Landscape Lighting can be Dark Sky Friendly and Still Look Great

It’s been a long time since we’ve talked about how landscape lighting can be done in a dark sky friendly way. Actually, the last time we covered this subject was before LED lighting became the primary landscape lighting products.

This is taken from the International Dark Sky Association’s Model Light Ordinance regarding outdoor residential lighting:

· Outdoor lighting for residential properties including multiple residential properties not having common areas, all outdoor luminaires shall be fully shielded and shall not exceed the allowed lumen output.

· Exceptions:

o At front entry, one unshielded fixture not to exceed 630 lumens or one shielded fixture not to exceed 1260 lumens. The maximum lumen output of unshielded luminaires excluding main entry to be no more than 315 lumens. A shielded fixture does not allow any lighting to be emitted above the horizontal plane of the fixture.

· Low voltage landscape lighting fixtures aimed away from adjacent properties not to exceed 525 lumens each.

· Shielded directional flood lighting aimed so that direct glare is not visible from adjacent properties and not exceeding 1260 lumens. (This most commonly refers to the “security” lights installed at the corners of homes. Bare bulb fixtures are not acceptable here and if they are already in place, install clip-on glare shields. These fixtures should not be aimed above 45 degrees.)

· Lighting installed with a vacancy sensor, where the sensor extinguishes the lights no more than 15 minutes after the area is vacated.

So, according to this document, there are not many restrictions for low voltage landscape lighting except that the fixture should not exceed a lumen output of 525 lumens (approximately a 40 watt halogen lamp) and they should aim away from adjacent properties. There are not any restrictions on total lumens per property or total fixtures. It does not separate up lighting from down lighting or pathway lighting.

The reason that there are very few restrictions on low voltage landscape lighting is simply because it really doesn’t contribute much to sky glow and over all light pollution. The real culprits in light pollution are high voltage, high lumen output fixtures that aim up into the sky, billboard lighting is especially bad in my opinion. This does not mean however that an outdoor lighting designer should not take steps to insure that their design not only follows the Dark Sky MLO but actually improves on it.

Here is what we suggest for developments or property owners who want to be dark sky friendly:

It is no longer a good idea to use wattages of lamps to regulate the output of lighting fixtures since a low wattage LED lamp or fixture can produce more lumens than some high wattage halogen lamps. This is why I am specifying everything in lumens as does the International Dark Sky Association. I agree with them that there is really no need to go above 525 lumens per low voltage landscape lighting fixture, especially in a dark sky friendly development.

It is highly recommended that all outdoor lighting be LED now that there are so many good options available. The primary benefits of LED lighting are the energy savings, which is a reduction of our global footprint and it also lacks infrared light which is a major contributor to sky glow and the attraction of bugs. LED also saves on regular maintenance expenses.

Residential landscape lighting should be shielded and aimed properly to minimize glare. Up lighting should be minimal when used with glare shields placed toward adjacent properties or roadways.

The color of the lighting should be a warm white of 2700K-3000K. When creating a moonlighting effect, the light color should not exceed 4200K (the color of natural moon light).

I recommend that the total lumens of a landscape lighting system not exceed 13,125 lumens. Although I cannot find any actual limitations in the MLO, I feel that a dark sky friendly development should have a cap in place. This would be a total of about 25 fixtures at the maximum lumen output. So, if the lighting designer uses fixtures with lower lumen output, they could use more fixtures and still create designs below the 13,125 lumen limit. This would mean that properties that require several shielded pathway fixtures would have no problems meeting these standards while others who may want to really light up some trees would be required to use lower lumen fixtures and fewer of them.

We think that this statement strikes a nice balance to allow the designer to create a great outdoor lighting system on just about any property and still go beyond the Dark Sky MLO. Property owner’s should also bear in mind any additional restrictions applied by the Homeowner’s Association, informing the designer in advance, so that expensive alterations are not necessary after the fact.

But THAT Guy Will Do It For….

After running into some atrocious lighting systems in the past couple of weeks, I felt like I just had to address the whole issue of pricing because I think a lot of people do buy simply on price without comparing “apples to apples” when shopping for an outdoor lighting company.

