LEDs, otherwise known as light emitting diodes, have gained popularity in recent years because they are useful for various outdoor lighting applications. In contrast with incandescent and fluorescent lights that have filaments in glass bulbs with gases, LEDs are solid-state lights that have a longer life expectancy. Their size measures from 3 to 88 mm, which makes them ideal for use in spaces that have been considered too narrow for other lightbulbs to fit in. Another notable feature of LEDs is that they emit light in a particular direction, making them more efficient than incandescent and fluorescent lamps that emit light in all directions.

Moreover, the life of a high-powered white LED lasts from 35,000 to 50,000 hours, as opposed to 750 to 2,000 hours for an incandescent bulb, and 8,000 to 10,000 hours for a compact fluorescent lamp. It is also practical to opt for LEDs since they remain cool, unlike conventional lightbulbs, which waste their energy as heat. Additionally, LEDs have no glass components, so they are unbreakable. This makes them a popular choice for sports facilities and high-crime locations.

If LEDs have been poorly designed, they cannot last for long and may become inefficient. However, those which have passed the standards of Energy Star are expected to show a stable light for a longer period of time. Quality LEDs are also expected to light up as soon as they are turned on. Neither should they flicker nor consume any energy when they are turned off. 

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Street lights and lamps have changed a lot over the years. Compared to oil, gas, and candle-based lighting fixtures of old, most outdoor lights these days run on electricity and even sustainable solar energy. Given the wide selection of lighting fixtures available, it would be wise to know which indoor and outdoor lights can best suit your home.

A good number of street lamps these days consist of fluorescent variants, which are essentially low-pressure mercury lamps that boast of decent illumination and light diffusion at affordable prices. Fluorescent lamps are also considered energy-efficient and eco-friendly since they contain low amounts of mercury vapor, albeit at the expense of comparative longevity. Mercury vapor lamps, meanwhile, are considered improvements over fluorescent lamps, although these variants are mostly suitable for use in sports stadiums and arenas rather than in residential properties.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs), on the other hand, have quickly become popular thanks to their revolutionary design. Unlike the aforementioned “discharge lamps”, LEDs don't rely on radiation to create light; rather, they generate electric currents to produce illumination. The absence of gases also means that LEDs don't burn out quickly, thereby granting them greater energy efficiency and service lives that set the bar for future lighting technologies.

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If a well-lit home can be an attraction in the neighborhood, so can a well-lit commercial establishment. A dim or dull business outlet might seem dubious and uninviting for would-be clients. They would have second thoughts of even entering the premises and would most likely avoid it like the plague.

On the other hand, a brightly illuminated commercial building will be an inviting place for customers to go into. Shoppers will be easily enticed to visit it, with the lights serving as a come-on. For these reasons, any retail outlet wanting to increase profits would do well to install an excellent commercial outdoor lighting system.

This is especially essential during the holidays, when people are eager to shop and usually have the money to do so. Commercial outdoor lights can even be used to create the proper mood and environment, keeping with the holiday season, that would encourage shoppers to feel the Christmas cheer and indulge in a spending spree.

Commercial outdoor lights do not only make an establishment attractive, but also give shoppers a feeling of safety and security. The holiday spirit—and a business itself—can be kept alive with the help of great outdoor lighting enhancing business profitability and marketability.

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A higher voltage doesn't always mean brighter light; in fact, voltage isn't power (that's measured in watts). Voltage refers to how much force is exerted to create a current along the line from the power source to the outdoor lamp. High voltage simply means there's more electricity flowing at a given time but not necessarily a stronger one. People often mistake voltage for wattage. This is something that must be clarified prior to work on any home improvement project.

You can still have bright light with a low-voltage system for your garden. Power-wise, a 60-watt lamp operating on 12 volts is hardly any different from the same lamp operating on ten times the voltage. Keep in mind, however, that voltage can drop if a line is connected to several fixtures, in a set-up called a daisy chain. If you see that some of the lamps in the garden aren't as bright as the rest, the problem isn't necessarily with the wattage but the voltage.

In fact, experts recommend against daisy chaining in outdoor lighting. You can arrange the electrical system to “form a T” for the lights to receive an equal amount of voltage. This is recommended for low-voltage systems so an equal amount of light can be sustained across a landscape. 

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Thieves love the dark. Under the cover of night, they can slip past your fence, steal your valuables, escape unseen, and pull off a successful heist. Imagine a robber making it across your front yard, with the only thing standing between him and the loot being a couple of outdoor lights in your garden. If you had any doubts about installing those before, consider your investment worth it now. In this situation, they're exactly what you need.

With the outdoor lights on at night, a thief's stealthy advantage disappears and his chances of getting caught by neighbors—if not the house owner—increases. Experts say that outdoor lighting can do a great deal in deterring thefts in homes. Thanks to these and a good security system, any trespasser will most likely be caught in the act before he can scoot off a property with the loot. Haven't you ever wondered why agents in movies avoid floodlights while spying?

If you're looking for an affordable addition to your garden and security system, look no further than outdoor lighting. Go for LED lighting to get the most value for your money. While a more expensive choice, LED makes up for it by giving off brighter light for less power. 

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Installing landscape lighting is the easiest way to create the right kind of ambiance for any outdoor occasion. More than this, it can also make your lawn or garden just as beautiful at night as it is in the daytime, as well as provide your home with added security. Various outdoor lighting may be used to create a special mood in your garden or lawn.

Path lights along the walkway create a welcoming atmosphere for guests, as well as help them avoid accidents by helping them see where they're walking. Lights on step risers can also help ensure safe footing and prevent any mishaps.

Spotlights targeted on beautiful trees or other features of interest in your yard can create a stunning effect. If you want to highlight a bed of flowers or shrubbery, rope lighting may be appropriate. Wall mounted lights can accent an interesting wall texture or design. The right deck and porch lights can also create a soft, warm glow around your home at night.

Experts say that the most effective landscape lights are those that give off a soft glow rather than a harsh glare. Not only do these types of lighting give your home a quiet kind of beauty, they are also more energy-efficient and economical. In particular, LED and solar-powered lights are ideal for creating that enchanting outdoor look without incurring high energy costs.

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