Houston Commercial Outdoor Lighting Done Right With LED Lighting

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What Can Outdoor LED Lights Do for Your Commercial Property?

There are many decisions to make when it comes to landscaping and this is also true of the lighting. One option that you would certainly want to consider, however, is using LED lights. Not only are they environmentally friendly, they cut costs because of their energy efficiency. For those that own a business, staying within a budget is of prime concern and using LED lights is certainly going to push the needle in the right direction. The savings can be used in many other areas of your business, including marketing.

We are going to talk about some of the benefits of using LED lights but before we do, it’s important to know about the energy savings. You may see up to an 80% reduction in your electricity usage when using LED lights because the bulbs are more efficient. That is one of the reasons why it is recommended that all of your outdoor commercial lighting uses LED lights.

How much longer will they last? A typical incandescent lightbulb will last approximately 1000 hours but LED lights may last anywhere from 30,000 up to 50,000 hours. According to some sources, that number may be much higher and could be upwards of 100,000 hours. Another benefit of having these long-lasting bulbs on your commercial property is the fact that it reduces maintenance because they don’t need to be replaced as frequently.

Most people don’t know what makes LED (light emitting diodes) lights unique in comparison to an incandescent bulb. An LED light is a semiconductor device and when you pass electrical current through it, it creates the light that you see. There really is no comparison, because LED lights will last longer, run more efficiently and are a much better choice than a regular bulb. You even have differences in color, with the primary choices being red, blue and green. Did you realize that there isn’t actually a white LED light? When you see a white LED, it is because of a mixture of colors and phosphor material.

One of the downfalls of LED lights is that they aren’t ideal for lighting up an entrance or other areas that need a broad light. They shine in one direction, so that does make them ideal for lighting up a sign or using in landscaping. It is that unidirectional effect of an LED light that helps to make them more efficient. An incandescent bulb throws light in every direction, using much more energy as a result.

LED lights can be found in many different industries. You can find them in your home when you open your refrigerator or when you use a camera flash. They can also be seen in many areas throughout your local area, including traffic signals, aviation lighting and headlamps in your car.

Incandescent bulbs will produce heat when they produce light. When you use an LED fault, on the other hand, there is very little heat loss and they only work when they’re cool enough. They are designed specifically for this type of efficiency.

If you’re considering installing LED lights on your commercial property, it is always a good idea to contact the best outdoor lighting company Houston TX has to offer. They will ensure that the LED lights are not only well-suited for the task but are also compliant with any standards that may be involved in your industry. In addition, you can tell them what you want to have as an end result and they will take your vision and bring it to life. It doesn’t matter if you want to light up the walkway, advertise your sign on the building or shine some light up through the trees for beauty, they will make it a reality.

All types of businesses around the world are now making use of outdoor commercial LED lighting. When you use it at your place of business, it allows your advertising on a property to work for you 24 hours a day. This can be a real benefit because it gives you marketing without having to put extra money out of your pocket. Of course, you would want everything to be designed appropriately for your business and that is another reason why you should have professional designers and installers for your landscape lighting.

Along with using your property for advertising, you can also improve your curb appeal and brand your business using LED lights. They come in many different shapes, sizes, and types including different colors, mini lights and even specialty lighting that will really help to make your landscaping pop. There are even some commercial options available that are very low voltage and those with a strobe effect that will really make heads turn.

When you use a professional landscape company to design and install the lights, there is another benefit that you should keep in mind. Since those companies often work directly with the distributor, they can get you a much better price than what you would pay directly. This savings is passed on to you and can be recirculated in your business for a variety of purposes.

In addition, you don’t want to have your business down and out while the landscaping is taking place. Using the best outdoor lighting company Houston TX has to offer can get the job done quickly so that you can be backed up and running without a hitch. They will even respect the nearby landscaping so that they don’t disturb anything that you may have worked hard to achieve.

It’s time to consider LED lighting for your commercial space. Contact us or call Robert Huff Illumination for more information as to how you can use LED lights to improve your property and your business.

How To Protect Your Outdoor Lighting From Power Surges

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Protecting Your Home And Your Outdoor Lights From Surges

Here in Texas, the weather is always unpredictable and often very intense. Some days there are severe lightning storms, other days there is large hail, and some days there are winds that surpass 100 MPH. Unfortunately, none of these conditions are ideal for outdoor lighting fixtures. The weather happens to be responsible for much of the damage they incur.

