Have you ever taken a stroll down your street and noticed how some homes are bathed in light while others are barely visible? The amount of wattage used for outdoor lighting has a significant impact on the appearance of your home.

If outdoor lighting is absent, your home can look drab and uninviting. On the other hand, using excessively bright bulbs can also be unappealing. To avoid both extremes, it’s essential to select bulbs that are suitable for outdoor home use.

If you’re unsure about the appropriate wattage for outdoor lighting around your home, fear not! Read on to discover the best wattage for your outdoor lights.

What Does Watt Mean?

When we talk about watts, we refer to the rate at which energy is transferred. To put it in simpler terms, a watt is a measure of power. This can be demonstrated through the example of a hairdryer. A hairdryer with a higher wattage will blow air at a faster rate and dry your hair quicker than a hairdryer with a lower wattage.

The amount of energy used by a device is directly proportional to the wattage used. So, the more watts a device uses, the more energy it consumes. This is why it's important to choose the right wattage for different lighting types. If you choose a wattage that's too high, not only will it consume more energy, but it can also cause the bulb to burn out more quickly.

To avoid this, it's important to find the right balance between energy use and brightness. So, whether you're buying a new light bulb or any other electrical device, it's crucial to pay attention to the wattage and choose the one that best suits your needs.

What Is The Ideal Wattage For Outdoor Lighting?

When it comes to outdoor lighting, choosing the right wattage is crucial for creating the perfect ambiance. For example, if you want to highlight a pathway, garden bed or landscape area, then a wattage of 40 or lower is ideal. This will provide just enough illumination without overwhelming the space.

If you need to light up a larger area like a driveway or a smaller yard, then wattage in the range of 40 to 80 is suitable. However, if you plan to use these lights outdoors, it's important to use them sparingly to avoid creating a glare that can be harsh on the eyes.

For security purposes, floodlights with wattage of 80 and above are a great choice for larger lawns and driveways. But for most home landscape lighting, anything above 80 watts is too bright and may cause discomfort to the eyes.

The Reason for This is The Perfect Wattage for Outdoor Lighting

Getting the perfect wattage for outdoor lighting can be challenging, but choosing the right one is essential. A wattage of 40 provides enough brightness to illuminate your outdoor areas without being too harsh on the eyes. It also adds to the aesthetic appeal of your landscape, highlighting the best features.

On the other hand, a wattage of 80 or lower is the ideal choice for those who want to promote dark sky lighting. It minimizes light pollution and reduces disturbance to nocturnal animals. With this wattage, you can still enjoy a well-lit yard while contributing to a more sustainable environment.

High Wattage Outdoor Lights

Undoubtedly, high wattage light bulbs outshine average bulbs when it comes to brightness. But, what exactly qualifies as a high wattage bulb, and where do they work best?

Light bulbs with a wattage of 100 or above are categorized as high wattage bulbs due to their ability to produce an extensive amount of light. However, as they consume more energy than lower wattage bulbs, they are less energy-efficient.

High wattage bulbs are typically used in large commercial areas such as parking lots and pedestrian areas, where they provide sufficient illumination. In contrast, they are not recommended for home use as they are too bright for most outdoor areas. You could opt for a lower wattage bulb for outdoor areas around your home, but ensure it provides enough light for the area.

Medium Wattage Outdoor Lights

If low wattage lights are too dim and high wattage lights are too bright, then medium wattage lights are just right. These lights are an excellent choice for outdoor lighting, providing a balance between brightness and harshness.

Typically, medium wattage lights range from 40 to 80 watts, with 60 watts being the norm for outdoor home lighting. They're energy-efficient and produce enough light to brighten up outdoor areas.

Medium wattage lights are suitable for areas where bright light is needed, but you don't want to overdo it. For instance, they're perfect for illuminating a pathway, porch, or patio.

Low Wattage Outdoor Lights

Low-wattage light bulbs are a smart choice for homeowners who want to save on their energy bills. These bulbs are available in a range of wattages, typically ranging from 4 watts to 15 watts. However, any bulb rated 40 watts and below is considered to be low-wattage.

It's important to note that the brightness of a low-wattage bulb is directly correlated to its wattage. This means that the lower the wattage, the dimmer the light will be. As a result, 4-watt bulbs are perfect for small accent lights, while 15-watt bulbs are ideal for providing ample light for walkways or sets of stairs.

When selecting light bulbs for your outdoor spaces, it's essential to consider both the wattage of the bulb and the location of the fixture. If a low-wattage bulb is placed in an area that is exposed to the elements, it may have a shorter lifespan. Conversely, a high-wattage bulb placed in a sheltered location will last longer.

By taking into account the wattage and placement of your landscape lights, you can develop an effective and efficient lighting plan for your yard that will save you money in the long run.

Wattage & Lumens

Energy consumption, measured in watts, indicates the power required by a light bulb, while illumination, measured in lumens, indicates the light output. Thus, higher wattage corresponds to greater energy use, and higher lumens correspond to increased light output.

Which metric is more important? It depends on your priorities.

If energy efficiency is your primary concern, then lumens should be your primary focus. Modern, energy-efficient bulbs are capable of producing the same amount of light as their less efficient counterparts while consuming fewer watts. It's essential to identify the optimal lumen output for exterior lighting before installation.

On the other hand, if brightness is your main objective, then wattage is the more relevant metric. Brightness is associated with the energy consumed by the bulb, rather than its light output. Consequently, a higher-wattage bulb will emit more light than a lower-wattage bulb, irrespective of lumen output.

Selecting an Ideal Outdoor Light Bulb When deciding on a light bulb for your outdoor lighting, consider the following factors:

Longevity of the bulb Intensity of the light aka Brightness Minimal heat emission Energy Star Certification rating Location and purpose of the lighting

Shop the best Low-Voltage Landscape Lights at LeonLite

Selecting the appropriate wattage for outdoor lighting is crucial in ensuring optimal brightness while reducing energy consumption.

At Leonlite, we have a team of experts who can assist you in choosing the ideal wattage that meets your requirements. Additionally, we have vast selection of landscape lights can best fit your need.

Shop Now or Call Us for Experts: 800-990-7688