How Many Lumens Do I Need for Houston Outdoor Lighting?

Posted by Robert Huff on

How To Choose The Right Lights For Houston Residential Outdoor Lighting

At Robert Huff Illumination we help you navigate the ins and outs of all facets for your residential outdoor lighting needs. The intensity of a light is measured with a unit called a lumen. This is something you should pay attention to when checking the specs of a lightbulb or other lighting solution. The ideal amount of lumens for your outdoor lighting will vary in function of the type of lighting you need. Step lights, path lights, and hardscape or landscape lighting are typically used to create a soft atmosphere. There is no need to invest in bright lights for these uses, but you need to make sure your step and path lights will be bright enough so you can easily so the ground. The recommended range goes from 50 to 200 lumens for these lights. Some lights such as motion sensor lights or pond and pool lights need to be more visible for safety reasons. Look for lights in the 200 to 700 lumens range depending on the size of the area you want these lights to cover. Lastly, floodlights are used to light up a broad area and should be very noticeable, even from afar. You will want to look for lights in the 700 to 1,300 lumens range for this use.

LEDs or CFLs?

Should you get LED or CFL lights for your outdoor lighting system? LED lighting is a popular option and will probably be more adapted to your needs. Here is what you need to know about these two options. CFL stands for Compact Fluorescent Light. This technology relies on a filament that is heated up and becomes incandescent thanks to electric current. The downside of this technology is that exposure to extreme temperatures considerably reduces the lifespan of the filament inside of the bulb. The other downside of this technology is that it can take a few minutes for the filament to heat up and emit the full range of lumens of the bulb. LED stands for Light Emitting Diodes. These lights use small diodes rather than filaments. The diodes don’t emit any heat and are more resistant to extreme temperatures. They emit the full range of lumens right away. The biggest advantage of LED lights is that they use a lot less energy. In fact, a CFL bulb typically uses twice the amount of energy of an LED light with a similar lumen range. You should easily get the number of lumens you need for your outdoor lighting system with low-wattage LED lights and save money on your energy bills. The lifespan of LED lights is another advantage. An LED light will typically last five times longer than a CFL bulb. CFL might seem like the best option due to their lower initial price. However, the prices of LED lights have been decreasing and both technologies are available in a somewhat similar price range.

Other Features To Consider For Houston Residential Outdoor Lighting

There are a few features you should consider when choosing an outside lighting system. Start by looking at the lux of a light. The lux represents the amount of light per square meter. This spec will give you an idea of the size of the area that a single light bulb can cover. Keep in mind that one lux is based on how much illumination you can get by standing three feet away from a candle. Pay attention to the wattage of a light. A 200-watt bulb will use 200 watts per second of use. A light with a high wattage will result in higher electricity bills. If you want to install several high-wattage lights, think about hiring an electrician to install a new outdoor system. Get in touch with us if you need help with choosing the best lights for your outdoor lighting system! Also, be sure to take a look at other examples of our work, and slide on by our blog for a little inspiration!

Whether it’s residential outdoor lighting or commercial, lighting a patio, or custom lightscaping your whole yard, Robert Huff Illuminations has you covered. Feel free to call us or contact us today to see how we can help illuminate you.

two story house with moonlighting

How To Optimize Your Houston Exterior Lighting Pt. 2

Posted by Robert Huff on

Great Tips For Enhancing Your Outdoor Environment – Houston Landscape Lighting How To Pt. 2

What Exactly Is Color Temperature? When you look at the light quality you will notice that it is important just like the quantity, but what about color temperature? This is a temperature that is measured on the Kelvin scale. You are going to notice that the light temperature for the bulb is on the packaging. You will see that the temperatures over 3500K are considered to be cooler and will often going to be a bluer in color going to a noon sun with the higher temperature. You will find that the temperatures under 3000K are often thought to be warmer. The amber tone will be seen as the number goes lower. These are the details we at Robert Huff Illuminations keep in mind with every job.

You will want to try to stay away from the cooler numbers when you are doing the lighting for the landscape. The bluish tones that are seen can make the area look a little bit unnatural or even as being on edge. Instead, you will want to consider the warmer colors that are going to have 2700K for the ideal temperature and 3000K is only considered okay. The 2700K is going to have a soothing feel that can be seen as a campfire type of glow. This will make it a comfortable environment that you can enjoy outdoors, especially in Houston.

