7 Eco-Friendly Lawn Irrigation and Outdoor Lighting Tips

“Before grooming their lawn and installing outdoor lighting systems, our customers are often concerned with higher energy costs and creating a negative environmental impact,” said John Minor, owner of Irrigation and Lighting Specialist. “We wanted to pass along a few simple tricks to help these consumers create a more eco-friendly lawn irrigation and outdoor lighting system.”

Lawn Irrigation

Irrigation systems drastically improve the look and health of your lawn, but can be a waste of water if not performed correctly. The 3 tips below can help make your lawn irrigation system more efficient.

Tip # 1 Only Water Your Lawn & Plants Early In the Morning

It may sound simple, but this tip can go a long way. It allows time for the grass and plants to absorb as much water as they need. Any excess water evaporates throughout the day.

Watering at night can create mold. The excess water will sit overnight and won’t evaporate for another twelve to sixteen hours.

Warning: Do not water in the middle of the day. The heat will evaporate a large amount of the water before the plants have a chance to soak it in. In addition, water droplets act as a prism, magnifying sunlight and can scorch the plant.

Tip # 2 Use Mulch

Placing mulch around plants helps cool roots and retain moisture, making each watering from your lawn irrigation system more effective. The mulch will deter the growth of weeds, eliminating the need for harmful chemicals. As an added benefit, mulch made from natural materials will decompose and enrich the soil.

Tip # 3 Check for Leaks in Your Irrigation System or Sprinklers

Unnoticed leaks can waste several gallons of water, which often leads to harmful overwatering of the surrounding area. It is important to conduct irrigation system checks  and maintenance to ensure efficiency.

Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor Lighting can add beauty and security to your home. It can also be responsible for a large part of your energy use. Use the following tips to save money on your next electric bill.

Tip # 4 Switch to LED Bulbs

LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs are much more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. “They cost a bit more, but last an estimated 25x longer while consuming significantly less energy,” says Minor.

Floodlights and porch lights are typically the main culprits for using excess energy in most outdoor lighting systems. Once you make the switch to LED bulbs, you should notice an immediate impact.

Tip # 5 Switch to Motion Detecting Lights & Remote Control Systems

Motion detecting lights help improve the security of your home. These security lights are great for saving energy because they usually remain dim or dormant until motion is detected.

Remote operated systems also offer great energy saving and security capabilities. With these systems, it is a good idea to keep the control by your bed. When you go to sleep, you can easily turn off your outdoor lighting. If you hear something in the middle of the night, the lights can be quickly and easily re-activated.

Tip # 6 Install Outdoor Lighting Timers

The functionality of using a timer is nearly the same as using a remote system. It has an added “set it and forget it” benefit, but cannot be turned on as quickly or as easily.

Tip # 7 Explore Solar Powered Lighting

Solar powered lighting uses the energy of the sun. Since sunshine is free, the operating cost is $0. If you have any outdoor buildings such as sheds, workshops or garages, chances are the roof receives quite a bit of sunlight each day. If so, solar lighting solutions are perfect for these areas.

“We know starting energy saving habits and choosing efficient options can often be overwhelming, but we would love to help guide you in the right direction,” said Minor.

Many of these outdoor lighting improvements can be installed on your own. Check out Irrigation and Lighting Specialist’s do it yourself lighting kits. We provide 30 minutes of initial instruction and are available at an hourly rate if additional assistance is needed.

To learn more about eco-friendly lawn irrigation and outdoor lighting options, don’t hesitate to contact Irrigation & Lighting Specialist by e-mailing John or calling 704-747-0235.