Why are some systems very cheap while others are very expensive? There are a lot of variables that go into pricing an outdoor lighting system. Most folks only think about fixtures and labor, and don’t begin to think about the big picture and everything else that goes into a system’s price.

Let’s begin with the design. A good design can make a major difference in the impression or atmosphere your lighting system will create. Ask yourself (and your contractor) these questions to determine the potential skill level:

· Did the person designing the system have any formal training from lighting design experts (which can be costly), or did they take a half day seminar on lighting sales from a supply house for free?

· Do they keep up with current trends and the latest knowledge of lighting technology, or just keep on doing the same old thing?

· Do they attend yearly education classes to learn and hone their craft?

· Do they test several products a year to find out first-hand what effects can be achieved?

All of these help determine pricing. Think about your surgeon – wouldn’t you likely check his/her credentials and education before you invested in his expertise? Would you expect him to keep up with advances in procedures, techniques and technology? Wouldn’t you hope that he participates in some sort of ongoing education to hone his skills? Of course, landscape lighting isn’t brain surgery, but a true professional cares passionately about the quality of his work no matter what where his field of study lies.

Now let’s talk about materials. There are a wide range of lighting products on the market today. Most people are only familiar with the stuff you can find at the local home improvement store. Although this may be convenient for the do-it-yourself guy, these actually represent the bottom of the product quality spectrum. On the opposite end of that scale is what we call the “spec” grade products. Spec grade materials are developed after years of research using the highest quality minds and materials available; which can lead to a price tag of several hundred dollars per fixture. They are designed to perform more precisely and last longer than their cheap counterparts. The middle ground is vast and quite variable. There are hundreds of outdoor lighting manufacturers out there with hundreds of different prices for hundreds of fixtures. Let’s compare this to designer fashions: You have the high-end products created from the designs of artistic minds using expensive, rare and magnificent fabric on one end, created to be durable, well-fitted and flattering. On the other end of the scale you have the “it only costs a dollar” dress. Like fashion, there are a lot of cheap knock-offs - spun brass, lightweight copper and plastic fixtures trying to imitate the quality leaders that are more expensive but made of heavier brass, copper and bronze that also have better warranties. So, the contractor may pay anywhere from $20 per fixture for something from your big box retail home improvement store, to several hundred dollars per fixture for the product that they recommend because it will perform better for a longer period of time in the environment where you live. When you compare pricing, be sure that you know what the quality differences are among the products your contractors are planning to use. What value do you place on performance and longevity?

Additionally, there are necessary installation tools, wire (made of copper), lamps (light bulbs) or light emitting diodes (LEDs), wire connectors, transformers, timers, batteries for the timers, automation equipment, screws and more little things that are necessary to a quality installation. Just like the fixture differences, there are huge price and quality differences in the other materials used in putting an outdoor lighting system together. The products used make a big difference in pricing.

And of course someone will be spending time to install the well-designed system. Can they communicate well with the client? Do they look presentable and behave professionally while in your neighborhood and on your property? Do they know every aspect of what they are doing and can they answer your questions? Are they certified by a nationally recognized association for their profession? Maybe they normally just dig holes for plants and installing lighting is a sideline; or maybe they are handyman types with no actual lighting experience at all. Do these installers have benefits with their company, or do they make minimum wage with nothing extra? Do they participate in ongoing technical training just like the designer? A quality workforce is not cheap - and this, too, must be considered when setting up pricing for your lighting system.

What about insurance? Does the contractor have liability insurance? How much insurance? If your home is worth $3,000,000.00, does the contractor have enough insurance to cover it if something went terribly wrong? Are all or any of their vehicles covered? In Texas, workers compensation insurance is not required by law but maybe your state does require it. Do you realize how costly insurance is?

Does the lighting company work out of their home, or do they have some other location where they run their business, keep their inventory and park their vehicles? What kind of expenses does that location cost with its utilities, insurance, rent/mortgage, and maintenance? The cost of other overhead could also include health insurance, cell phone services, costs of electronics, fuel, vehicle maintenance, advertising, and other things specific to that operation.

