Summer brings with it plenty of sunshine and opportunities to entertain. This means everything from a pool party that lasts late into the evening to a movie night with friends and popcorn. Whether you’ll be spending time indoors or outside, you’ll want to make sure your home is ready to provide adequate lighting, no matter the occasion.
Do a Routine Checkup
Before summer arrives, check for possible lighting problems. Do this indoors and outside. Create a checklist for:
- Indoors – Check to see if anything is broken or any bulbs need replacing. If you haven’t already, replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs to save on energy bills and stay cool when the lights are on.
- Outdoors – Check to see if any light fixtures are broken. Clean the fixtures, and replace bulbs. Ensure nothing is covering motion sensors or security lights. Trim any hedges that cover outdoor lights. Then clean off any dirt and grime that has built up over solar lights, and make sure they have plenty of access to sunlight during the day.
Anticipate Lighting Usage
Energy bills go up during the summer. This is largely due to using the air conditioner more often. However, because the heat beating against the windows can make the house unbearably hot, you might close the curtains and therefore use more artificial light. Prepare for this by consciously adjusting how you light the house. Allow natural light in during the early morning and late afternoon. The rest of the time, rely on task lighting and dimmer switches so that you only use the light you need at the moment.
Schedule Preventive Maintenance
The summertime can be a lot like the winter holidays. The reason for this is that just as you do during the holidays, you tend to increase light usage during the summer, especially if you plan for a lot of social gatherings. While solar lights are fantastic, you might also be planning to hang party lights or increase the lighting you use during the day. If so, it’s a good idea to have an electrician check to make sure the electrical outlets are ready to take on an additional workload.
Make Sure Your Lighting Is Ready for the Summer
Despite the availability of natural sunlight during the summer, you’ll likely be using a lot of indoor and outdoor lights. Those lights need to provide safety and functionality, and proper installation is key. If you need to replace light fixtures or upgrade your home with a new lighting installation, call us at Economy Lighting and Electric Inc. in Camarillo, CA. You’ll be amazed at the difference the right lighting can make.
