You probably have a routine for getting your home ready for winter; something that you go through every year. It might even be sort of a checklist-style routine, where you just work your way down a list of chores to assure that your house and landscape are all set for winter.
But there might be an item missing from the getting-ready-for-winter checklist: your landscape lighting.
Set-and-Forget Systems
More than any other home convenience, landscape lighting systems are true set-and-forget systems.
Once the lights have been installed, and your timers or sensors are set the way you want them, there’s not much else to do. The lights do their thing without any input from you. They come on when they’re supposed to, and turn off when they’re supposed to. All you have to do is keep an eye out for the occasional bulb that needs replacing.
Except when winter arrives.
Landscape Lighting Is Even More Important During Winter
When the days grow short and evening shadows quicken, it’s a good idea to take a new look at your landscape lighting system.
Because the truth is that landscape lighting systems are even more important in the wintertime than during the summer. That’s because of the simple fact that it turns dark so much earlier during the cold months of the year.
So your landscape lighting system is far more critical to your family’s safety during the winter months. Family members consistently leave and arrive home during hours of darkness. They’re routinely walking your home’s driveways and sidewalks during low light conditions.
And during winter, of course, the footing along your home’s walkways is often made treacherous with patches of snow and ice. That makes proper lighting even more important.
Cast a Critical Eye Over Your System
So as you’re preparing your home for winter, spend a bit of time checking out your landscape lighting. Check each and every bulb to be sure that none are out, or on the verge of going out (flickering).
But also evaluate whether your lighting system is up to the task of properly lighting your home’s exterior during the winter months.
For example, look for gaps in the lighting that might result in puddles of darkness along oft-traveled paths. Just one misstep on a slick and poorly lit surface is all it takes to create a nasty accident. Sometimes extra light fixtures may be needed to adequately light your landscape for winter and eliminate those murky zones.
And sometimes the bulbs you’re using may not be up to task. You may need to upgrade the bulbs in your system to provide the sharp and distinctive lighting necessary for wintertime safety. (Have you upgraded your lighting system to LED bulbs? If not, this is the perfect time.)
Go Back to Set-and-Forget
If you’re not sure whether your landscape lighting system is optimized for wintertime, give us a call. We’ll be happy to swing by and provide a professional evaluation. If changes are needed, we can quickly do what’s required to get your system set for winter.
You can face the season knowing that your entire home and landscape are fully ready for the dark days of winter. And then you can go back to set-and-forget mode with your landscape lighting system.