You need to remember that one thing that you will see is temperature is going to be the appearance of the white light, which is different than the LED lighting. While still newer, the RGB LED fixtures are going to give you the chance to add in LEDs into the design. You will want to use these sparingly outside and allow them to give you the party feel.

How Is Layered Lighting Going To Impact my Houston residential outdoor lighting space? In this form, you will notice that the lights are going to be designed to create a different type of high and low that you will want to have in your space. You will notice that this is one important tool that you do not want to overlook. This is also the way that a lot of outdoor theaters set the mood.

You will notice that it can be as easy as putting the lights onto different breakers. You may find that the pathway lighting is on its own circuit, but the deck lighting is on another one. You will find that the layered lighting will allow you to have more control over the lighting in the area for the purpose you want it to serve. You will notice that you have dimmers and other controls that are available if you want to use these on the same circuit. You may even notice that you will be able to set up preset levels for the patio lights based on what is going on from eating to cleaning up.

You will find the layered lighting is an amazing way to show off your artistic ability. You will find that you can even have step lights that are connected to motion sensors. This will allow the stairs to be lighted when people start to climb them. You may even find that you can get these lights timed up with music!

Don’t hesitate to contact us or call us for any questions you have about lighting up your life!
We also have amazing Commercial Outdoor Lighting Designs, and don’t forget our blog for design ideas!

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: The Ultimate Guide To Color Temperature Part 2

Posted by Robert Huff on

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: A Color, Light, And Temperature Guide Part 2

Choosing Your Measured CCT

When choosing your desired CCT, it is best to keep in mind that all the objects, as well as the colors within a designated space, are brought out with that of warmer CCTs. As a result, designers suggest temperatures of 2700K and 3000K to highlight the reds and yellows of wood grain flooring. From a commercial or industrial standpoint, they generally tend to lean to those sources which can provide 4000K to 5000K since it readily matches that of outdoor lighting and creates a productive feeling. As far as cooler light is concerned, an advantage is that it has always been seen as being brighter than those of warm sources. As such, numerous businesses are bending toward cooler temperatures which can, in turn, save them some money. This is achieved as a result of saving energy since less light would be used when compared to warmer sources.

The Pros And Cons Of Residential Outdoor Lighting In Houston

There are several pros and cons with respect to the warmer temperatures of outdoor lighting for residential use. This is as a result of the environment that the lights are being placed into, as such, warm colors are generally thought of as being not bright enough when they are placed into areas where people want to work with white light that is crisp. Some areas present cool colors which occur naturally and when they enter, they can be seen as being more yellow or even pink, this then causes individuals to think that the lights are not working properly. Cool colors are typically viewed as being institutional or even sterile and this is a huge downside.

Warm Color Temperatures

With all said, numerous individuals wouldn’t prefer the change from a warm color since they may feel that it is too bright for their liking. In order to choose the proper outdoor lighting, it is best to assess your environmental needs beforehand and inform your supplier of the type of environment as well as the ambiance that you intend to create. It should also be noted that if you’re interested in changing your initial light sources, such as in the case of fluorescent to LED or even CCT, you should definitely ensure that your entire room has been completed since come differences are not distinguishable to others.

If you are looking to further learn about the temperatures of colors and how they can affect the colors within your backyard outdoor lighting projects, be sure to contact Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting or call us at 713.861.2000. Or simply visit our blog.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: The Ultimate Guide To Color Temperature Part 1

Posted by Robert Huff on

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: A Color, Light, And Temperature Guide Part 1

What Is Color Temperature And Why Is It Important?

When we refer to the temperature of lighting, it is said to have a specific tone. This tone is often thought of as white light and is emitted from the lights initial source. This can be simplified if we were to consider the life cycle of a white t-shirt and the variations of shading which occurs. If our white t-shirt was washed with a batch of dark blue colors, it will still appear to be white, however, if we held a brand-new white t-shirt next to our previously washed t-shirt, a hint of blue can be seen. If either of us wore a new white t-shirt for years upon years and then compared it with a new one, the old one will now be much more yellow in comparison.

How Are Shades Of White Distinguished?

