3 LED Outdoor Lighting Myths Busters

Myth #1

a  bluish light which is unflattering and cold looking.

Busted

LED lighting technology can actually produce any color imaginable. Today’s TVs are made from LEDs. Illuminated Concepts uses LED landscape lighting fixtures that produce warm color tones, enhancing stone and brick. People also look more natural in this pleasant warm light.

Myth #2

LED outdoor lighting cannot produce the Lumens (light output) that traditional outdoor landscape lighting fixtures can.

Busted

LED lighting is now being used to light up high rise buildings, bridges and monuments. The high lumen output and versatility of color control make LED outdoor lighting technology a perfect choice for these applications.

Myth #3

LED landscape lighting is more expensive than a 12 volt landscape lighting system.

Busted

A 12 volt landscape lighting system will never pay for itself, yet LED landscape lighting can. The 80% electrical and maintenance savings quite often offset the entire cost of an LED outdoor lighting system. Also since LED landscape lighting is so efficient, fewer transformers and less cable are needed, thus reducing installation costs.

1. LED landscape lighting can save up to 80% in outdoor lighting energy costs, saving you $100s or even $1000s per year.

2. LED Lamp replacement is almost nonexistent. This reduces the lighting maintenance costs to almost zero. LED landscape lamps last up to 40,000 hours (that’s 21 years at 5 hours per day) WOW!

3. LED outdoor lighting is the cutting edge lighting technology. Why install an outdoor lighting system that utilizes old inefficient technology?

4. LED outdoor lighting is the safest form of lighting

LED landscape lighting produces very little heat compared to halogen landscape lights. The landscape fixture is only slightly warm to the touch ware as halogen 12 volt landscape lights can cause burns to people, pets or plants.

5. $ave green by going green. LED landscape lighting systems dramatically reduce the impact on the environment due to the big savings in energy and installation costs. LED outdoor lighting systems use much less copper wire, smaller transformers and basically no lamp replacments. Its helps saves natural resources and the environment while not sacrificing economic value.

6. LED lamps able to withstand bumps and knocks ,Unlike incandescent the lamps, LED bulbs don’t have delicate filaments which can be damaged due to movement of fixture during maintenance or rough gardeners.

7. LED Fixtures come with optics which accurately control the light output.

LED ENERGY AND MAINTENACE CALULATOR COMING SOON

What to look for in hiring an outdoor lighting contractor. Landscape Lighting can truly set your home apart from the crowd and give you many extra hours of night enjoyment. Landscape lighting can turn your home into a show place while also creating an inviting atmosphere for your family and friends to enjoy relaxing evenings at home. In my 23 years of Landscape Lighting Design and installation I have seen many outdoor lighting systems that do not achieve the desired results of homeowners. I have had to totally redo many outdoor lighting system. This unfortunate waist of money and frustration of a home owner could be avoided if they asked their lighting contractor a few simple important questions. such as.

1. Do they have landscape lighting experience?.Make sure they have landscape lighting design and installation experience. Not that they installed a Malibu’s system on a few of their other projects. I have seen expensive outdoor lighting system installed by licensed electrician that were dangerous and voltage drop so great that it took the electricity 2 seconds to activate fixtures after it was turned on…. Yes that’s right 2 seconds and this was in a 3 million dollar house.
2. Make sure that they are Licensed in the right category for outdoor lighting we have a c-10 electrical license.
3. Do they have references dealing with outdoor lighting?
4. Do they offer fixtures that are durable and will withstand the harsh exterior elements? Many landscape lighting manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty?
5. Do they use stainless steel transformers and have multiple voltage taps for longer lighting runs?
6. Do they have photographs of actual projects they have done and not photos off a web site or from a landscape lighting fixture catalog?
7. Do they understand creative lighting and design?
8. Do they have your best interest in mind or are they just trying to sell fixtures to drive up the price. We will even talk clients out of fixtures if we don’t feel it serves a practical or artistic purpose. It’s all about value.
9. Do they understand Ohms law and how it affects voltage drops and lighting effects?
10. Have they been in business for a while? What is their track record and experience?
11. Do they offer follow up maintenance or service or do they install the landscape lighting system and leave you in the dark (no pun intended) If there is a problem down the line will they be available to provide service? Maintenance and repairs is a big part of a landscape lighting professional lighting business.
12. If you have an existing system with quality fixtures and transformers, will they try to incorporate them into your new outdoor lighting system or just try to sell you everything new (note fixtures and transformers in most existing systems are not adequate but some times they are and we are happy to reuse what we can if it doesn’t comprises the quality of the outdoor lighting design and installation.
13. Do they bury the cable at least 6-8 inches below the surface.
14. Are the connections at all the lights crimped with copper sleeves and inserted in a waterproof cap?
15. Is Outdoor lighting and landscape lighting a passion of theirs?

