Jul 25, 2024 10:49:32 AM
There are many benefits to professional outdoor lighting. It can enhance the curb appeal, safety, and security of your home. It can also make it more functional, helping you and your family to spend more time outside.
Of course, if you’re thinking about having outdoor lighting professionally installed, you might be wondering how long it will last. After all, we understand that a project like this is no small investment so you want to get maximum value for your investment.
Your concerns about the durability and lifespan of lighting fixtures is valid. You deserve to get the most out of your project with the best outdoor lighting quality.
In this article, we will answer the common question: How long does outdoor lighting last?
We want to help you understand what factors might affect outdoor lighting quality and what you can anticipate from your new professionally installed outdoor lighting design.
How long your outdoor lighting system lasts will depend on a few factors, including the quality of the fixtures and bulbs, what type of lighting technology that you’re using, whether or not it was a professional job, and how often you run the system.
Let’s look at how these factors impact the longevity of your outdoor lights.
Obviously, the quality of the components of your outdoor lighting system will make a big difference in how long it lasts. The cheap fixtures that you can buy at a hardware store simply aren’t going to stand up to what a high-quality pro is using.
While a lot of big box stores and hardware stores sell cheap outdoor lighting fixtures made from materials like plastic or aluminum, you want to make sure that you’re getting high-quality brass or copper. Unfortunately, even some landscape lighting companies will install cheaper lighting fixtures.
Since your lights are subject to being bumped and banged by various elements (such as the mower, your child playing catch or kicking a soccer ball, or even just foot traffic), you want the strongest material possible.
Another factor is the type of lighting technology that you’re investing in. LED light technology is far superior to outdated incandescent lighting.
Low-voltage LED lighting uses a fraction of the electricity that incandescent or halogen bulbs use which means you’ll see a big difference in your electric bill. On average, LED bulbs use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and they can last around 25 times longer.
LED outdoor lighting that has been designed to be weather-resistant will also be able to withstand the elements. That includes intense temperature variations, rain, and other harsh conditions.
Professionally installed outdoor lighting is also going to last longer than a DIY job. This is for some of the very reasons we’ve mentioned above (improved outdoor lighting quality and superior lighting technology).
But it’s also the know-how involved in running outdoor wires and installing a system. There are many nuances involved in installing outdoor lighting and if it’s not done right, it can impact the longevity of your system.
One of the big variances that can make it difficult to pinpoint a specific amount of time that outdoor lighting will last is that everyone runs their lights for different amounts of time.
Obviously if you have your lights on for half the night, your bulbs will need to be replaced faster than someone who only has the system on for several hours a night.
At Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio, our outdoor lighting systems typically last around 5 to 10 years, but that can vary based on how long the lights are turned on each night.
While it’s true that you could save some money on the front end by buying cheap lighting from the hardware store or even working with a company that doesn’t invest in high-quality products, you are likely setting yourself up for disappointment in the long run.
By paying more upfront for better outdoor lighting quality, you are going to get more long-term value. That means a system that lasts longer.
A professional should also be able to offer outdoor lighting maintenance which can also make a huge difference in maintaining the longevity of your system. This can also help you avoid dealing with frustrations.
At Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio, we recommend investing in a maintenance program.
Having your lights inspected and maintained twice a year as part of our Lighting Maintenance Program will help to ensure everything continues to run optimally. This can help prevent frustrating problems like dimmed or flickering lights that will inhibit you from enjoying your property to the fullest.
At the end of the day, like most things in life, you tend to get what you pay for. In order to get the most possible longevity out of your outdoor lighting system, it’s worth choosing a pro who doesn’t cut corners or skimp on product quality.
When you work with a skilled professional, you will also gain peace of mind.
Of course, the keyword is “skilled.” Even some so-called landscape lighting “pros” only do this type of work as an add-on service. They might own a landscaping business and they just do lighting from time to time. That can impact the quality and longevity of your new outdoor lighting.
But at Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio, lighting is all that we do. For that reason, we know all of the proper techniques and are committed to staying up to date on best practices. We also use the latest technology and high-quality lighting products.
If you choose Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio for your outdoor lighting project, we are ready to help you maximize the enjoyment and use of your outdoor areas with a lighting design that is customized for you. With just the right lighting, you’ll be enjoying your property more than ever.
Are you ready to create a secure, functional, and beautiful property at any hour of the day? If so, let’s meet and discuss some bright ideas.
