How Many Lumens Do I Need for Outdoor Security Lights

How many lumens do outdoor security lights need?

If you’re looking to install LED floodlights, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll explore how many lumens you should be aiming for, depending on the size of the area you want to cover, and how you can choose the best outdoor lighting solution for your needs.

Let’s get started!

Firstly, what exactly are lumens?

Lumens (lm) is a term that refers to light output per second. This is the amount of visible light from a light source. The higher the level of lumens, the brighter the light. Understanding lumens can help you identify how efficient the light source is, especially when you consider it alongside the wattage/power consumed (W).

The amount of lumens can be critical in helping to effectively brighten or illuminate specific areas. As a result, it’s important to know how to calculate the required lumens appropriately (more on this later!).

How many lumens is recommended for outdoor security lighting?

So, how many lumens for outdoor security lighting? We’ve created the table below to help:

What is a good wattage for outdoor security lights?

Watts refers to the power consumption of the lighting fixture. When it comes to outdoor security lights, the best wattages range from 30W to 100W LED flood lights, depending on the purpose or application of the lighting fixture and the size of the area that you wish to illuminate.

This is where LED lighting comes into play!

LED lighting solutions are an excellent choice for outdoor security lighting, especially when it comes to low power consumption and longer lifespans (compared to traditional lighting types like halogen or fluorescent). For instance, a 30W LED floodlight emits the same brightness as a 300W halogen floodlight while consuming significantly less power.

Are watts and lumens the same thing?

Watts and lumens are two separate things, despite some manufacturers rating their lights in watts. Confusion may arise due to the old-fashioned association between wattage and brightness where people believed that the higher the wattage, the brighter the light. This meant that people would buy light bulbs based on how much power they consumed. Remember: watts is a unit of power/electrical energy - not light!

Watts was previously the more commonly recognised term as this was linked to incandescent and filament bulbs, but the shift to LEDs has transferred the value of power into lumens per watt.

So, when buying your outdoor lighting solutions, make sure to look at the amount of lumens on the label, not just the watts.

Want to read more about lighting tips? Take a look at our outdoor patio lighting ideas for inspiration.

Factors to consider when choosing outdoor lighting

When choosing outdoor lighting, there are several factors that you will need to consider, including:

• Area size - larger and wider areas will require more lumens to effectively illuminate the space
• Purpose - the purpose of your outdoor lighting may also affect what type of outdoor lighting you need; is it for security purposes? Or to simply brighten an area?
• Location - think about whether you need to illuminate secluded areas and/or high-traffic areas
• Power source - how will your outdoor lighting fixtures consume power? They’ll need to be connected to an appropriate power source, which requires detailed planning!
• Colour - outdoor lighting can also come in a variety of colours, typically warm white or cool white, but RGB colours are also possible

Lumens & outdoor security lighting FAQs

How do I calculate the lumens I need?

A general rule of thumb to calculate the required lumens is to use the following formula:

Area (square feet) x Foot-candles (measure of illuminance) For example, 120 square feet area x 10 foot-candles = 1200 lumens.

How bright should my outdoor security light be?

The lumens required can depend on the type of outdoor lighting you desire. In general, outdoor security lighting should be at least 700 lumens, but this can vary depending on factors such as the area size and the purpose of the lights.

Is professional installation necessary?

While it’s possible to install outdoor security lighting by yourself, we recommend hiring professionals to help you get the job done safely, efficiently, and correctly. This means that there’s less room for error, and you’ll be able to enjoy your new outdoor lighting in no time.

How often should I replace my outdoor security lights?

Choosing LED outdoor lighting solutions means that you receive long-lasting outdoor lights which will require less frequent replacements compared to other types of lighting. However, you may still need to replace them once in a while - outdoor LEDs can last up to 50,000 hours, but wear and tear and severe weather conditions can affect their longevity.

What is the difference between watts and lumens?

Watts refers to the amount of power that is used, whereas lumens is the amount of light that is emitted from a light source. You can look at both measurements when buying outdoor lights to determine whether they’re suitable for your needs.

Do I need to maintain my outdoor security lights?

LED lights are low maintenance, but regular cleaning and maintenance can extend their lifespan further. This ensures that you don’t have to replace them frequently.

Vision Lighting’s bright and energy-efficient outdoor security lights

Here at Vision Lighting, we pride ourselves on our wide range of high-quality and energy-efficient LED lighting solutions, including outdoor security lights or floodlights. As we are ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 UKAS accredited, you can rely on us for quality products and services that meet the highest standards.

We have been supplying homes and commercial properties with expert lighting solutions for years, championing research excellence and exceptional customer service. From 50W outdoor floodlights to 100W outdoor security lights, we offer a selection of LED solutions for your outdoor space.

For a lighting solution built to last, browse our range of LED lighting products today.