A true lighting professional will address all these issues. This simple list of questions could of saved many homeowners thousands and thousands of dollars. Dont proceed with landscape lighting until you have asked these important questions. Knowledge is power.

• Landscape Lighting Design & Installation

• Energy Consultation with New LED Technology

• Landscape & Outdoor Lighting Maintenance & Repairs

Since the late 80′s Orange County CA has been the leader in the formation of Christmas Lighting installation companies and OC Christmas lighting services have been growing ever since. Illuminated Concepts Inc. was there from the start. In 1988 we did our first outdoor lighting installations out of the back of a 10 year old Toyota Cressida station wagon. The following year we rented the back of a warehouse and started providing Christmas Lighting design and installation services on a larger scale. During our long history I have seen many companies offer unsatisfactory services to customers in Orange County.

What lighting services should a reputable Orange County Christmas Lighting company provide?

Orange County Christmas Lighting Design

The OC Christmas lighting company should have experience and example of creative Holiday lighting displays that they have successfully completed. Ask to see photos of there work.

OC Christmas Lighting installation

The Orange County Holiday lighting company should have expertise in safe installation practices and electrical knowledge. Your dont want any injuries on your properly and unsafe electrical installations.

Orange County Christmas Lighting maintenance and repairs

Once Holiday Lighting display is up, are they available to repair any problems should they come up? And they do. I have heard many stories of once the lights were up ,the installer could never be reached again. 

OC Christmas Lighting Removal

After the Holidays are over the Orange County Christmas Lighting company should remove all the lights in a timely manor. Again not just drop out of site after the lights have been installed.

Illuminated Concepts Inc. has been providing complete Landscape and Outdoor Lighting services for Orange County and Southern CA since 1988.

OC Landscape lighting and OC Christmas lighting provided in these postal codes

92688, 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692, 92694, 92679, 92637, 92653, 92654, 92656, 92677, 92607, 92653, 92656, 92698, 92672, 92673, 92674

Planning Christmas Lighting for Orange County

Over the last 20 years, Orange County Christmas lighting  has become an art form. Christmas lighting is not just large multi colored c-9 bulbs strung across the front of the house. Now with the advent of  digital timers, controllers and LED lights the design options are endless. In this article I will mainly focus on some basic Christmas Lighting considerations that can make a home look  inviting for guests and fun for the kids. The following tips are a guide in process of having a successful Holiday lighting for all to enjoy.

1.OC Christmas lighting with a purpose

Decide who is the lighting intended for?  Many times my clients want to have their home look elegant and festive for their Christmas parties and or family coming in from out of town for the holidays. For holiday guests and parties, lighting on the front of the home creates the most impact.However if  the primary purpose for the Christmas lighting is for the children, colors and sparkle add to their excitement of the Christmas season .

2.Design- What type of Christmas lighting design should I have?

The front of the house is always the main focal point and create the most dramatic effect . Accenting the eve lines of a home  and around windows and doors can often achieve this effect. To broaden the over all Holiday lighting scene, trees and bushes can be sprinkled with mini lighting creating an winter wounder land. The front door and entry area are vital areas to consider because this is where guests and party goers enter the home. Having wreaths and Garland with lights draped around the front door make any entry way look warm and inviting.

If your having holiday parties you should also consider what can be viewed form inside the house . Adding  clear mini lights on trees, bushes will add a more festive look from inside the home. Using large clear c-9 lights on patio and deck areas can also create general illumination for festive outdoor enjoyment . The biggest benefits  illuminating back patio areas is you can enjoy the holiday look of the Christmas lights all season long. The magical look doesnt disappear as soon as you enter you house.