Understanding The Electrical Surge

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | Protect Your Outdoor Lighting From Houston WeatherAn electrical surge occurs when there is a large spike in voltage that happens very quickly. These surges are actually happening around us all of the time. Whenever you enter a room and turn on the light there is a sudden electrical surge in your home’s system. Such small surges are extremely common and nothing to worry about. It’s how the circuits are designed to work and there is no danger to your wiring or to your lights. That being said, over a long period of time, these constant surges can lead to the degradation of equipment.

There are certain electrical surges that should worry you. These are the large surges that are very strong and often originate outside of the house. They may come from a lightning storm or a downed power line. These surges are so sudden and powerful that they could fry every electronic that is connected to the same electrical circuit.

You may have heard of homeowners who unplug their electronics during storms. They do so to avoid these large surges. However, that is not their only option. An alternative is to use a powerful surge protector.

Protecting Your Home And Outdoor Lights

You don’t want to go outside and unhook your outdoor lights every time there is a storm. Instead, you want to rely on a powerful surge protector to protect your lights as well as the rest of your electronics. Your two options are whole-house surge protectors and plug-in surge protectors. Let’s consider each of these individually.

1. Whole-House Surge Protectors.

These offer the best possible protection for your electrical devices. As the name implies, they protect everything that is connected to your home’s electrical circuit. That includes lights, electronics, fans, oven, and any other appliances.

A whole-house surge protector must be installed at the circuit breaker by a professional outdoor lighting company in Houston. They rely on metal oxide varistors (MOVs) to lead the spike in voltage away from the home’s circuit and into the ground. These surge protectors will eventually degrade over time. It’s important that you have them regularly inspected and maintained by a professional. They can typically handle several severe lightning storms with large surges before needing to be replaced.

2. Plug-In Protectors.

A plug-in, or point-of-use, surge protector, on the other hand, can usually only handle a single large surge before they require some maintenance or replacement parts. They are great for protecting a single device or even a group of appliances in the same general area but aren’t efficient enough for the entire home. Furthermore, they can’t really protect outdoor lighting unless it has a plug-in that can connect to the surge protector.

Protect Your Outdoor Lights.

Protecting your outdoor lights from serious surges can save you a lot of money over the years. This is especially true in Texas, where the storms can be extremely severe. Your best option is to utilize an MOV surge protector installed by a professional outdoor lighting company in Houston. Of course, even that won’t protect your lights from a direct lightning strike. Direct strikes aside, surge protectors from Robert Huff Illumination & Outdoor Lightning can protect your outdoor lights from the largest of surges.

Call now or contact Robert Huff Illumination for more information regarding our outdoor lighting services!

Most Common Causes Of Circuit Breaker Problems

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Learn Frequent Causes Of Circuit Breaker Trips, Short Circuits, And Overloads

Your fuse box and/or circuit breaker is a critical component of your larger electrical system. It gives your electrical devices and wiring protection from prospective damage or excessive current that might trigger a fire to start.

The main function of your fuse box and circuit breaker is protecting your electrical system from things like damage and fires by first shutting off any current when there is a short circuit or an overload. Without a circuit breaker, unlimited amounts or levels of electricity might flow into your house and start a fire. A tripped breaker or a blown fuse often seem like a nuisance, but it’s still much better than having irreparable damage to costly appliances and electronics, or worse yet, a fire in your home.

Any fuse that cuts off power has to get replaced. However, a circuit breaker can just be reset. Learn what steps are necessary to replace any tripped circuit breaker or replace blown fuses.

Do your breakers trip very often? Learn three of the most common causes behind tripping circuit breakers, as well as what you might do about it.

Just Why Do Your Circuit Breakers Get Tripped?

There are two main reasons why a circuit breaker trips. The first is an overloaded circuit, which is just too much power. The second is a short circuit, which is when the electricity goes down an incorrect pathway. The third reason is often aging circuit breakers that have to get replaced.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | Outdoor Lighting Preservation in Houston TexasReason For Overloaded Circuit:

When any breaker trips, it’s usually a result of one overloaded circuit. Each of your electrical panel’s circuits was designed so they could handle specific amounts of power or electricity. That’s typically 15-amp circuits. Some areas of your home might need to actually handle larger loads. That’s often rooms like your laundry, your kitchen, or bathrooms. Those typically have 20-amp circuits instead. Large appliances might also get dedicated circuits, like water heaters or HVAC systems. Those are often served by 30 or even 50-amp circuits.

All these various circuits have limits, which are measured in amps. If the demand for power exceeds the level or amount of electricity which a breaker can handle safely, then it detects a discrepancy and trips the breaker prior to there being a hazard of overheating or even fire.

