A guide to buying a motion activated light

There are several reasons to install motion activated lights in your garden and exterior: for security, for safety and even for decoration. Regardless of whichever lights you choose, take care not to fit them with bulbs that are more powerful than you need. Not only will you be wasting money on electricity, but the bright glare will also look unappealing. Here some more tips on buying motion detector lights.

Security

Solar security lights are most effective if they are bright and targeted, but if they are wrongly placed, they can annoy your neighbours, cause a nuisance to passing traffic and lose any impact that might deter an intruder. High-wattage floodlights are available, but these are far too powerful for domestic use. Choose a 150watt light over a 500watt one - it will still be bright enough without using electricity to light up the whole street.

Motion detectors

Choose a security light with a motion sensing PIR built-in. Alternatively, you can buy a separate sensor and fit them together. This will switch the light on only when it detects someone approaching, but it is important to position it and adjust it carefully to avoid it being triggered by pets or branches. Floodlights Choose a floodlight that can be angled towards the ground to illuminate the area close to the house. Avoid shining a dazzling light into nearby properties or out into the road.

Safety

Motion security lights can also be extremely useful to illuminate a path or doorway that will ensure your safety when approaching your house at night. You don't need a bright floodlight for this - a bulkhead light will be more than sufficient and ornamental lantern lights will be a far more attractive option within the garden. Fit lights at the entrance to a shed or garage with a PIR sensor as well, so that they illuminate your approach and you do not have to switch them off again. A dusk to dawn sensor is a good idea for lights at a front door and it can be combined with a PIR sensor. Decoration Low-level lighting can be run through borders to highlight garden ornaments or specimen plants. Any functional lighting fitted with movement detectors can be used to make an outdoor space practical to use even late in the evening.