How Security Lights Can Help You Spot Intruders and Scare Away Critters

Security lights deter crime by providing bright illumination around the exterior of your home. These lights can help you spot intruders before they cause damage and scare away critters, too.

Security lights can also come with features like a timer and adjustable settings. Learn more about these options to find the right lighting for your needs.

Motion Sensors

Motion sensors are an integral part of many security lighting systems because they provide a great deal of convenience and safety. They turn on when movement is detected, eliminating the need for manual switches or energy wastage. They also have the ability to automatically switch off when no activity is detected, reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.

Motion detector lights are often placed around valuable items in a home to led surface panel light deter criminals. When the lights come on, it will quickly draw attention to the area and scare away thieves. They are also an effective way to deter rodents and other pests. The bright light will scare them and they will leave your property without disturbing anything.

Some variations of motion sensor lights have multiple modes, allowing the user to adjust their settings to best suit their needs. These options include a timer, which determines how long the light stays on after sensing movement; a sensitivity setting, which controls how close to the ground a sensor can detect movement; and a lux setting, which adjusts how dark the sensor needs to be before turning on.

Another option is to pair a motion sensor with a smart light bulb, a smart switch, or a smart plug. This allows the sensor to be turned on remotely using a smartphone app (like the CYNC Smart Home App, powered by Savant). This provides additional peace of mind and makes it easy to check for any problems with your lights.

Adjustable Light Heads

A security light’s light output can play a big role in whether it deters potential intruders or not. Choose lights that emit a higher lumen count for a brighter, more visible light and opt for LED bulbs, which offer superior color rendering, a lower wattage consumption, and a longer lifespan than traditional incandescent bulbs.

A good security lighting setup is typically composed of multiple lights with adjustable heads to allow the beams to be directed to specific areas. This helps to create an even, balanced illumination that deters intruders and makes it easier for people to see where they’re going at night.

Many motion sensor security lights have different settings to adjust the sensitivity and duration of the illumination. You can usually change the sensitivity to set the range of the detection, and the time setting lets you set how long the light remains on after motion is detected.

Adding a motion sensor to your home security system can be as simple as plugging in the accessory or rewiring the fixture and connecting the sensor to the wiring. If you’re not comfortable with rewiring, hiring a licensed electrician to do the job is an option. A professional can also help you install a light fixture with a built-in motion sensor, which eliminates the need for an additional accessory.

Energy-Efficient LED Lighting

LED lights are solid state, meaning they have no glass around them, which makes them more resistant to damage from rough weather and vandalism. Additionally, they operate on a lower voltage than other lights, which gives you the option to dim them to save energy and money. Because they operate at a lower wattage, LEDs last longer than other bulbs. They can run for 25,000 hours on average, which is a lot more than the 8,000-hour lifespan of traditional incandescent bulbs and even the 9,000-hour lifetime of CFLs.

LEDs use their own semiconductors to generate light, unlike other types of lighting that burn filament materials and waste energy as heat. This means that they are wildly energy-efficient, using 30-40% of their consumed power to create light and very little heat.

In addition, LEDs only emit light in front of them, which eliminates the need for reflectors and diffusers that can cause energy loss. This makes them ideal for recessed downlights and task lighting.

When buying replacement bulbs, look for the lumens value instead of a watt count. The higher the lumens value, the brighter the bulb. You can also opt for LEDs that provide a warmer white glow, which is best for homes, or cooler white, which works better in industrial settings where brightness contributes to productivity.

Customization

Adding lighting to specific features on the property can help deter intruders and unwelcome guests, making your home appear occupied to those canvassing the neighborhood. This security lights type of lighting can be used to light up the front entryway to your house, a pathway to your driveway, or even to illuminate special landscape features that are part of your design.

The lights come in a variety of sizes and styles so you can find the right fit for your home. LED lights are more durable than incandescent bulbs and don’t need as much upkeep. They’re also more energy efficient, helping you save money in the long run. Additionally, LEDs can be set to change colors or change brightness according to your needs and preferences.

Security lights that use tunable white technology let you adjust the color temperature to create a warm or cool ambiance in outdoor spaces. This feature is perfect for illuminating your deck or patio so you can enjoy the outdoors after dark.

In addition to enhancing your home’s curb appeal, installing security lights can increase the resale value of your property and reduce your insurance premiums. They also make your home a less attractive target for nighttime critters like raccoons and skunks, helping to protect plants, wires, and other belongings from damage. If you have trouble with your lights, a professional can help you identify the problem and resolve it.