You can easily identify the maximum current rating for every circuit, just be looking at your breaker. Each handle should have the maximum amperage written on it.

When you happen to overload any circuit, then it means you’re trying to push an excess of power through a single circuit. That often happens if you’re running a pair or more of big energy-consumers simultaneously. That could be a vacuum and a space heater, a microwave and a television, or a toaster with a window air conditioning unit.

Given that most circuits are built for 15 amps, asking for 20 is going to trip your breaker so you don’t have overheating or a fire hazard.

How you can solve this issue:

If you happen to be overloading any circuit, there is a reason behind it. If you want to keep it from occurring again, then plug one of your biggest energy consumers into one of the other circuits. You might also just stop using one device. In winter, circuits often get overloaded by space heaters. If there are times where you are warm enough, consider unplugging your space heater for a short while.

Older and/or damaged appliances are also potential causes, so it’s critical that you do rudimentary maintenance. It’s a good idea to have an annual electrical safety inspection to make sure that all your installed hardware is still in robust condition. If your home has exterior lights or outlets, use a Houston outdoor lighting professional for your inspection to be sure about everything.

Short Circuit:

Can you think back to science classes in elementary school? You might just remember that closed circuits let currents flow and that open circuits shut the flow off. A short circuit, alternatively, happens when an unintended and direct connection between a pair of points occurs. Electric current always takes a path of least resistance, so a short circuit is most likely going to happen given that electricity is inherently ‘lazy.’

Any short circuit is going to indicate a black or ‘hot’ wire has started touching another wire, which is either another hot wire or a ‘white’ neutral wire. Another scenario involves a hot wire becoming grounded, which might cause the breaker to then trip.

Warning: When any hot wire interacts with any other wire inside your electrical system, then an excess of current gets generated. That creates an abundance of heat and can trigger overheating, circuit damage, and even possibly a fire. Since there’s nothing there to absorb that electricity, any heat buildup is going to happen quickly. That’s just one of many reasons it’s critical to have circuit interrupters in your electrical system.

How you can solve this issue:

If a short circuit is what you have going on, then it’s critical to check out all of your receptacles, light switches, and plugged-in cords for damage. Find the tripped breaker to investigate the circuit which it’s connected to. Make sure the circuits are labeled inside the electrical panel if they haven’t been already, or just confirm the labeling is right.

If you don’t discover issues in your home, consider that outdoor lighting or exterior outlets are an issue, and call in a Houston outdoor lighting professional to check things out.

Should your nose pick up the scent of burning plastic, which might also smell like sulfur or a rotten egg, then you need to call in a professional electrician anyway. Light switches or outlets with burning smells often indicate dangerous wiring situations that might trigger electrical fires. Other signs of possible damage include black or brown discoloration and/or switches or outlets that are sometimes hot when you touch them.

Also look for damaged appliances and frayed cords. In some cases, the short circuit happens inside the appliance itself.

If a short circuit is what you suspect, then you need to turn off any power to that circuit from your electrical panel and then wait until you can have a qualified electrician come out to inspect the circumstances before anyone turns the power back on. When electrical components or wires get crossed, the results are very hazardous, so you need an electrician. More than likely, that professional can replace your bad breaker or let you know which specific appliance is causing issues.

Are your breakers frequently tripping? You might have faulty wiring or loose connections inside the electrical system. A tripping breaker is a strong indication that you need to have an electrician look at your electrical system. If any parts of it go to the exterior of your home, then you might want to get a Houston outdoor lighting professional on the case, as they can handle electrical and wiring issues both inside your home and out.

An Older And/Or Weaker Circuit Breaker Panel:

Short circuits and overload conditions account for most of the tripped breakers that happen. A third potential cause is an older electrical panel which just gets weaker and trips since it can’t handle an electrical load safely any longer.

In Conclusion

Robert Huff Illumination and Outdoor Lighting provides the best solutions for outdoor lighting here in Houston. You will be at peace knowing you are getting your projects done the right way by Houston’s best professionals in outdoor lighting services. Call now or contact Robert Huff Illumination here.

 

How To Weatherproof Outdoor Electrical Plugs And Outlets

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Don’t Let Poor Installation Rain On Your Parade

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | Houston Outdoor Lighting ExpertsThe dangers associated with mixing electricity and water are well-known. Despite that, many people install outdoor electrical outlets and plugs without really thinking about the dangers that could occur during periods of rain.

