How can you reduce your energy bills by rethinking your outdoor lighting?

A well-lit garden... That's the goal of many homeowners. But behind this pretty light often lies a less dazzling reality: energy bills. Yes, outdoor lighting, however attractive it may be, can be an energy guzzler. Fortunately, as with interiors, there are simple and effective solutions for rethinking outdoor lighting and reducing energy bills. Here are our tips to help you avoid turning your garden into a money pit. 

The challenges of outdoor lighting 

Outdoor lighting has several functions. Fromwall lightswall recessed spotlightsstreet lamps or bollards, they all have one objective: to illuminate your exteriors and ensure their safety, while enhancing their beauty.

But outdoor lighting outdoor lighting can also be very energy-intensive accounting for up to 20% of your lighting-related energy consumption. So what's the point of investing in outdoor lights if you're going to leave them switched off? And you'd be right. Outdoor lighting is designed to accompany you on a daily basis. But it needs to be well thought out and optimized to be both practical and economical.

Where does energy waste hide? 

So how do you know if your outdoor lighting is energy-hungry? What are the mistakes to avoid when it comes to outdoor lighting? Here are three bad habits responsible for excessive energy consumption. 

Opt for energy-saving light bulbs

Are you still using halogens or incandescent incandescent bulbs ? These devices consume a lot of energy.

Invented in 1878, incandescent lamps work thanks to a tungsten filament heated by an electric current, which becomes incandescent and produces heat. But here's the problem: they convert 95% of the energy they consume into heat, and only 5% into light. In other words, they light up your electricity bill more than your garden! "It's precisely for this reason that conventional incandescent bulbs, with wattages from 25 W to 100 W, are now banned from sale, adds Christophe Coelho, founder of Lumihome. This type of energy-guzzling lighting is a thing of the past."

Halogen bulbsHalogen bulbs, the cousins of incandescent bulbs, work on a similar principle. The difference? They contain a specific gas, such as iodine or bromine, which partially regenerates the filament, prolonging their life. Clever, isn't it? Well... not that clever. Because despite this small improvement, they're still terribly energy-hungry. To give you an idea, according to Que Choisir, they consume up to five times more electricity than a low-energy bulb. This is precisely why they have been banned from the market since 2018.

Installing misdirected or excessive lighting 

Elegant lighting is subtle, well thought-out and strategically placed. Yet many gardens are over-lit. "The best is the enemy of the good, confirms Christophe Coelho. Too much light, or poorly placed fixtures, will be counterproductive for your outdoor lighting. You risk disturb wildlifebut also your neighborsand one thing's for sure, you'll be increasing your energy consumption. The good news: you can put all that right with our tips. You can also refer to our article "How to integrate your outdoor lighting with elegance", which gives you all the right tips for lighting without overdoing it.

Forgetting to turn off your outdoor lighting: the great classic

Finally, the last habit you need to break is forgetting to turn off your outdoor lights. Don't worry, it happens to everyone. But, as we shall see, there are some highly effective tricks for the most carelessthat will save you precious energy.

How can you reduce your energy bills by rethinking your outdoor lighting?

Now that you know the pitfalls to avoid and the bad habits to correct, let's move on to the good news! With a few changes, you can drastically reduce your expenses while keeping your garden beautifully lit.

Promoting low-energy lighting with LEDs  

If you're looking for high-performance, economical lighting, LEDs are the obvious choice, whether indoors or out. These bulbs consume 8 to 10 times less energy than a conventional model while offering the same quality of light. How do they do it? Thanks to a light-emitting diode, a technology developed in 1962, which transforms very low-voltage electricity into light. But that's not all: LEDs offer you :

• A instant start No more lights that take forever to come on.

• A infinite color palette A wide range of colors: adapt your lighting to your every whim.

• A impressive longevity up to ten years of life or more.

Admittedly, LEDs are a little more expensive to buy than conventional bulbs, but you'll save a lot in the long run, with lower bills and fewer replacements.

Switch to solar lighting

It couldn't be more practical or economical! Solar lighting harnesses free, inexhaustible energy from the sun. During the day, solar cells capture the sun's rays and convert them into electricity, which they release in the form of light after dark. With this type of lighting, you don't have to worry about electricity consumption - you simply don't spend any! What's more, the options are numerous: solar bollardsspotlights, solar wall lights, solar table lampetc. You can light up every corner of your garden, even if you don't have electricity! A beautiful light, easy to install, without a single bill: who could ask for more?

Opt for connected outdoor lighting 

Connected lighting, is the intelligent option for convenience, comfort and energy savings. With it, you have total control adjust the intensity, program the switch-on times, or turn off your lights remotely... These devices optimize your energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary lighting.. Lumihome offers you a whole range of connected luminaires, from connected recessed spotlightslike our LoRaseries pole spotslike our CCT FUTC08 RGB LED spotlightsorbulbs.

Think motion detector 

Outdoor lighting on all the time? What's the point? Thanks to the motion detector, your outdoor lighting only comes on when you need it. "Our Pyramid bollardbollard, for example, is equipped with a twilight and motion detector, adds Christophe Coelho. Unlike lights that stay on all the time, it automatically switches to 500 lumens as soon as night falls. Depending on the mode selected, the intensity increases to 1,000 lumens when presence is detected. This means you can light your walkways or terrace only when you need to, avoiding any wastage."

Planning your outdoor lighting 

There's no need to install lighting solutions in every corner of your garden. Beautiful outdoor lighting is subtle, well thought-out lighting. So : 

• Target essential areas Light only the areas you need (entrance, driveway, terrace) and leave the rest in soft half-light.
• Adjust the intensity Dim for ambience, brighter for safety. That's the secret of elegant lighting.
• Make the most of your surroundings Use walls or bright surfaces to reflect light and amplify its effect. You don't need to put a lot of light everywhere - good positioning is all you need.

How can you reduce your energy bills by rethinking your outdoor lighting? Bonus tips 

You now have all the tools you need to rethink your outdoor lighting, including solar garden lights to reduce your energy consumption. And to take things even further, don't forget to : 

• Opt for durable, quality solutions Many outdoor lighting solutions are disappointing in terms of quality. They don't stand up to the test of time, weather or wear and tear, so they have to be replaced regularly. Not only is this not environmentally friendly, it also negates any savings you might have hoped for. On the other hand, investing in durable equipment, such as that offered by Lumihome, guarantees longer life.

• Maintain your installation Outdoor lighting is subject to the vagaries of the weather. Regular maintenance means longer life.

Is rethinking outdoor lighting really worth it? Savings in figures

Let's take a simple example. If you replace your five old halogen bulbs (50W each) with LEDs (10W each), and run them for an average of 5 hours a night, you'll save 100 kWh per month. At €0.20 per kWh, that's €20 less per month... or €240 per year. And that's just for starters: with solar lamps or a motion detector, the savings are even greater! And the ecological impact? By reducing your consumption, you also reduce your CO₂ emissions. It's your contribution to a more sustainable world, while saving money at the same time.

Reducing your energy bills by rethinking your outdoor lighting is possible, and it starts with a few simple gestures. By opting for modern technologies, well-thought-out installations and clever management, you can transform your outdoor lighting into an economical and ecological ally. So, are you ready to take action?