Thinking about buying some new solar lights this winter but worried about how they’ll perform? Here are some top tips for getting the most from your solar lights when sunlight is limited.

How solar lights work:

Solar lights function by absorbing natural daylight via a panel of photovoltaic cells, which is then converted into electrical current by way of a rechargeable solar battery. The panels conserve the sun’s energy throughout the day, charging the battery in the light, and then when night falls, a photoreceptor is able to detect the darkness and the light activates.

In using the sun’s renewable energy, solar lighting is an extremely energy-efficient light source, helping homes and businesses to reduce their carbon footprints – and their utility bills.

Do solar lights work in winter?

Whilst direct sunlight will provide the best conditions for solar products, as it is less diffused through clouds, solar panels actually use energy from daylight, not sunlight per se. This means, no matter what time of year, solar lights charge in exactly the same way – as long as the solar panel receives enough daylight to power up the batteries to a point that the light can function. But there are a number of differences between daylight in the summer and daylight in the winter which means you may not always get the same result.

Firstly, during the longer summer days, you could expect a solar panel to receive charge for as long as 12-14 hours, but in the winter, the days are much shorter, so this timeframe reduces significantly – sometimes to as little as six hours – and even then, the quality of those daylight hours is arguably weakened as there are typically more overcast days. Even on a cloudy or rainy day, the panels are still working hard, and there are three key ways to maximise the efficiency of solar lamps during winter:

1. How you position the solar panel

Whatever the season, the sun will be at its strongest point at noon, so it is a good idea to position the panel to ensure that will receive the most charge during this time.

2. Remove obstacles

Light rays can become obstructed by shadows from buildings, bushes, and trees. Take some time to look around outside your premises to locate the most suitable position for your solar lamps, and clear blockages where possible.

3. Switch lights off during the day

A lesser known fact is that solar lights will continue to charge while turned off. To ensure maximised energy output, consider turning them off during daylight periods.

Choosing a solar light

Solar lights are available in a wide range of styles and can be used for many different purposes. For example, if there is a pathway to your premises that you want to illuminate, solar lamps can be faced downwards to mark the parameters. Solar spotlights mounted to the wall are an excellent way to enhance security, as they have a bright focused beam and can be adjusted to illuminate specific areas. And if you’re looking for a more ambient light or atmospheric feel to your outdoor space, soft accent solar lights dotted around outdoor spaces can be used to highlight a water feature, statue, or sign.

Lyco also stocks a wide range of solar powered floodlights and spotlights with built-in motion sensor (PIR) security features. A PIR ensures that the light only turns on when movement is detected nearby, preserving charge and ensuring that no energy output is wasted. To find out more about solar lights for your home or business, browse our wide selection here.

Charles Barnett Managing Director

Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.

You may have heard a lot a talk about lumens recently, but what are they and why do they matter?

In most simple terms, lumens are a measurement of light. More specifically, they are used to measure the total amount of light (or brightness) produced by a single light source. Increasingly, light bulb manufacturers are using lumens on their packaging, to help consumers make more accurate decisions about the type of bulb they need.
Historically, it has been watts that have provided this information, but with bulbs becoming more energy efficient due to the increased adoption of LED technology, wattage is becoming a far less accurate or relevant metric in lighting – modern LED bulbs can produce equal (or more) amounts of light using less power than their traditional equivalents. For example, most would assume that a 6.5W LED bulb would produce less light than a 50W halogen bulb, but because the low energy LED bulb is capable of producing a higher light output while using far less power, this isn’t always the case.

Ultimately, lumens just make more sense, as choosing a light bulb should come down to the light produced, and not the energy consumed in doing so. As a helpful pointer, many modern LED bulbs will be accompanied by an approximate equivalent watt specification on their packaging, but it will likely be some time before lumens are accepted as the ‘go to’ lighting metric amongst consumers.

Lumens Vs. useful lumens

When comparing lightbulbs, it is not enough to look at lumens and watts alone. This is because lumen levels are measured differently between different styles of bulb. For directional bulbs, such as spotlights, some of the light produced may be ‘wasted’, but is still counted in the total lumens rating. But, for non-directional bulbs such as candle, globe, or ball shape, the lumen output is measured in all directions.
In a bid to make light bulb comparisons more straightforward, a new useful lumens rating was introduced which only measures the light that is released in a 90° cone from the centre of the bulb, ignoring any light that is split or ‘wasted’. This measurement is more accurate for spotlights in particular as the light is only emitted in one direction.

How many lumens is enough lumens?

Every room will have its own lighting needs depending on size, ceiling height, colour scheme, the amount of natural light coming into the room, and how the space is used. Therefore, there’s no optimum lumen level, so to speak. However, the below cheat sheet provides a useful introduction into the ideal lumen level for various settings:

To assess a light bulb in terms of its energy efficiency, wattage remains a vital statistic. However, in order to gain a true understanding of how bright a bulb will shine, the answer lies in lumens.

