How to Be a Good Lighting Neighbor

It is easy to determine if you are a good lighting neighbor. Turn on your outdoor fixtures. If any light is shining directly onto your neighbor's property, and especially onto a house, you are trespassing. Your lights should light your property only.

It is a common problem because unshielded spotlights have been popular in the past as outdoor fixtures. Most people are reluctant to complain. A thoughtful neighbor will be proactive and not wait for complaints.

Fixing this is usually as simple as shielding the fixture and aiming it so as to direct the light where you need it, not onto your neighbor's property. Hopefully the shielding will also block uplight and remove glare from your own property imporoving your visinility. In rare cases you might need to change out a fixture or add a fixture to cover the desired area without throwing light everywhere.

While you are at it, if some element of its function is security, the Illumination Engineering Society recommends using motion sensors, especially in a residential setting. Lighting that is on all the time, particularly when everyone is asleep is not a reliable security device. In fact, in may facilitate crime rather than discourage it. With the proper switch you can choose between continuously on or triggered by motion. In most instances this provides superior security at minimal energy use, lower utility bills and environmental impact.

Shield Sources:

Shields for most of those large outdoor spotlights (R38 bulbs) can be found here: http://www.parshield.com/shop.php

Or you might consider replacing those bulbs with more efficient LED bulbs. In which case shields for R20 and R30 Bulbs can be found here: https://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com/store/glare_shields_wire_guards.htm

Selecting New Fixtures:

If you need to consider new fixtures visit this page: https://www.darksky.org/fsa/fsa-products/

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  • Add some content to your block grid item here. The block grid responds a little differently than traditional columns, allowing you to mix and match for cool effects.
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