Most outdoor outlets are designed with covers that flip down over the top of the outlet when they are not being used. Unfortunately, however, these covers do little to protect the outlet when cords are plugged into them. If you really want your outdoor electrical outlets to be protected, you need to find a way to keep rain away even when they are being used. In fact, this safety issue is so important that the National Electrical Code now mandates that outlet covers that are designed to provide protection while the outlet is in use are mandatory for outlets that are exposed to the weather.

Weatherproofing Electrical Plugs And Outlets

The way that the covers for most outdoor electrical outlets are designed, they don’t provide proper protection when an electrical cord is plugged in. Because the cover can’t close the entire way when there is a cord in the outlet, water can get inside. This can cause all kinds of problems ranging from blowing a fuse to triggering a short circuit in the electrical system.

The good news is, there are steps that you can take to safeguard your home against problems with your outdoor electrical outlets.

Invest In ‘While-In-Use’ Covers For Electrical Outlets

These days, many manufacturers make outlet covers that are designed to provide complete protection from the rain and other types of moisture even when the outlet is being used. These large covers are designed to fit around the entire outlet. They have a door on the front that seals off the outlet. A special opening in the bottom of the door allows the cord to run through without compromising the protection that the cover provides.

When choosing a cover for your outlet, you should look for one that is designed for the type of outlet where it will be placed. It should also clearly be labeled as a ‘while-in-use’ cover. Double check to make sure that the outlet cover is in compliance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code. The cover should be designed in such a way that all potential contaminants including water are kept away from the outlet when it is being used.

Installation Tips

Before you even think about installing one of these covers on an electrical outlet, be sure to shut off the power at the breaker box. Hang a note on the breaker box letting people know not to turn the breaker back on so that you can work safely on the outlet without having to worry about the risk of electrocution.

The installation process itself is relatively simple. All that you have to do is remove the existing outlet cover and install the new one in its place. Most of these covers come with detailed instructions on how they should be installed. You should always follow these instructions to make sure that the cover is installed correctly. After all, the success of the cover depends on it being properly installed.

If you aren’t completely certain that you can install the cover safely, you should hire an electrician to do it instead. There is no point in taking a risk with your health and safety.

In most cases, the cover will be designed to fit around the outlet receptacle. The gasket of the cover should fit snugly around the receptacle, preventing water from getting inside. Remember, you will need to install covers on all of your outdoor outlets if you really want your home to be protected.

One of the most popular uses for outdoor outlets is to power string lights during the holiday season. All of these lights should be plugged into outlets that are covered with weatherproof covers. This will help prevent any electrical problems from occurring.

Make Safety A Priority

Anytime you work with electricity, safety needs to be your top priority. Only install the outlet covers if you are completely confident in your abilities. Make sure that the power is shut off before you begin work. Don’t turn the breaker back on until all of the outlet covers are in place.

Finally, make sure that all of the outlets themselves are designed for outdoor use. Because outdoor electrical outlets are exposed to moisture, they need to be GFCI outlets. They should also be regularly tested to make sure that they are working the way that they should.

For more information on outdoor lighting maintenance in Houston, please contact Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting today or call us now for immediate assistance!

Some Tools Of The Trade When It Comes To LED Lighting in Houston

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LED Lighting Guide And LED FAQs

What does LED mean?

LED is short for light-emitting diode.

What is an LED?

An LED is a kind of solid-state lighting that utilizes semiconductors for converting electricity to light. An LED uses about 20% of the energy that traditional incandescent used and can last as much as 25 times longer. LED’s, when compared to halogen incandescent, use about 20% of the amount of energy and will last about 8-25 times longer.

Where can LED’s be used?

LED lights may be used in almost all parts of the house. They can be used with all kinds types of bulbs, including MR reflectors, A-shape, PAR reflectors, recessed, under cabinet and decorative. They may be used to replace 75W, 60W and 40W light bulbs.

Should I make the switch over to LED lighting?

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | Houston LED LightingLED’s are well-known to produce less heat, have better energy efficiency and have longer lifespans when compared with traditional lighting. They also function effectively in both extreme cold and heat and are resistant to shocks and vibrations.

The following are some of the major benefits of LED lighting:

Longer Lifespan – LED lights last up to 10,000 hours or 20 years, which compared to traditional incandescent is about 50 times longer.

More Energy Efficient – When compared to halogens and incandescents use less than 1/6th of the amount of energy.

Lower Maintenance Costs – Enhanced durability and longer lifespan translates into less money and time to maintain and replace lights.