Charles Barnett Managing Director

Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.

As the name suggests, dusk to dawn lighting is a form of lighting that operates from sunset to sunrise – a built-in photocell automatically switches them on when darkness falls, and off again at when light is detected. Dusk to dawn lights are a great way of improving the security of a property, whilst simultaneously minimising energy consumption, whilst also removing the burden of having to manually switch them on and off every morning and evening.

Getting the right lighting for the job

When choosing dusk to dawn lighting it is crucial to ensure that you select the right solution for the task at hand, but that isn’t to say that they can’t look the part too. Dusk to dawn lights are available in a wide range of styles, with something to suit every exterior. The Edit Coastal Half Lantern is a great choice for subtly illuminating doorways or exterior walls, and, due to its traditional design, works particularly well with period properties. Dusk to dawn floodlights and spotlights on the other hand, provide more high-powered, functional solutions, which are better for illuminating large spaces such as gardens, driveways, or the exterior of a commercial premises.

Improve your security with dusk to dawn lighting

As well as creating the illusion that a property is occupied at all times, some dusk to dawn lights also come with built in PIR sensors, which act as an extremely effective burglar deterrent, due to the fact that they are able to detect movement from up to 10 meters away and have a detection range of 180 degrees. Used alongside one another, wall lights and spotlights can significantly improve security, and provide peace of mind for the property owner, even when they’re elsewhere.

Greater energy efficiency

Dusk to dawn lights not only come in a wide range of styles and perform a variety of practical functions, most are now equipped with LED technology, making them an extremely cost effective and environmentally friendly option. Additionally, as dusk to dawn lights only turn on when triggered, there’s no risk of leaving them on accidentally and wasting electricity unnecessarily. The vast majority of dusk to dawn lights come with an override switch that allows for manual operation which, for those who like full control over their lighting, is the best of both worlds.

Dusk to dawn lights provide an array of benefits to homeowners and owners of commercial premises alike. To discuss the best lighting options for your property or premises, speak to our experts today.

Charles Barnett Managing Director

Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.

LEDs have become the most efficient source of lighting available, using up to 90% less energy than incandescent lighting and 60% less than fluorescent lighting. However, LED lighting has not always been the cost-efficient alternative that it is today, with the first LEDs costing around $200 each. Since the first visible LED was created in 1962 the technology has grown rapidly, with LED lights becoming an extremely popular lighting solution in recent years.

So, what exactly are LEDs and how could you benefit from installing them throughout your business premises?
A Light Emitting Diode (LED) is an electrical light source that only allows an electrical current to flow in one direction. LEDs contain two conductive materials that are placed in contact with each other – once electricity is applied to the diode, the atoms in one material become charged with energy. This energy is then released in the form of electrons into the other conductive material – this release of energy is what creates light. The process of generating light is what distinguishes LEDs from traditional lighting, as regular incandescent bulbs produce light by creating heat.

Benefits of LED Lighting

LED lighting boasts various benefits when compared to traditional solutions.

• Energy-efficiency: LED bulbs are far more energy efficient when compared to the traditional alternatives with energy savings of 80-90% over incandescent or halogen technologies and up to 50% in comparison to fluorescent lamps.
• Longer lifespan: LEDs last 2 or 3 times longer than fluorescent bulbs and over 50 times longer than incandescent lamps. The typical lifespan of an LED is up to 50,000 hours, further slashing replacement and maintenance costs.
• Instant light: many fluorescent lights can take a while to ‘warm-up’ and reach their full brightness, however LEDs light up immediately.
• Eco-friendly: LED technology has the potential to dramatically reduce carbon emissions as around 20% of the world’s electricity is used on lighting, so finding a more energy efficient solution will reduce this. Additionally, as LEDs don’t contain mercury, disposal of the bulbs is much easier and cleaner.
• Lower heat output: unlike filament bulbs, an LED lamp does not project infrared heat in its beam, making them more suitable for lighting heat-sensitive items like artworks or food. As LEDs emit less heat they are also ‘safer’ than traditional bulbs, reducing the risk of fire caused by high temperature bulbs.
• Added durability: LEDs are a solid state form of lighting, meaning they are able to withstand lower temperatures and higher levels of vibration and shock in comparison to incandescent or fluorescent lamps.

