Security lighting

Use motion sensors so floodlights aren't on all night

A floodlight combined with a motion sensor switches on only when someone approaches. That sudden light is more noticeable than one that's always on, and it saves power and keeps the peace with the neighbours.

Aim floodlights down, not out

A higher floodlight throws light further, but needs a narrower beam so it doesn't waste light or annoy the neighbours. Aim it at the places that matter, such as the gate, the driveway and the doors, and never into windows.

Choose the right size floodlight

How far a floodlight reaches depends on its lumens (light output) and beam angle. As LED floodlights are usually sold by wattage, use this as a starting point:

• Gate, front door or garage: Generally 10W to 30W. Enough to see who's there, without lighting up the whole street.

Driveway, side of the house or a medium garden: Generally 30W to 50W, to cover the length of the drive or the side of the house.

• Large gardens and open yards: Generally 50W to 100W, for wide open spaces.

Very large properties and commercial yards: Generally 100W and above, for the really big jobs.

• Beam angle: A narrow beam reaches further but lights a smaller area. A wide beam covers more ground but doesn't reach as far. Pick the shape that fits the space.
• Brighter isn't always safer: Too much light creates glare and deep shadows where someone can stand unseen, and it spills over the wall into your neighbours' bedroom. Several well-aimed floodlights usually beat one blinding one.

Let a day/night sensor switch handle dusk to dawn

• Day/night sensor switch: It switches your lights on when it gets dark and off at first light. Keep it away from other outdoor lights and streetlights, or it may think it's still daytime.
• Timer: Prefer to set the schedule yourself? A timer switches your lights on and off at set times, or off earlier in the night.

Choose the light colour

Cool white (about 4000K) or daylight (5000K to 6500K) gives the clearest view for security lighting.

No power point? Go solar

Solar floodlights with built-in motion sensors work well on boundary walls, gates and outbuildings with no electrical point nearby, and keep working through power cuts.