Safe to Use – Because LEDs do not emit harmful IR or UV radiation, contain mercury, or heat up, they are safe to use around humans, flammable objects and art.

More Durable – LEDS don’t use glass bulbs or filaments and are made out of plastic, so they are a lot harder to break and last longer.

Easier to Use – Their higher efficiency allows you to string together multiple LEDs together easily without the circuit getting overloaded. The other bulbs stay lit if one burns out.

Why do LEDs cost more than other bulbs?

The reason why LEDs cost more is because it is more expensive to make them. However, over the long-term they save you money since they reduce replacement, maintenance and energy costs. Prices are expected to go down as technology continues to improve.

What is it about LEDs that make them different compared to other types of bulbs?

There are several different ways that LED lighting differs from other lighting choices:

Light source – LED’s are quite small, only around the size of a dot. They are available in various colors, including color-changing LEDs, white, blue, green and red.

Direction – Light is emitted by LEDs in a specific direction, which eliminates the need for diffusers and reflectors which are used for trapping light. Rather than needing to reflect the light the life within the desired direction in the process losing light and energy, LED make directing light in the direction that you want it easy. That is why it is highly recommended to use LEDs for task lighting, uplighting and recessed downlighting.

We recommend that you use LEDs to replace most of your bulbs, including undercabinet lights, lamps, track lights, recessed fixtures, security lighting and outdoor lighting.

There are various colors to choose form, including motion, daylight and dimmable sensors. LEDs work very well in practically every fixture and area of your house.

So what is the difference between more expensive LED bulbs ($40-$60) and cheaper LED lights ($5-$10)?

Like TVs and other electronics, the more expensive and cheaper versions do have differences among them. For the best energy efficiency and light quality, you should purchase the LED products that cost more.

Light quality is measured by the Color Rendering Index on a 1-100 scale. Search for a CRI rating of 90 or higher.

Will enough light be produced by an LED replacement to replace my original bulb?

In terms of light output, LED light are quite similar to other light bulbs. However, you should visit a lighting store and see exactly how a space is light up by the LED light bulb.

LED lights are now able to replace an incandescent of up to 100 watts effectively.

Just how energy efficient is an LED?

LEDs are actually the most energy efficient lighting options that is available. The way that light bulb efficiency gets measured is by lumens per watt or how much the light output (lumens) is per power unit (watt). According to a U.S. Energy Information Administration report, the EIA is projecting that by 2020 LEDs will be producing over 150 lumens per Watt.

Traditional incandescent, by comparison, produce about 13 to 18 lumens per watt. LEDs currently produce about 83 to 100 lumens per watt, which is still the best efficiency available from light bulbs. There continues to be advances in LED technology in terms of energy efficiency, and also improved quality and color temperature.

Remember that the LED bulb isn’t the only thing determining its energy efficiency. That is because the bulb works along with the light fixture. How much electricity is consumed will depend on both the light fixture design and LED device. If a light fixture is poorly design it will comprise even LED devices that are the most efficient.

That is why it is so important that professional electricians be hired for designing and installing your LED outdoor lighting in Houston as well as your indoor LED lights. LED efficiency does vary by device. To find the most efficient LED devices search for the ENERGY STAR label. Staring this year, LED devices are available at over 100 lumens per watt.

When purchasing LEDs, what should I be looking for?

Always search for lights that an independent testing laboratory has tested and read the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listing.

If you are going to use LED lights outdoor, be sure they have been rated for using outdoors.

Enjoy all of the Benefits that Outdoor LED Lighting provide

Lighting architects and designers prefer using LED for their outdoor lighting applications. That is because they prove arm white light without having to sacrifice lumen output.

Improve lighting quality and minimize energy consumption by contacting Robert Huff Illumination for all of your outdoor LED lighting needs.

LED holiday lights are available in a broad range of styles and colors, including globe lights, icicles, rope lights and twinkle lights.

For more information on outdoor LED options, call or contact Robert Huff Illumination.

Robert Huff Educates On Outdoor String Lighting Patterns

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8 String Light Patterns For Outdoor Spaces And Events

Outdoor string lights are also called café or bistro lights. Having an outdoor lighting company Houston Texas install quality outdoor string lights can provide your event or backyard with added drama and beauty.

There are several different reasons why they are such a popular lighting choice:

Inviting and Casual Ambiance

Outdoor string lights provide a very inviting and casual atmosphere, which is one of the reasons why they are also called café lighting.

Magical Glow

String lights appear to be magical all year long. With their numerous string light designs and patterns, they provide outdoor spaces with a very festive atmosphere.

