and for how long. This is also a good way to prevent overwatering your plants and lawn.

7 Lighting Upgrades To Increase Property Value

Some lighting upgrades are critical to showcasing your home, especially in a buyers’ market. Here in Phoenix, lighting upgrades for your Maricopa County that will increase property value include:

1. Bathroom – Sconces on each side of the mirror are nice, but any good lighting is effective in a bathroom, especially above the vanity. Also, consider recessed lights or drum pendants.
2. Consider colors – Light pink bulbs are actually the most flattering for staging a home. The “warm” color creates a feeling of intimacy.
3. Dimmers – They conserve energy and enhance ambience. What’s not to love?
4. Fixtures – Out-of-date light fixtures make a big impression on potential buyers. And not a good one. Replace chandeliers with modern, style-neutral new fixtures.
5. Natural light – Take advantage of the natural light sources you may have been ignoring. If you don’t have much natural light, one trick is to paint the ceiling a brighter shade than the walls. The walls should be a warm, creamier off-white.
6. Smart technology – People continue to be amazed when walking into a room can automatically turn on a light. Pre-programmed thermostats that can boost the air conditioning 20 minutes before you arrive home are impressive. Smart technology sells houses.
7. Wall switches/outlets – Old-looking, yellowish wall outlets and light switches are more of a turn-off than you’d think.  So are visible, overloaded power strips. They may even serve as a red flag that your house needs rewiring.

If you’re considering Phoenix lighting upgrades for your home, contact Turn It On Electric. We have ideas that are affordable and can save money while increasing your property value.

Don’t plan your project without Turn It On Electric! We’re eager to help.