Replacing traditional lights with LEDs

Retrofit LED bulbs look like traditional incandescent or halogen lamps, and can be used in the same fittings as traditional bulbs. These types of LEDs are suitable for a majority of scenarios, however, close attention needs to be paid to the heat dissipation of the bulbs, especially when being used in enclosed light fittings. Alternatively, speciality LED light fittings can be designed with non-replaceable LEDs, as due to the extended lifespan of LED bulbs they do not need to be replaced regularly. In these scenarios the whole fitting is replaced once it comes to the end of its lifespan. These fittings can be designed to achieve the highest level of efficiency possible, as they are custom designed to the building to reduce the amount of wasted light.

How much can you save by converting to LEDs?

When comparing LEDs to traditional lighting technology, the increased energy efficiency and extended lifespan result in a substantial long term savings. As previously mentioned, LEDs use up to 90% less energy than incandescent (including halogen) and 60% less than old fluorescent lighting, resulting in instant energy cost savings. On top of this, the extended lifespan of LED bulbs means they need to be replaced far less regularly, further reducing any additional maintenance costs. Investing in a full LED conversion may seem daunting initially due to the investment required. However, the subsequent savings will mean any initial investment is soon repaid. Our blog post on the savings that can be made by converting to LEDs includes a great example of exactly how much a business could save by making the switch.

A bright future for LEDs

LED lights are an energy efficient, long life, eco-friendly alternative to traditional lighting. For businesses looking to reduce their long term energy costs and carbon footprint, LED is the way forward.

Charles Barnett Managing Director

Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.

When it comes to office design, lighting should be one of the biggest considerations – if not the biggest – because it has the potential to affect so many different aspects of working life. From improving employee health, wellbeing, and productivity, through to reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs, choosing the right lighting can have a significant impact on a business’s bottom line, not to mention the happiness of its workforce.

However, it’s not always as simple as just replacing one type of lighting for another; different areas of an office may require different lighting configurations depending on the type of work that happens in that workspace, and how often the lights are used, for example:

Office reception lighting

Office entrances or reception areas are where visitors – and potential customers or clients – get their first impression of a company, so it’s important to make it a good one. The lighting used in a reception will help set the tone for the entire office or building, and a key factor in creating that vital first impression made on any guests.

Using simple, minimalist light fittings will help create a highly corporate feel, whilst using bold colours and quirky lamp shades can help bring about a fun and laid back atmosphere. Lighting can also be used to highlight important areas within a business’s premises, such as the reception desk and walkways, in order to help guide visitors through the building.

The use of shape and colour creates a sense of fun in this example. Credit: officesnapshots.com

Office meeting room lighting

Flexibility is crucial when selecting lighting for meeting rooms, as these are typically rooms with multiple uses; from delivering presentations, through to more intimate one-on-ones, meeting rooms need lighting that flexes with employee’s needs. Having the ability to adjust the light levels through the use of dimmers or separate parts of the room using split lighting will allow whoever is using the meeting room to make sure the lighting is fit for their purpose.

Office floor lighting

The office floor is where the majority of staff spend most of their time, so making sure that the lighting is just right should be a high priority. The ideal lighting for office workspace is natural daylight, so lighting solutions that mimic and enhance natural light should be used where possible.

There are two crucial aspects to consider when choosing lighting for an office – background lighting and task lighting. Background lighting should be arranged to reduce overhead glare, which can be dazzling and lead to health issues such as headaches. To combat this, lighting should be evenly dispersed throughout the office space, whilst being careful to minimise shadows.

Task lighting should be adaptable so that employees can personalise light levels to fit their individual needs. It has been found that giving employees the ability to control their own lighting can decrease stress and boost job satisfaction. Adjustable desk lights give employees full control over their lighting ensuring that it can be tailored to suit their needs.

LED Lighting

We’ve previously highlighted why converting your office lighting to LEDs makes business sense. An LED installation can improve energy efficiency by up to 60% when compared to traditional fluorescent lights. There is also the equally important matter of longevity. LEDs have a lifespan of approximately 50,000 hours, far exceeding that of a regular bulb, further reducing maintenance time and costs. LEDs are the perfect option for lighting an office as they provide a brighter, clearer light in comparison to fluorescent tubes.

When designing the lighting for your office there are many different aspects to consider. If you are looking to upgrade the lighting in your office contact us today to see how we can help.

Charles Barnett Managing Director

Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.

Many may find it quite surprising that some of the most stunning views on earth are not actually of the earth, but of the starry skies that lie above us.

While most of us live in areas that prevent us from being able to witness these in their full glory, astro-tourism is quickly becoming the latest fad for those wishing to behold something new.

So the Team here at Lyco thought we would explore the world of stargazing and find the best spots for any budding astronomers, whether you are going just to take a quick look or camping out with your telescope there is a place for everyone.

To see the full list of these stunning spots simply click here or on our infographic below.

Are you looking for more lighting news, inspiration, or information? Check out our Lighting Advice

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Charles Barnett Managing Director

Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.