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- Garden Lighting
- Ground Lights
Ground Lights
Ground lights are discreet and blend into any environment. You can install them to highlight trees or gardens, illuminate corners, or provide general illumination at the front of your home.
They are specifically designed to provide a beautiful, unobtrusive view of the landscape design while drawing attention away from the fixture. These low-profile lights can add dramatic lighting to a public or private space, but things can go wrong during or after installation.
Continue reading below as we go over ground light applications and list some common issues so you can make an informed decision when adding ground lights your outdoor space.
Ground Lights Uses
Ground lights can be used to illuminate pathways and create inviting areas in a variety of outdoor spaces. Here are some uses of ground lights:
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In private gardens or public areas, ground lighting can create a great mood by illuminating the space with soft light. Spot lighting emphasizes modern aesthetics.
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Having ground lights to line your pathways can be an effective way to highlight where a path is going, and winding.
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Ground lights are useful in dark places where people have never been before, such as holiday parks, caravan parks, campsites, or hotels.
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Outdoor areas feel safer at night when they are well lit that is why ground lights are best option to can make pathways, cycle paths, and other public areas feel more inviting to the public. It is often used by local government to make towns and cities safer for their residents.
Solar-Powered Ground Lights Benefits
Outdoor solar lights are simple to install and require little maintenance. The best part is that using them will not raise your electric bill. Pathway light sets, wall-mounted lamps, freestanding lamp posts, security lights and in-ground path lights are popular home uses for outdoor solar lighting.
Solar cells that turn sunlight into electricity are used in outdoor solar lighting systems. They store electricity in batteries for use at night. Self-sustaining solar powered units like ground lights can have many benefits.
Cost Saving
Using renewable energy to power ground lighting can provide big savings on your electricity bill. This is especially important for councils and local governments when it comes to lighting up larger public spaces on a budget.
Automatic
Solar-powered lighting units detect low light levels and turn on by themselves, helping you save energy. With this, there is less chance that lights will be left on and energy will be wasted.
Adaptable Placement
Solar powered ground lighting systems can be placed almost anywhere, on roads, paths, and a range of terrains. The simple installation and off-grid capability make solar powered ground lighting a simple, convenient lighting solution in all private and public spaces.
Environmental Advantage
Solar ground lighting is an excellent way to save energy and lower your carbon footprint. It not only eliminates greenhouse gas emissions, but it also has a lower impact on local wildlife than traditional streetlights.
Nocturnal animals can be harmed by light pollution caused by town and city lights. Choosing ground lights can reduce upward light spillage and thus the negative impact of lighting on animals.
Common problems with ground lights and quick solution
Water Ingression or Flooding
One common problem is the risk of flooding when it rains. If the in floor recessed lights are mounted in soil that has poor drainage or no drainage at all, the risk of flooding rises. Although most well lights or ground lights are IP68 rated and can withstand some water exposure, they aren’t meant for use underwater.
When you have a flood, you need to turn off the electricity until the water goes down. Give the ground plenty of time to dry up again. Check over all your fixtures for any water damage before turning them on again.
Water from below
As the ground light or well light gets hot, it expands and air escapes through the seam where the lens and trim meet or at the bottom of the fixture where wires come out. If the wire coming out of the bottom of the fixture isn't sealed properly, moisture could get inside to cause corrosion and electrical shorts.
So you want to prevent this from happening, install the fixture in gravel which does not absorb rainwater. If this is not possible, use a sealant around the wire to ensure no moisture gets in.
Water from above
Loose seams on the lens cover of poorly constructed recessed lights can cause water to leak into the fixture, damaging the light source and wiring. Or this can be because some fixtures become drippy over time because the gaskets that help seal the fixture are starting to disintegrate.
To avoid water damage to your light fixtures, here are some tips to fix it:
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Be sure to buy those with a lens cover and trim with a flush seam.
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Try to find one with lens covers that have a slight curve to them. This helps water roll off the fixture more easily.
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If you have older fixtures, search for replacement parts.
Cracks and Breaks
Most ground lights are not built to withstand being walked on or driven over, but accidents do happen. If a glass lens is cracked, broken, or shattered by the impact of a car or heavy vehicle on a driveway or sidewalk, it may not be able to withstand further pressure.
An easy way to prevent traffic from walking over the well lights is to install them in an elevated position, such as on a small landscaped hill or platform. If that isn't an option, consider incorporating some sort of barrier into the design.
Extreme Temperature
Because most floor recessed lights are installed outdoors, they must withstand outdoor weather influences such as heat and cold. After long-term use, the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the lighting fixture causes water vapor. This moisture easily gets into the light and forms water droplets on the glass cover. The hot glass cover could also be a risk for some public areas where people are exposed to it.
While there’s no way to prevent overheating altogether, you can make sure it doesn’t happen by following these tips:
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When shopping for an in-ground well light and the bulb to go in it, check the manufacturer’s specs to be sure you buy a fixture and bulb that are approved for the ambient temperatures where it’ll be installed.
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To ensure the safety of your fixture and bulb, choose bulbs that are rated for enclosed fixtures.
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Try to avoid placing fixtures where they will be exposed to direct sunlight with no shade for extended periods of time.
Human Error
DIY enthusiasts, novices and professionals alike make mistakes. Using incorrect or damaged parts such as bulbs of the wrong wattage and shape or a cracked lens cover can cause problems with your installation. If you install the fixtures while the ground is still wet from the previous day's rainstorm, the process can also be hazardous.
Are you ready to start your next landscape lighting project? Zest Lighting can help. We have a wide selection of outdoor lighting fixtures and bulbs to choose from, as well as expert assistance in finding the right products for your needs.