Outdoor lighting makes homes shine

One simple move can make your home look more appealing by enhancing both the architecture and landscaping: Add outdoor lighting.

But there's an even better reason to shine a light on your house. Industry experts say a lit home at night is safer and reduces the risk of burglary by 50 to 70 percent.

"People feel more comfortable when they come back to their home at night and the house is lit up," said Neil Salt, marketing director for Aurora Outdoor Lighting in Clearwater. "It offers people a sense of comfort and, in some ways, depicts the fact that someone is home and there is activity at the house. If you came up to a house at night and it was pitch black with no lighting, it could suggest that someone is not there."

Homeowners today are more inclined to choose low-voltage light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs over the higher-voltage incandescent and halogen lamps, Salt said. LEDs cost more upfront but offer significant long-term savings by using far less energy than incandescent and halogen. Plus, they don't need to be replaced nearly as often. Beginning in 2012, federal mandates will require phasing out traditional incandescent bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient bulbs.

"LED has only recently become a viable option as they've increased power and have become available at a much-reduced price," Salt said. "We used to be talking about $50 to $60 for a lamp. Now, you're only talking $20. It runs on about 85 percent less energy than using halogen and it comes in a variety of colors and is cool to touch, so it's safe for children. You can run LED off solar technology as well."

Homeowners looking to sell can set themselves apart from the competition by enhancing their architecture with lighting, said Patti Lansing, owner of Lightscape Landscape Lighting Inc.

"With the way the economy is with the slow market, when it comes to selling your home, you're out to get every bang for your buck," Lansing said. "To improve curb appeal is paramount."

And, as Salt noted, that means putting colorful, tropical plantings in the spotlight after the sun goes down.

"By using some creative techniques, you can really accentuate your landscape at night."

Aurora lighting has taken that one step further by designing the only Underwriters Laboratories-approved high-intensity underwater light, he said. It's a natural for the Bay area, where so many homes are on the Gulf.

"The lights attract fish, so people spend more time on their docks," he said. "It creates your own underwater aquarium."

To get a safe and well-designed lighting system, it's best to hire an experienced professional to do the work. For high-voltage installations, a licensed electrician is required. A professional can ensure the wiring is trenched correctly in the ground to withstand weather changes and not impede lawn maintenance.

"I think the average homeowner goes to a home improvement store and buys a lighting kit ... but then they don't know where to start," Lansing said. "They don't know where to put it, what kind to get, how to get under sidewalks, across driveways, how to keep the wire from getting cut by an edger or lawnmower.

"You really need somebody with an artistic eye that understands the nuances of light, as well as shadows. You can ruin a job by over lighting and not allowing hues and shadows. That's what makes it look awesome."