Very Versatile

You can easily move string lights and they are very adaptable to any kind of environment or space. They also can be used for reviving any space that is in need of a lighting upgrade.

Not only is outdoor string lighting beautiful, but it is practical as well. A string light design that is well executed will lead guest from one place to the next safely as they are moving around your outdoor area.

8 Different String Light Patterns You Can Use

1. V Pattern

String lighting in a V shape is a classic that never goes out of style. A V pattern works well in a smaller space. Just remember that the vertex on the V needs to be able to support a majority of the weight. Be sure the anchor point is fastened securely and is able to support the weight completely.

2. W Pattern, Zig Zag

Whenever you have a wide space that needs to be covered, you might want to think about using a double V pattern, that is also referred to as a W or zig-zag pattern. They are excellent for fully covering a larger area. The lighting design might also be preferred by some people. Just keep in mind that in order to achieve this specific effect you most likely will need to have several sets of string lights.

3. X Pattern

For clean lines and perfect squares, X patterns are excellent. To really go crazy, you could always add several X patterns and create a diamond, crisscross pattern. Although it might appear complex, it is actually easy to achieve an X pattern. The most difficult part of the process is being able to find anchor supports to place on all four corners of the design.

4. Grid Pattern

If you do not particularly care for a diagonal appearance, you might want to choose a grid-like or square pattern instead. If you have a pergola, deck or porch already with a square pattern, then you might want to use your string lights to follow the straight lines. That will also help to keep things simple since all you will need to do is follow lines that are there already.

5. Tree and Plant String Lighting

Some plants, like dense ivy and trees, can be an excellent way to provide a magical glow to your garden. Draping string lights on trees and plants can be a nice, subtle way to provide your outdoor gathering with a nice glow.

6. Sunray Pattern

The pattern adds more rays on the vertex to the classic V. Since many lights will meet at a central point, that point will need to have a support that is extra strong in order to support the added pressure. Due to the added complexity and weight of this kind of pattern, having a professional do this for you is the best thing to do. Frequently this kind of sunray (or horizon point) kind of string light pattern are used in commercial spaces and lighting professionals such as an outdoor light company Houston Texas installs them.

7. Maypole/Tent Pattern

Imagine a circus tent with string lights going down from a central point from above. That kind of patterns needs to have a strong center pole or beam to support the weight of numerous sets of string lights. Therefore the tent pattern is another one that you want to have professionals install.

8. Scallop Pattern

This type of string light patterns tends to be used mainly for weddings and other kinds of big events. The lights get arranged into a scallop design to provide a classy effect.

The final three string lighting designs (scalloped edge design, maypole/tent and horizon/sunray point) all tend to be used mainly for weddings and other major events.

Whatever string lighting pattern you select, you will end up with a charming and beautiful result.

Talk to a commercial lighting expert to get the most durable and best-looking outdoor string light design and materials.

Commercial String Lighting Benefits:

  • Ideal for Events and homes
  • Permanent Installations
  • Year-Round Use
  • Solar Power Options
  • Sunlight Resistant
  • Weatherproof
  • Durable

Whether you decide to hang your commercial lights yourself or go with professional installation, be sure that proper safety procedures are followed. Also, select string lights that have been outdoor rated by UL or another independent testing laboratory and ensure your outdoor outlets are also GFCI-protected.

Talk to one of our expert lighting architects to enhance your next big event, backyard or patio by getting in touch with Robert Huff Illumination Outdoor Lighting so you can get your free lighting consultation scheduled.

Tips For Keeping The Mulch Low And Your Lights Bright

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Mulching: Landscape Lighting Maintenance

Mulching is beneficial to plant materials and is aesthetically pleasing. Mulching has many advantages but can cause problems to your landscape lighting system. There are ways to address some of these common problems and provide tips to keep your outdoor lighting system working properly.

Are the lights out? Check The Mulch

If the lighting is out in an area where you’ve placed mulch, it’s possible that the lighting fixtures have been buried. This is common with lighting fixtures that are low to the ground. You’ll want to unbury the fixtures and clear the mulch around the lights.

Always let the landscaping company know about any outdoor lighting system you have installed. As the landscaper to not cover the fixtures when applying the mulch. Also, request that the landscaper removes any old mulch before they add the new mulch. If they add too much mulch to the area, it can trap moisture that’s intended for plants.

If the lights are not covered by mulch and they still don’t work, then it’s possible you may have accidentally cut the wires.