If we were to place two different temperatures from varied sources together, the white light seen will have a totally different appearance. In order to be able to distinguish numerous shades of white, artificial light is labeled with a designated color temperature. These can be incandescent and tungsten as well as with the use of a correlated color temperature which is widely known as a CCT. The temperature scale known as Kelvin is used to measure both regular color temperature as well as CCT and is obtained from what is known as blackbody radiation. When an ideal source of blackbody radiation absorbs radiation from external sources, it begins to glow in a number of different colors. At a temperature of 2000K, it can be seen as being a mix of both orange and yellow. With an increase in temperature, the previously mentioned color goes to yellow followed by a yellowish-white which becomes white and finally appears as a bluish-white.

Traditional Residential Outdoor Lighting

As far as traditional outdoor lighting in a residential setting goes, white was typically referred to as warm white or cool white depending on the CCT. Due to the limited sources of outdoor lighting, incandescent lights, halogen lights, and fluorescent lights, all having a temperature of 3000K CCT or even 2700K CCT were classified as warm whites. Fluorescent outdoor lighting which measured 3500K CCT were classified as being neutral, and those which measured 4100K CCT and above were therefore referred to as cool white. LEDs became more popular and were responsible for drastically changing the outdoor lighting market. They soon became widely available commercially in white and didn’t cost much when they became available in what was called the bluer spectrum. The earlier sources of white light favored having temperatures of 6000K CCT and above. As such, manufacturers of commercial outdoor lighting now refer to a measured 5000K as being neutral.

Advice About Outdoor Lighting For LED Buyers

Buyers of LED products should always aim to find out the color temperature correlation before actually purchasing. Buyers should also always keep in mind that there is, however, in fact, a range of chromaticity with respect to the temperatures of correlated colors. This just simply means that lamps which tend to have a temperature of 2700K CCT will not entirely appear the same as another which has the same. In trying to avoid problems for the users of these fixtures or lamps, it is not advisable to match and mix different manufacturers products. It should be noted that light sources impact on the way space feels, hence, this makes CCT a very important aspect when it comes to choosing a light. Candlelight’s range between 1500 – 2000L, and gives most people a romantic feeling, as such, homeowners, hotels and restaurants who are trying to create a warm and cozy feeling should go with temperatures of 2400K – 2700K. Transitioning to more functional spaces such as hallways should be that of measured temperatures around 3000K – 3500K.

If you are looking to further learn about the temperatures of colors and how they can affect the colors within your backyard outdoor lighting projects, be sure to contact Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting or call us at 713.861.2000. Or simply visit our blog.

Maximize Illumination With Houston Lighting Fixtures

Posted by Robert Huff on

Is It Time To Upgrade Your Houston Lighting Fixtures

You can supercharge your Houston lighting fixtures by overhauling your exterior fixtures with LEDs. By doing this, you’ll slash your energy usage and you’ll have more illumination. With that said, when was the last time you noticed your exterior lighting or have done something with it? The chances are it’s been a long time since you’ve upgraded your exterior lighting, and your fixtures might be eating up energy. Besides that, your current lighting might not look good and might not be as safe as they were when you first bought them. Now is the time to consider getting rid of metal luminaries or high-pressure sodium luminaries and replacing them with LEDs. Doing this will improve the exterior of your home or business, as well as reduce operational costs. Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting is the #1 Houston Lighting Fixtures company to provide you with the best services in town.

Attractive Houston Lighting Fixtures

You can easily spot exterior lighting that isn’t attractive, as it features shadows, glare and/or an amber color. When you step foot onto a property with poor lighting, you look all over the place for things that you can trip over or you look over your shoulder. There are many check-boxes that outdoor lighting has to fulfill. For example, exterior lighting should minimize shadows and glare. It should improve both situational awareness, navigation, light up areas to improve footage that surveillance cameras take. It should also enable facial recognition. Balancing those objectives is tricky enough. When you add other things into the mix, things become even trickier. This includes low maintenance costs, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting will take care of your lighting needs for your residential and commercial property. We are available to speak with you when you are ready.

Test Out Houston Lighting Fixtures

The good news is you can easily tell if your exterior lighting isn’t that good. Test out how well you can recognize a face at a distance and leave your keys somewhere on the property and see if you can find them. If you find such tasks to be difficult to complete, then it’s time to upgrade your lighting. It’s a good idea to use a light level meter, which can help you determine where shortcomings are. Your residential property will stand out with Houston lighting fixtures.

