As a homeowner, you are probably conscience of the energy you are using in and around your home. Wasted energy leads to higher utility bills, which in turn take a toll on your wallet. If energy consumption is a top-of-mind matter for you, you may be hesitant to install a landscape lighting design around your home. But don’t let the fear of over-consumption scare you away from the idea. In fact, by creating lighting zones around your home, you can have added flexibility and control over how you illuminate your outdoor space, while also conserving energy in the process.

Lighting Zones

When we talk about a lighting zone, we are talking about fixtures that are grouped together on one electrical line. You can create multiple electrical lines that all go to one transformer, allowing for individual control of each line or “zone.”

You might create zones based on the proximity of the fixtures, or based on their function. If creating zones based on function for example, you might want to create a design where you can leave your security lighting on all night long, but be able to shut off your garden lighting before you go to bed.

Creating Zones

Before you install a landscape lighting design around your home – especially if you are creating zones – make sure to create a rough outline of your property and make note of any features you want to highlight with your lighting design. When creating zones, make sure you identify any lights that should have a specific purpose. Lighting that has a specific purpose should have different zones for each purpose, for example one zone for security, one for safety and one for aesthetics. Also consider how you will be using each area of your outdoor space. If you have a hot tub located under the gazebo out back, you may want to consider having the pathway lights that lead to that area and the gazebo or surrounding tree lights all in the same zone.

Flexibility and Convenience

When you create a landscape lighting design with zones, you have the ability to program each group of light fixtures separately, which adds flexibility and convenience to your lighting design. This also gives you the ability to customize your lighting design to fit your daily routine – if you go to bed early on Sunday nights, have the lights stay on longer on that night for added security.

Energy Conservation

While flexibility and convenience are great benefits, the best part of lighting your outdoor space in zones is the ability to limit your energy consumption. Without zones, you may put yourself in an “all or nothing” situation. If all your outdoor lighting fixtures are on the same electrical line, you may not have the ability to turn on the pathway lights without also turning on the garden, gazebo and patio lights as well. Similarly, if you have to turn your lights on and off manually, you may find yourself turning on the garden lights and forgetting to turn them off, which creates wasted energy. By creating zones in your landscape lighting design, you get more than just an on or off option. You can use only the lights you need, and only when you need them, which will help you conserve energy.

Contact Nite Time Décor

Let our landscape lighting professionals at Nite Time Décor Oakville create the perfect lighting zones for your outdoor space. Whether you’re looking to conserve energy or add flexibility and convenience to your daily routine, contact us today to get started on your one-of-a-kind landscape lighting design!