How to Avoid Cutting Outdoor Lighting Wires

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | Preserving Houston Outdoor Lighting Dealing With MulchCutting outdoor lighting wires are costly and common. This is a problem that is often encountered after a property has been power edged and mulched. Some or all the lighting fixtures may not turn on if this problem occurs. Outdoor lighting services in Houston can help fix this issue.

We recommend hiring an outdoor lighting service technician to repair any cut or frayed wires. They have the experience needed to locate cuts and accurately make repairs that are waterproof. Since each situation is different, it’s important to have a skilled professional do this time-consuming and difficult task.

To prevent the outdoor wires from being cut, we recommend having any wires located and flagged before you use a power edger and apply mulch. When you contact us, let us know when you’re having any services done. A service technician will visit the property to flag and locate wires. The flags let companies know to avoid certain areas.

The power edger blade usually cuts 3 to 4 inches into the ground. At Robert Huff Illumination Outdoor Lighting, we bury lighting wire about 6 to 8 inches. This is deep enough to avoid cutting the wire. Old wires will eventually work their way to the surface. To be safe, it’s better to have your outdoor lighting wires flagged and located before power edging and mulching.

Call or contact Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting today for more information!

The Benefits Of Adding String Lighting To Your Yard

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Create Ambiance with String Light Arrangements

Strings lights are everywhere inside and out during the holiday season, but they are also becoming increasingly popular for every day, permanent use. Homeowners and business owners both use these lights to enhance the ambiance of their homes and businesses.

To clarify things, we are not referring to string lighting sets that you can buy at stores for the holidays. These are professional quality, high-grade lights that can be used outside and still hold up to the elements year after year. One touch of these lights and you will notice the difference they have. They are heavier and come with solid, insulated cording to keep them together.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | String Lighting Houston TXWe design, install and maintain customized indoor or outdoor string lighting systems. At Robert Huff Houston Outdoor Lighting we put our clients’ needs ahead of anything else. We aim to determine what each client really wants from their lighting. If they want a beautiful place to relax and enjoy their backyard at night, they may want string lighting from us.

Here is an example. There is a backyard with a wide-open space patio. There are surrounding porches and everything needs accent lighting. We installed lighting along the path around the patio but could tell more was needed. We took four strands of LED string lights and hung them from the porch eaves.

It gave the entire outdoor area romantic whimsy. It enhanced the outdoor fireplace. It looks beautiful but it also helps provide more illumination to the whole area.

String lighting works for commercial properties, too. Whether an entrance to a mall or an outdoor hotel patio, the application of string lights adds fun and an unexpected flair to the outdoor space. With an industrial building, the string lighting adds more of an inviting touch to a nighttime passerby. It looks great.

If string lighting arrangements sound good to you, reach out by giving us a call or contact us here. We cannot wait to work with you to design the custom lighting arrangement for your home or business. It will meet your budget, your taste and your needs so contact us today.

Answering The Question. What Is Color Temperature?

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Color Temperature Guide

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | Color Temperature & Outdoor Lighting in HoustonIn its most basic form, light has numerous characteristics with each of them being described in their unique way. Features like angle, softness, hardness, intensity and even movement can play a significant role in the ways we interpret what we are seeing with our eyes. The various qualities that light possesses can also affect our mood as well as the emotional response we have to our surroundings. The color is another essential quality of the light that we see on a daily basis. Bold lighting colors, of course, are frequently used by the entertainment industry for creating spectacle, excitement or mood. However, in our daily lives, we all encounter color variations that are more subtle but just as important. Those variations, ranging from Moonlight’s cool tint as it filters through the trees, the noonday sun’s bright white, or warmth from a firelight are referred to as Color Temperature.

Color temperature, when referencing the lighting industry, is measured in degrees Kelvin (K), with cool light being on the higher end (with daylight at 5500K) and warm light on the lower end of the scale (with incandescent light bulbs being at 2700-3000K). In the lighting industry, color temperature is extremely important where color affects a space’s emotional impact and mood. The following is a list of some of the more popular shades along with the environments that you find them in:

Warmer White Lighting: This type of lighting is preferred for living and dining areas inside a home to provide a relaxed environment. Warm white light often makes warmer earth tones like woodwork and stone look their best.

Natural White Lighting

This is ideal for areas such as bathrooms and kitchens where detailed lighting is needed.

Daylight White Lighting

Occupants tend to be kept alert by this kind of lighting so it works great for office spaces and stores.

Cool White Lighting

This is viewed as a type of clean, cooler lighting and is frequently used in industrial locations, garages, and hospitals.