Finally – and very importantly - there is the service after the sale/installation. Will you hire the lighting company that doesn’t return after dark to make sure all the lighting is adjusted properly to the right look? What sort of warranty of service can you expect from your contractor after the installation? If they promised you service, can you count on them to provide service when you need it? The differences in product warranties and services can be as vast and varied as the many product choices. While some companies may offer 6 months of service after the sale, others may cover the system from bumper to bumper (so to speak) for three years. It’s probably safe to say that the company that shows up for three years just to clean the fixtures for optimal lighting (at no extra charge) probably costs a little more than the company that won’t even stick around until it gets dark. How much value is there in doing business with a company of integrity?

So a lighting system is far more than a list of materials and a few hours labor. It’s good to research and shop. But be sure to compare components equally. Apples to apples – not dog food to prime rib! It has been my experience that we usually get what we pay for, and it’s important to know what that is before you write the check. The educated buyer will get the right value for their money.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after low pricing is forgotten!”
~ Leon M. Cautillo

“Quality improvement is the primary source of cost reduction. Poor quality has a huge, documentable cost.”
~Tom Peters

We’re in the Zone

We are living in exciting times in the lighting industry. In today’s world of LED lighting, the doors of technology have swung wide open, and things are moving forward at break-neck speed.

The number of options currently available in outdoor lighting is almost staggering. We have beam spread choices, color varieties, intensity ranges and zoning preferences. We can even custom tune individual fixtures and control them independently!

Only a few very short years ago, we used to be able to offer the basic dusk to dawn operation, or a timer, or even a combination of the two to operate the whole system. For a little more we could go so far as to separate the front and back yard lighting to operate independently. With the advancement of radio frequency, infrared and UPB (universal powerline bus) technology, we can now offer a remote control to craft specific lighting vignettes all over the property. Home automation has been allowing people to conceive scenes like “entertaining” or “evening” or even “security.” Now those same options are available for decorative outdoor lighting as well, along with just about anything else you can dream up. It can even be controlled on your smartphone or tablet.

Maybe you would like a star gazing setting where you only have a few down lights in your yard. Perhaps you are having a party and want to really light up the whole estate. Then again, it could be that you have a work of art in your yard, and you only want to accent that area? These and whatever else you can imagine can be easily done with today’s control programs and devices, and LED technology.

Yes, we are living in illuminating times and we’re excited about all of the possibilities that lie ahead!  Let’s get creative with your lighting controls.  www.night-scenes.com

Boat House and Dock Lighting

I am very fortunate to live in a beautiful area of Central Texas with several lakes just a stone’s throw away. From my back porch, I am blessed with the view of a lot of people enjoying boating and other water activities. The activity frequently extends after sundown, and I see all kinds of things done to add lighting to these areas: from flood lights mounted in very strange places to simple rope light. Of greatest concern are the docks and ramps with no lighting at all, just waiting for a tired boater or adventurous skier to strike them at night - which could not only cause damage to the dock and boat, but may also cause some very serious injuries.
As a lighting guy, and lake-enthusiast, I know there many options for lighting in these areas to ensure safe passage for everyone relishing moonlit water fun.
For boat houses, a simple light fixture could be mounted in the ceiling to illuminate the entire area. These lights can be controlled on a simple switch in an easy to reach place. However, the big drawback with the switch option is that you must manually turn it on. If you forget to turn it on before leaving the dock, and don’t get back till after dark, it will be just that - DARK.
My least favorite light ‘solution’ is the ever-present photo cell controlled flood lights that are generally mounted on the top of the boat house shining out into the eyes of anyone on the water. As I try to teach all my clients, brighter is not usually better. Besides being very ugly and the glare very annoying, when these lights are left on every night, they burn out pretty fast and have to be replaced. They also use and waste a lot of energy on light not actually necessary much of the time.
So, what are some better ways to illuminate these areas that you want be fun, safe and worry free?

