Do you ever notice how some houses look like they’re lit up like a Christmas tree while others just seem kind of dark? Believe it or not, the wattage for outdoor lights plays a big role in how your home looks from the street.
Homes without landscape lights look cold and unwelcoming. If a home’s landscape lights are too bright, it doesn’t look good either. This is why it’s important to use bulbs that fall in the right range for outdoor home use.
So if you’re wondering what the best wattage is for outdoor lights around homes, wonder no more! Keep reading to find out.
What Is A Watt?
A watt is the amount of energy a light bulb uses. The technical definition is that a watt quantifies the rate of energy transfer.
The lower the wattage, the lower the energy use and the less money you spend to use that energy. The more watts you use, the more energy you use. This energy turns into heat, which is why non-LED light bulbs get hot.
People use different wattages for different lighting types, so you’ll want to get the right one. You don’t want your lights to burn out too quickly or not turn on at all.
The Best Wattage For Outdoor Lights
The best wattage for outdoor lights is 40 watts and lower. Up to 40 watts is ideal for lighting pathways, garden beds, and other landscape areas.
40 to 80 watts are great for brightening areas like driveways, smaller yards, and the inside of your home. It may be best to use them sparingly if you put them outdoors.
Anything 80 watts and over is too bright for most home landscape lighting. This is the floodlight range, which works best as security lights for larger lawns and driveways.
Why This Is The Best Wattage For Outdoor Lighting
40 watts is the ideal amount of brightness for outdoor areas at home. People can see clearly without going blind, it looks pretty, and still shows off the best parts of your landscape.
80 watts and lower are dark sky lighting approved. They don’t create too much damaging light pollution, which disturbs nocturnal animals. They’re great for lighting your yard and helping the environment.
High Watt Lights
There’s no doubt about it: high-wattage light bulbs are brighter than your average light bulb. But what exactly is a high wattage light bulb, and where do they work best?
High wattage light bulbs are typically 100 watts or more. They produce a lot of light, making them ideal for outdoor areas. However, they also consume more energy than lower wattage bulbs, so they’re not as efficient in terms of energy usage.
You’ll typically find light bulbs of this wattage range in large commercial areas like parking lots and pedestrian areas. They’re too bright for most outdoor areas around the home, though you may be able to use some on the lower end for larger areas around your home.
Medium Watt Lights
Medium wattage lights are a popular choice for outdoor lighting because they provide a brighter light than low wattage lights without being as harsh as high wattage lights.
They are typically between 40 and 80 watts. Most outdoor lights for homes are around 60 watts.
These lights work best in areas where you need bright light but don’t want to blind yourself or your guests. For example, they’re perfect for lighting up a pathway or illuminating a garden bed.
Be sure to choose a light that is rated for use in wet locations if it will be exposed to the elements.
Low Watt Lights
Low-wattage light bulbs use less energy than standard bulbs and can save you money on your electric bill. These bulbs come in a range of wattages, from 4 watts up to 15 watts, though anything 40 watts and below is also considered low wattage. The lower the wattage, the dimmer the light will be.
As a general rule of thumb, 4-watt bulbs are good for small accent lights, while 15-watt bulbs can provide enough light for a pathway or set of stairs.
When choosing light bulbs for your landscape, be sure to consider the placement of the fixtures as well as the wattage of the bulbs. For example, placing a low-wattage bulb in a fixture that is exposed to the elements will result in a shorter lifespan for the bulb. Conversely, placing a high-wattage bulb in a sheltered location will help it last longer.
By taking into account both the wattage and the placement of your landscape lights, you can create an effective and efficient lighting plan for your yard.
Wattage vs. Lumens
Watts measure the amount of energy a light bulb uses, while lumens measure the amount of light that a bulb produces. So, more watts means more energy used, and more lumens means more light produced.
But which is better? That depends on what you’re looking for.
If you’re looking for an energy-efficient light bulb, then lumens are a better measurement to focus on. This is because newer, more efficient bulbs can produce just as much light as older, less efficient bulbs using fewer watts. You’ll want to know the best lumen level for outdoor lights before you install any.
However, if you’re looking for a bright light bulb, then wattage is a better measurement to focus on. This is because brightness is determined by the amount of energy a bulb uses, not the amount of light it produces. So, a higher-wattage bulb will be brighter than a lower-wattage bulb, regardless of lumen output
What Makes A Good Outdoor Light Bulb?
You’ll want to consider a few things when choosing a light bulb for your landscape lighting:
- Bulb lifespan
- Brightness
- Emits a low level of heat
- Has a good Energy Star Certification rating
- Where you’ll be placing the lights and what it’ll be illuminating
In the end, the best wattage for outdoor lights is under 80 watts.
Contact Premier Ponds & Lighting To Brighten Your Outdoor Area
When it comes to outdoor lighting, you want to choose a wattage that will provide the right level of brightness without wasting energy. Our team can help you select the perfect wattage for your needs and install your new lighting system quickly and efficiently.
Fill out our contact form today so we can start talking about your project!