Within the lighting industry, numerous techniques are used for creating the best color temperature for a specific space. A cool white light is naturally produced by fluorescent lighting. That is why a majority of large retail locations, hospitals, and office have a tendency to heavily rely on fluorescent light for most of their lighting needs. However, these same office buildings using fluorescent fixtures within their cubicles will frequently use warmer, incandescent lighting within their reception and lobby areas. That is because warm lighting has a tendency to put individuals at ease and might make their hour wait appear to go by more quickly.

When considering outdoor lighting needs, professional lighting designers such as an outdoor lighting company in Houston Texas will be very careful to choose the best color temperature for whatever surface or area is being lit. As previously mentioned, when a natural surface like brick, wood or stone is being lit, frequently the best choice is warmer light. However, when the goal is to recreate a romantic ambiance that a full moon offers, then we will use a light that has a color temperature that is much bluer. That is due to the fact that the human eye can no longer see the color red at very low light levels but is still able to perceive greens and blues. The phenomena is called the Purkinje Effect, which is named after Johannes Purkinje, who was a 19th-century physiologist.

All of the new LED light fixtures that are available these days provide an abundance of options for professional designers when it comes to choosing the best color temperature for any desired outcome. From cheerful, welcoming warm lighting to cool bright light that is dim and mysterious, there are an endless amount of choices. Combined with all of the other qualities that light possess, almost any effect or mood imaginable may be created. As always, if you ever have any questions about lighting design or color temperatures, just contact us or give us call here at Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting. We are always happy to help you out with any outdoor lighting needs that you have!

Get Your Outdoor Lighting Done Correctly By Robert Huff

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Do’s And Don’ts For Outdoor Lighting

It’s not unusual for a homeowner to stroll down the lighting aisle of their nearest home improvement center and begin grabbing light fixtures as they come to them. Sadly, there are many different kinds of landscaping lights and you’ll want to be more selective when purchasing them and choosing the type that you’re going to use. You’ll want bright lights for walkways and you’ll want something more subtle in some of the other areas of your yard.

When you correctly place your lighting, you’ll not only set the mood, you’ll light the way so that no one is injured on the path to your home. While you’ll want to consider hiring a professional, you can still choose and install the lights yourself if you prefer.

Outdoor Lighting Do’s

Of course, finding the right outdoor lighting company to the job is your best bet. However, it’s good to screen the area you are looking to start a project on by:

Prior to installing landscape lighting in and around pathways through your yard and other landscaped areas, you’ll want to focus on your house itself. Is it well lit? You’ll want to incorporate the right kind of outdoor lighting fixtures that will focus on the beauty of your home. You’ll want to keep your home safe and secure and ensure that it’s well lit so that you can safely get to and from your house after dark. You may also wish to focus on architectural features of your home.

Consider multiple options such as spotlights that take different angles toward the garden, front door, and a relaxing area. Consider staggering some of the lights rather than grouping several in a small area. This will give more detail and effect to the yard without drawing too much attention.

Consider pathways and walk areas first and foremost. This way no one has to be injured. Focus on lighting that enhances the beauty of your yard.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting | Houston Outdoor Lighting Do's & Don'tsOutdoor Lighting Don’ts

Avoid placing lighting in a straight line. That is simply too boring. Instead, be creative with where you place your lighting and focus on making it shine on the pathway. Stagger the lights and remember that if you have a second story of your home you should illuminate that as well. Consider overhangs and peaks and focus on other architectural features such as columns, overhangs and the like. This will give your lawn and yard an ambient glow that looks inviting. You can literally set the mood by choosing where to place your lights.

Don’t forget any small areas of your home that are in corners and dark. These should be well lit. That can enhance the safety of your home so that intruders can’t hide there. Your outdoor lighting can give your home more security and safety as well as lend an ambiance that is unsurpassed to your home and yard. Security should be an important feature that you consider when choosing your lighting. You’ll want to avoid any areas that can be used as hiding places and that can cause injuries to you, your family or guests.

Remember, there are many lighting specialists that can help you to design and determine how to offer your home an extra measure of security and light the way. They can help you to find the exact types of lighting that you’re looking for. In many cases, they have a variety of options that are readily available to help you. You have many great options and choices and can set the mood for your yard by picking and choosing what will work best for your needs.

If you wish to learn more in regards to outdoor lighting, you can enhance your home’s exterior by setting an appointment with an outdoor lighting company in Houston. we are waiting to give you our personalized insight.

Call now for immediate assistance!