One great option is a low profile fixture that is mounted to the dock or boathouse. These fixtures shine light out in a 360 degree pattern, and are dark-sky friendly as well as boater friendly. Here in the more rural Texas hill country, this can be important to many who love the see the starlight. These fixtures do not throw light upward, only down and outward. They have a very small footprint to keep them out of the way of foot traffic and won’t become a trip hazard.
Another of my favorites is the lighted dock cleat fixture – I love a good multi-tasker! Not only do they illuminate the dock or boat house, they also allow you to tie off your boat or personal watercraft. How cool is that?
Both of these better options use LED lighting which will last many years even when operated every night. They also use very little energy, not enough for you to even notice, and far less than even one of those glare bomb flood light bulbs. These low voltage options are also much safer around the water.
If you have a boat house or dock - or know someone who does, take a moment and see if the best options are being utilized. Help educate your water-loving friends and neighbors on the best ways to keep everyone safer on the water, and on docks and boathouses, after dark.
For more options visit us at www.night-scenes.com or www.facebook.com/nightscenes

Those Darn Lighting Vandals

Vandalism. Wreckage. Damage. No one likes to see it, especially at your own home.

But it’s out there. The perpetrators seem to seek out and destroy landscape lighting systems with gleeful passion. They work unseen, sometimes over our heads, often at night, but they leave a path of destruction in their wake.

Who are they? The real culprits might surprise you.

Of course, there are the neighborhood kids who accidentally crash into things on bikes, skate boards, or in cars – like mailboxes and lighting fixtures. Or the ones that seem to enjoy tearing things up using feet, hands, bats, and boards to wreak havoc on systems that are in the public domain like parks and neighborhood entries. This creates a lot of costly damage, busting path lights, up lights, wash lights and so on. But human vandalism is actually minimal in our experience.

However, the worse culprits we find are those creatures with more than two legs!

Let’s first talk about the ants. Here in the south we have an abundance of fire ants. These pests love to build dirt mounds over and around ground mounted light fixtures. They are attracted to the heat that these fixtures generate at night, and they find the warm area to be quite cozy, to say the least. Once covered by a mound of dirt, heat builds up in the fixture and causes it to fail. Ants also get a charge out of invading the transformers of low voltage systems, and junction boxes of line voltage systems, and the resulting damage can be expensive to repair. Luckily, there are several options available to control these boogers.

Then there is the beloved family dog whose favorite game is digging holes in the yard. Fido finds this nice low voltage wire about 6” deep in the lawn or flower bed and decides that it is in his way. The determined pooch then decides that chewing the wire in half will take care of the problem. Although this can be repaired, the only prevention here is to train the pup not to dig in the yard. This will also benefit the rest of your grass and landscape!

Now these mischievous villains do their share of destruction to outdoor lighting systems, but they are lightweights compared to the pros. These little furry scoundrels live in trees, steal the bird’s food every chance they get, and plant seeds that grow into new trees all over your landscape! Yes, that’s right - it’s the cute prankster rodents known as squirrels. These pint-sized monsters are nearly as destructive as the bandit-looking raccoon - which we’ve never actually had a problem with as far as lighting goes, but we have plenty of other stories about those darn critters. We all know squirrels can get into your attic and chew the wiring there causing dangerous short circuits and possible fires! If you hear noise in your attic, do NOT ignore it. So when it comes to your landscape lighting wiring, they do the same thing. The biggest issue they cause is chewing the wire high up in trees where moon lighting fixtures may be installed. Believe it or not, we have some creative ways to limit the damage these wicked rascals create. We are somewhat limited about what we can do about the wire going up the tree, but by attaching the wire on the side or under the limbs, we can at least make it more difficult for them to chew the wires.

These are just a few of the things that we look at when we perform a maintenance check on any outdoor lighting system, besides the lighting operation itself. If we can catch these issues early, we can usually avoid more costly repairs.

Who Got Their Money’s Worth?

Price is and should be one of many things that are considered when deciding which lighting professional to be used on a project. Price however should not be the primary decision point. I thought it might be interesting to demonstrate the difference between higher end, admittedly more expensive lighting companies, and those who offer an “economy” lighting package. And I didn’t have to look too far for an example.