Houston Lighting Fixtures

Outdoor lighting is more than numbers. You can have all the lighting in the world, but if it’s not functioning the way it’s supposed to be, then it’s not doing any good just sitting there. This is why you should do a quick lighting audit. You want to become familiar with what the IES recommends to illuminate values before doing the audit. When the time comes to upgrade your fixtures, you want to take a look at what control options are available. With the right setup, you can enjoy features such as maintenance alerts, step dimming and color temperature you can tune. LEDs’ lifespans do not become reduced with such controls. LED fixtures can easily be controlled with wireless tech, and this means there’s no need to mess around with additional wiring when the time comes to replace fixtures.

To learn more about Houston lighting fixtures services, check out our website & our blog. For any questions or concerns, give us a  Call today.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: A Guide On How To Avoid Making Silly Commercial Landscape Lighting Mistakes

Posted by Robert Huff on

Easily Sidestepped Commercial Landscape Lighting Errors

Some of the more commonly committed mistakes in the realm of commercial landscape lighting include the generation of light pollution, using low-efficiency bulbs and utilizing too many fixtures that are the same as one another. The fact is that landscape lighting in the commercial arena is essential to keep safe your business, the property surrounding it, your employees and your customer base.

Typical Mistakes in Commercial Landscape Lighting Design

1. Failure To Use LED Bulb Products

The ways in which LED fixtures can produce real savings of time and money are numerous. First, they last far longer than conventional bulbs, resulting in a much less frequent need for replacement. LEDs are able to last upwards of 11 years, even if they run around the clock, and up to 22 years if they are operated only half the time. Light is emitted from LED fixtures in a different manner than from conventional bulbs. Rather than burning completely out, these bulbs begin to slow their output of light until eventually, they are noticeably dim. Bulbs of this type use far lower amounts of electricity, and therefore the utility bills that result tend to be much cheaper on a monthly basis. You also could consider hiring professionals to do the work for you. Check out Robert Huff commercial landscape lighting projects we have completed. we have completed.

Some key positives of LED commercial landscape lighting fixtures are:

  • Energy efficiency and environmental friendliness as compared to traditional lighting. Ability to stand up to harsh weather conditions and other stresses
  • Zero emission of UV rays and emission of almost no infrared light, rendering LEDs perfect for use in areas containing items that are heat and radiation-sensitive, such as food, art, and other delicate products
  • Capacity to run on lower voltage supplies of power
  • Brightness is achieved instantly with LED lights, and the fixtures can be turned off and on with great frequency without damage
  • Able to work even when placed in extreme temperatures
  • External reflectors are unnecessary, as LED design helps concentrate light on specific spots

2. The Scourge Of Lighting Pollution

All lighting fixtures are meant to produce enhanced visibility for workers, visitors, customers and the like. When there is too much light for a given space or the existing light is poorly placed, visibility can actually be hampered. Therefore, it is essential that the appropriate sorts of lighting in the proper voltage amounts are installed so that lighting pollution, unpleasant glare, and other problems can be avoided. Check out the best commercial outdoor lighting company in Houston.

3. Utilization Of One Kind Of Lighting Fixture Only

The lighting fixtures used ought to blend seamlessly together in order to create a cohesive whole. It is important to make sure that the fixtures do not all look exactly the same, however. This would lead to a boring overall effect. Add a bit of visual interest and design appeal by choosing a carefully curated mix of fixtures. An added benefit of such a strategy is to create nuances of light levels which will be easier on the eye.

4. Excessive Of Intrusive Lighting

It is critical that outdoor light fixtures provide sufficient illumination for the tasks at hand, but they must not overpower the surroundings. There really are times when a lighter hand is needed in terms of lighting. Drawing attention to key visual elements, such as business signage, is a vital priority, as is highlighting sidewalks and stairs to provide additional safety measures.

5. Failing To Use Adequate Lighting

While excessive lighting is a problem, so is insufficient lighting. If lighting is too low to do what is required, there really is no point to having it at all. The key is to strike the right balance with the help of one of the most reputable Houston lighting companies.

To learn more about outdoor home lighting Houston TX Services,  check out our website and our blog. For questions or concerns, please Call us now.

