Community Chat

[SilleeMee]

I would consider looking at the kind where the lights come on when it gets dark outside and go off come dawn rather than the motion detector kind. Sometimes those motion detectors don't work well and the lights can come on for no reason or the lights can blink constantly. Whatever you choose just be sure the lights aren't aimed at your neighbors' windows. 

ETA- LED lights do not consume much electricity so leaving them on all night will not break the bank.

[Caffeina]

@goldensrbest 

I think you should call a reliable electrician in your area. He/she can give you suggestions for what's best for your house, as well as an estimate for the work.

[Porcelain]

We just put in porch lightbulbs that sense sunrise and sunset and turn off and on accordingly. All we have to do is leave the switch on. They weren't expensive. No wifi or Alexas involved. Ours are 60 watt but you could use 100 watt and that should be quite bright. Might annoy the neighbors though.

I prefer to have a lit front and back door all night. Deters any bad people because there are always other houses they could pick instead where those areas are dark. The only downside is that I have to clean away bugs and relocate spiders off the porch a little more often than the houses that stay dark all night.

[FiddleDeeDee]

@goldensrbest  Our townhouse backs up to woods and is an end of group unit. It would get DARK at night. The design has 2 sliders on the main floor which lead out to a deck which is 2 stories above the ground and has a stair case. The walk out under the deck is one slider. The front door is on the side of the house. 

I got tired of light bulbs burning out and forgetting to turn the light on at night (suggested by our county to help prevent crime) so I went to Costco (also online) and purchased 4 of their Coachlight style outdoor light fixtures (black or bronze) about $32. The light is an LED and is supposed to run for a lifetime (80 years the CS rep told me). Replaced each fixture with one of these. BRIGHT OMG ARE THEY EVER. The ENTIRE back away of our house, under the house, into the woods, the side of my house and the front of my house are well-illuminated. BEST THING: come on at dusk, go off at dawn. I just turn the switch to on and forget about it.

Neighbors love it due to how bright it is and yet, since it doesn't come off and on, no disruption of sleep. The neighbor 2 doors down in our group of 4 townhomes also did this and now we have our entire back area and front area well lit all night. 

Hope this helps a bit. Oh, did not need an electrician...I did it myself (beams!). I did have our contractor check it out before I moved, however, lol.