Here is a photo that I took this week in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. This is just one of 21 tree mounted fixtures which were installed with their GROUND stake still attached. These are also very cut-rate fixtures with very sub-standard LED lamps. Half of this system doesn’t even work - and it’s only a year old! The wire is stapled to the trees, and the trees are growing around the staples pinching the wire, causing breakage and short circuits. Some of the lights have a green color light, some have warm white and some are kind of blue. The connections are made with regular yellow wire nuts with no waterproofing whatsoever. This means that the wiring is now corroded and completely unusable. Sadly, this system is nothing but junk and needs to be completely replaced. I don’t know what this homeowner paid for this 41 fixture lighting system, but I would say that any price was way too much.


Now right across the street from this home is a project that NightScenes installed almost 5 years ago. In all of this time, we have had to replace one lamp. That’s it – just one. We have had to clean the lenses, and make adjustments for plant growth a couple of times a year (which was free to the client for the first three years), but other than that the system is still operating at 100% and still looks like it did when we installed it. It was designed with high quality integrated LED fixtures and LED lamps with consistent color light. All connections were made with waterproof connectors. Tree mounted fixtures were installed with a proper mounting bracket using stand-off bolts, and the wire was attached with stainless steel screws and nylon zip ties to insure that the trees would not be poisoned and would not grow around the wire. This system should be fully operational for about 20 years with very little additional maintenance.
I would venture to say that the NightScenes lighting system probably cost more than double of that other system, as a per fixture price. (I only use the per fixture price since the systems don’t have the same number of fixtures). But, the first system already has to be replaced after only one year. And it is not a pleasing visual experience considering its different shades of white lights, and some of the lights just flopping around in the trees. AND the wiring hazard could create other problems. AND the damage to the health of the trees can cause premature tree loss. Which lighting system would you be proud to show off to your friends and family?
Who do you think got the better deal – the greater VALUE -- on their outdoor lighting system?
Remember, you get what you pay for. You’re simply not going to get high quality and cheap in the same package.
Please be sure to follow us on our Facebook page as well at www.facebook.com/nightscenes

Illuminating Old Glory

American flag etiquette requires that the flag be illuminated when it is flown at night. The interpretation of this obligation varies dramatically from using a solar light that doesn’t cast enough light to illuminate a piece of paper a foot away from it, to using mega-lights that could illuminate the Empire State Building.

One important point to remember is that etiquette does not say that the POLE has to be illuminated. Sadly, what we see most often is someone using a single fixture shining straight up the pole to the flag. This is problematic in two ways: First, the beam is usually too narrow to illuminate the flag in every direction, depending on which way the wind is blowing; or, it doesn’t emit enough lumens (brightness) to properly illuminate the flag. Then, if the pole is a light color, the light hitting it makes it appear brighter and detracts from the desired focal point – the FLAG!

To properly illuminate a flag, you should use two or three fixtures, depending on the size of the flag and the height of the pole. Each fixture/lamp should cast a fairly narrow beam of 10 to 15 degrees and produce at least 150 lumens each. The fixtures should be located about 3’ from the base of the pole and aimed at the ball at the top of the pole.

Here are some examples of how we at NightScenes determine how to properly illuminate our nation’s flag:

· A 12’ to 20’ pole with a 3’x5’ flag should have two fixtures. Each of these fixtures should use the equivalent of a 20 watt halogen MR16 lamp with a 10 to 15 degree beam.

· A 25’ pole with a 4’x6’ flag should also have two fixtures. These fixtures should each use the equivalent of a 35 watt halogen MR16 lamp with a 10 to 15 degree beam.

· A 35’ pole with a 6’x10’ flag should have three fixtures. These fixtures should each use the equivalent of a 35 watt halogen MR16 lamp with a 10 to 15 degree beam.

· Taller poles with 10’ or larger flags will require three fixtures. These fixtures should each use the equivalent of at least a 50 watt halogen MR16 lamp with a 10 to 15 degree beam.

These are examples, and of course each situation is different and could determine what type of fixture to be used and where they need to be placed. It is important to note that the flag should be properly illuminated from dusk to dawn if it is flown at night. Make the flag the primary focal point, not the pole.

Fly the American Flag with pride, and please respect it by using proper etiquette at all times.