Save Money With Outdoor LED Landscape Lighting For Your Houston Home

Posted by Robert Huff on

Learn How You Can Use Outdoor LED Lighting To Save Money

LED is short for a light-emitting diode. It’s among the more energy-efficient options you have for modern lighting. The efficiency of them makes them quite appealing to many homeowners, and things continue to improve as the technology matures. LED lights aren’t some fad that’s overhyped or going to disappear from the market in the near future, so a lot of homeowners are now confident that they can maintain and even replace LED systems when need be in the future.

How Do LED Lights Differ From Other Lights?

Per the United States Department of Energy, there are a number of distinct features of LED lights that make them quite different from incandescent lights and even other options that are newer, such as CFLs, or compact fluorescent bulbs. To start with, every light-emitting diode is really minuscule in size, like the size of an actual grain of ground pepper. Diodes of various hues combine together in a single light to create the color of white. Altering this mixture of colors allows LED lights to have different tints.

Secondly, it’s quite easy to control the light direction using LED systems. That minimizes your need for shades or reflectors, which sometimes prove to be fire hazards or get too hot if they’re paired with conventional incandescent bulbs. If you have installations such as recessed lighting, LEDs prove to be an ideal choice. If an incandescent bulb is used in such a lighting system, then a fraction of its light gets lost from being reflected into a particular direction, which increases how much energy is necessary for the lighting of that space.

LEDs also get noticeably cooler as compared to CFLs or incandescents. That coolness means they’re safer for you to handle, and it’s also symptomatic of their energy efficiency. On the flip side, incandescent bulbs release nearly 90 percent of their energy simply as heat, and it’s still 80 percent for CFLs.

Also, an LED bulb’s lifespan is about 50,000 hours. In contrast, incandescent lights only last around 1,200 hours. This shorter lifespan drives up the cost in the long run since incandescent bulbs have to be replaced far more frequently.

Landscape Lighting Demands Robust Fixture Quality

LEDs often prove ideal for exterior lighting due to their lack of heat, low maintenance, efficiency, and long-running cost-effectiveness. So, what do homeowners need to look out for if they plan to make the switch to this kind of lighting for their entertainment areas, walkways, yards, and porches or decks? The need to make sure that they don’t just settle for the cheapest possible fixture choices. LED bulbs can last a very long time, but an outdoor fixture has to be constructed to be sturdy and durable so it can withstand the elements.

Want a hint of the expected hardiness? Check out the warranty length. Stainless steel, aluminum, and brass fixtures are usually higher in price than plastic choices, but they’re also in better shape to put up with what mother nature is going to throw at them. If you need outdoor landscape lighting in Houston, make sure to consider, the best outdoor lighting company in Houston.

Comparing LEDs To Compact Fluorescent Lights

CFL bulbs certainly prove to be a rational upgrade above incandescent bulbs when talking about efficiency. Since fluorescent lights typically fit into conventional incandescent fixtures, they’re not that much of an initial investment. They certainly offer you savings on your utilities, but CFLs do have a big downside, and that is mercury. When a fluorescent bulb breaks, it’s often troublesome to clean things up given the gases, but this isn’t an issue with LEDs, so they might make a safer choice if you’re renting any temporary fabric structures.

One final thing to take into consideration is a light’s expected look. LED options can honestly prove disappointing here. Incandescent bulbs often have a rather warm look. Homeowners might expect to get that same attractive glow from even other types of lights. On the other hand, the light from LEDs might seem harsher. They can also emit blue-hued rays which aren’t always expected by people new to this kind of lighting. Fortunately, those that develop LED technology are working on mixing different combinations of the various diodes so that they might mimic incandescents so they offer more various looks.

Get The Right Look By Using Color Temperature

Buyers need to know that new LED lights mean comparing many different options. Your local home improvement store might even have a display at the end of an aisle that demonstrates the different possibilities. At a minimum, the box of each bulb should offer a color description covering the light style emitted by the bulb. Color temperature helps predict just what bulbs are going to look like if they’re turned on.

Call us now or contact us today for more information on starting or finishing a new or existing outdoor lighting project!

LED Landscape Lighting For Your Houston Home

Posted by Robert Huff on

Tips On How To Make The Switch To LED Lighting

Would you like to lower your energy costs? Most people constantly scrutinize their electric bills, and since lighting is something you have a lot of control over, you can also help to control the amount of energy that you use. Although most people know that moving away from incandescent bulbs is more cost-efficient, some compact fluorescent bulbs that are available in the marketplace are expensive and don’t provide the same warmth that incandescent bulbs do. However, there are now LED (short for Light Emitting Diode) bulbs that have arrived on the scene that can be used outdoors as well as indoors.