If Christmas lighting is primary for your children colored lights seem to give that extra dazzle that kids enjoy. Also lights in motion and animated figurines create an added magical experience for children during the holidays.

3. Christmas lighting safety – Safety first

Don’t ruin your holidays with injury or fire.  The two main risks of injuries are caused by falling of roofs or ladders during the installation.  Improper electrical practices may also cause fires. These two thing alone cause many injuries and deaths per year. In

juries can be avoided by utilizing common sense and following the guide lines of  the proper use of ladders. The ladders all have labels on their proper use and limitations. Never stand on the top rungs of any step ladder or extension ladder. Always make sure that the ladder is on solid level ground. Never install in wet conditions .

For electrical safety basics you should  follow the limitations and instructions on the box of lights. Make sure the lights are UL approved for exterior use. It is very important to not put too many lights on any string of lights , extension cord, timers or adaptors. Before you connect any of these it is essential to know the electrical limitation of all component of your Christmas lighting display. If using staples be VERY careful to NOT put a staple through any lighting or electrical cord, this can cause dangerous electrical shorts. Shingle and gutter clips are a good way to avoid this problem.

4. Orange County Holiday lighting installation .

After having some basic ideas its time to plan for installation time. The Holiday lighting season is generally  from Thanksgiving to New Years Day. I always suggest to get the lights up early to guarantee full use of Christmas lights. When using a professional lighting service it is very important to commit early before their schedule is full. What I always say is you can have the lights installed before Thanksgiving but you and turn them on any time after that.

5.Orange County Christmas lighting  Removal

January 1st is normally when the Christmas lighting displays are deactivated and removed shortly afterwards. In Orange County many HOAs require Christmas lights be removed shortly after the 1st of the year.

The removal of lights is much easier than installation but still can be dangerous if not performed in a safe  manor. When wrapping the strings of lights start with the female plug end so that once the string of lights is coiled up it can be easily plugged in and checked the following season .

These are some basic guidelines to get full enjoyment  your Christmas lighting in Orange County, Also creatively designed and installed landscape lighting can also add much value and utilization to your home and yard. Outdoor lighting can truly transform your home or estate into a mini-resort. For any other questions on Christmas lighting  or any other exterior lighting ,just call Illuminated Concepts Inc. at 949-455-9914. We are  located in Orange County in  Laguna Hills CA . also visit  visit us on the web at www.oclights.com

Orange Counties Cities Served by Illuminated Concepts Inc.

Rancho Santa Margarita ,San Clemente San Juan Capistrano,Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Tustin,Villa Park Landscape Lighting,Westminster Landscape Lighting ,Yorba Linda, Irvine , Aliso Viejo ing, Anaheim ,Anaheim Hills , Brea , Buena Nellie Gail Ranch , Park vista ,Coto De Caza , Trabuco Canyon , Ladera Ranch ,Telga , Costa Mesa ,Cypress , Dana Point ,Emerald Bay ,Fountain Valley ,Fullerton ,Garden Grove Huntington Beach , Irvine,La Habra ,La Palma , Laguna Beach ,Laguna Hills Laguna Niguel Laguna Woods ,Laguna Niguel , Lake Forest , Los Alamitos ,Mission Viejo Landscape Lighting ,Newport Beach, Newport Coast ,Orange Landscape Lighting ,Placentia ,OC Landscape lighting and OC Christmas lighting provided in these postal codes

92688, 92675, 92690, 92691, 92692, 92694, 92679, 92637, 92653, 92654, 92656, 92677, 92607, 92653, 92656, 92698, 92672, 92673, 92674

Make your orange county home look like  mini-resrt,

5 outdoor lightig tips to make any orange county home look and feel like an exotic resort.

1. purpose

enhace archtecral and landscpe featureS

expand interior living enviornmen

Increaase utilization of back yars

Security

ALL THE ABOVE

2, architectural accent

accent entry ways, peacks texture of  stone work,

3. landscape features

4. viewing angles

5. utilization

The importance of landscape lighting maintenance

This is an example of outdoor lighting that has not been maintained. It is obvious that this landscape lighting is not effective.

Landscape light in disrepair

This light below makes a great ashtray

Landscape lighting made out of corrosive material and

water deposits on lens

Lack of Landscape trimming around lights obstructs illumination 

Bush crowds out light

In ground landscape light covered with grass and dirt