When you hear LED you might think of the red lights on a ticker style of sign or those powerful small lights on pocket flashlights. However, LED lights can also be used in your yard and home.

6 Benefits Of Using LED Lighting

1. More light is produced per watt compared to fluorescents and incandescent bulbs. They also don’t generate any heat. Those two qualities help to save on electricity when it comes to lighting costs and helps to keep a room cool that can get overheated when incandescent bulbs are used.

2. Are hard to damage or break compared to incandescent and fluorescent bulbs.

3. Have longer useful lifespans (60,000 hours estimated) compared with incandescents (only 1,000-2,000 hours) and fluorescent tubes (about 30,000 hours). A quality LED light can give you 17 years worth of use or even more.

4. LEDs dim when they start burning out. This is preferable, especially in safety situations (basement stairs, garages, etc.) compared to an incandescent of CFL (compact fluorescent light) where the only way that you know it isn’t working is when the bulb doesn’t illuminate when you flip the switch.

5. LEDs light up fast.

6. There is no mercury contained in LEDs like there are in CFLs.

The one drawback that LED lighting has is the upfront cost. They are more expensive compared to conventional lighting technologies. But you usually can recoup your costs within one year by having to replace the bulbs less frequently and by having lower energy bills.

Indoor Uses

You might have your own personal lighting preferences, but generally speaking, “natural white” and “cool light” are great options for general ambient lighting and also spaces that need more task lighting, such as home offices, studies, and kitchen. A yellow hue is cast by incandescent lights. When LEDs are used you have more flexibility for using the lights throughout the different rooms in your house.

Generally speaking, natural white and cool lights are reliable options for most spaces and uses, however, a “daylight” or “natural” bulb is recommended for reading.

Outdoor Uses

Some people say that UV lights are something that many bugs are attracted do, and there are some LED lights that don’t emit UV light. So it may be worthwhile to explore LED landscape lighting options for your backyard to help reduce how many insects your lighting attract. LEDs have long lives, so they are ideal for those hard to reach lights that are on the exterior of your house, whether they are lights that need to be turned off and on frequently, back and front door lights, or floodlights.

Call us now or contact us today for more information regarding starting or finishing a new or existing outdoor lighting project of yours!

Let Us Take Care of Your Houston Outdoor & Indoor Lighting Issues

Posted by Robert Huff on

If Light Flickering Issues Are Bringing You Down, Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting Specialists Can Help

Gone Before You Know It

It has been long established that flickering lights can cause people to suffer from nausea, headaches and sometimes even seizures. Because flickering lights work on a subconscious level, sufferers often have no clue what is responsible for these health effects.

When computer monitors were first released back in the old days of personal computing, computer monitors were pretty much just like your average television screen. Like television screens, computer screens had low refresh rates. Images on the screen would appear to be steady when looked at directly, but in actuality, these images would be flickering like crazy, and this could be seen when looking to the side of the image.

While the image appeared steady to your eyes, your brain would pick up what was actually happening, which would often result in stress, headaches, and even nervous breakdowns for some. Eventually, some folks discovered the cause of these health effects and monitor improvements were made that included higher refresh rates to help minimize these issues. Thankfully, this isn’t as big an issue today due to the invention of plasma, LCD, and LED monitors which don’t have this problem.

Even a Little Flicker Is Bad

If you’re having LED lighting installed in your home in the installer tells you your current lighting system is fine, chances are they are probably wrong, at least partially. Your current wiring is most likely sufficient as long as it’s reaching your light sources, but odds are your other lighting hardware isn’t.

A perfect example of a situation that often rears its ugly head for clients is when they have installed fully dimmable LED lighting in their house. Without an upgrade to the current hardware in place, chances are the lights won’t work at all. Or, they may work in a limited fashion, but could flicker, buzz and hum, and may not be adjustable at all.

Houston Outdoor Lighting Quality Tops Everything

If quality is a concern as it is with many homeowners, you should know that bulbs purchased in your local stores are not the best quality bulbs available. Most store-bought bulbs have limited operating lives of approximately 10,000 hours. In rare instances, you can find bulbs with operating lives of up to 50,000 hours, but it is highly unlikely that you will find high standard bulbs with operating lives of 100,000 hours.

If we do the math, a 10,000-hour bulb used around five hours each day has a lifespan of about five years. Using the same math, calculations show that a 100,000-hour bulb has a lifespan of 50 years when used for five hours each day.

Clearly, the bulbs available in stores aren’t the better deal, but to be fair it’s not their fault they don’t have longer life bulbs available to sell. Light bulb manufacturers make more money with bulbs that have shorter lifespans because they have to be replaced more often, so these are the ones they make available for resale in your local store. And you really can’t blame them for doing this because if everyone purchased lightbulbs that last up to 100 years, manufacturers probably wouldn’t stay in business very long.

Stick With The Professionals

After being in business for 40 years, we have accumulated the necessary experience to understand which components work best with one another and which components must never be used together. Sometimes this is due to safety issues, while other times the reason is based on functionality purposes. In addition, it makes financial sense to make sure the job gets done correctly the first time as opposed to going the cheap route initially and having to have someone come in and do the job right afterward.

Making the world a better place for everyone is a goal we should all strive for, but doing it one bulb at a time isn’t the way to go. A properly integrated lighting system combined with a well laid out design can win awards and create a stunning effect for your property LED lighting installation, whether it be new installs or replacements, is our specialty. If given the opportunity, we can set you up with an LED lighting system that won’t disappoint.

Call or contact Robert Huff Illuminations for more information or to get your project started!

Compare & Contrast: Exterior Or Interior LED’s For Lighting in Houston

Posted by Robert Huff on

Interior versus Exterior LED Lights for Houston Lighting

Make the Right Choice

LED lights offer complete brightness as soon as they are turned on. This is similar to filament or incandescent light bulbs we have had since the late 19th century. The same is not true for Compact Fluorescent bulbs or CFLs. In some cases, these take more than a minute to turn on to provide complete brightness.

The filaments in bulbs are weakened from thermal expansion and contraction when they are turned on or off. They become prone to burning out when they are put through this constant action. With CFL bulbs their lifetimes are shortened when they are turned on and run for less than 15 minutes. They use up more power and the result of all the on-and-off cycles shortens their lifetimes significantly.

Durable

LED bulbs do not go through these problems. They are also not made of glass. This means that they are not fragile and they do not get so hot that they explode from thermal shock if they are exposed to drops of water or rain suddenly.

Outdoors

For outdoor applications, these bulbs are especially suited to providing superior lighting. They are tough, weather resistant and offer better lighting than you are getting from traditional light bulbs. They also use a smaller fraction of power than traditional bulbs do which means they save power and money.

More importantly, if your family spends summer nights outside or you like entertaining in the evenings, these LED lighting sources do not emit UV light. There are some bulbs that are designed to emit ultraviolet light but most do not.

This means that LED lights are invisible to millions of insects outside. They do not attract moths, bugs or other insects. Imagine how much nicer any barbecue or outdoor party – including a wedding – might be with LEDs.

There are many advantages to using LEDs for outdoor use. Usually, LED lights are too bright to consider using for indoor use. They can also be a waste of resources because LED lights are weatherized and are more expensive than indoor LED bulbs are. Whatever your needs for outdoor lights, the professionals at residential landscape lighting Houston can help design the perfect arrangement making all your outdoor events better.

Indoors

To make your home feel cozier, it helps to know how Kelvin temperature of light works. The ideal range could be between 2700 and 4000 in a den, great room, living room or dining room. This depends on your color choices and your décor, of course. If you are using lights to spotlight a work of art, you might want to use what is called phantom daylight lighting of 5700 K to make all the colors in the work come out beautifully.

The years of experience that we have with this type of lighting have given us the skills to orchestrate it in any home. Lighting blends seamlessly to expose the beauty of your art and your home. Visitors will never notice the lights, just the beauty, the colors and the subtle tones and textures of your décor as you intend it to be. Visit our Gallery of Fine Art Lighting to see samples of our work.

Any installer that does not know the difference between Kelvin temperatures and various LEDs are not worth working with. Without the right amount of experience, training, and education, you are not getting the help of true lighting experts.

Amateurs can also underload circuits which cause problems and sometimes hazards. They try to use conventional dimmer switches or power supplies not suitable for the task. This causes flickering, buzzing, and humming all of which lead to revisits for things to be changed and fixed.

Call or contact Robert Huff Illuminations about getting your project started today!