Do Outdoor Lights Need Special Bulbs? (The Truth Revealed)

You’ve just purchased a brand new light fixture or lantern for your outdoor space and found yourself wondering whether you need to purchase special bulbs. If you want to ensure that your light fixture is in good shape and lasts as long as possible, then understanding how the type of bulb you use can help extend the life of your lights.

No, Outdoor lights typically use incandescent light bulbs, like those found in a standard light bulb, but they use more energy than those of a LED bulb, and they produce more heat but with a stronger amount of light.

After you learned that outdoor lights don’t need special bulbs, you might be wondering what other questions people ask about this topic, including – what type of light bulbs can be used with outdoor lights, and what are some of the benefits of using outdoor lights. Read on!

Types of Bulbs You Can Use Outdoors

Outdoor lighting fixtures come in many different shapes and sizes, so it makes sense that there would also be several types of bulbs available for them. The most common ones include:

Incandescents – These are probably the oldest form of light bulb around today. They were invented back in 1879 by Thomas Edison, who was trying to find an alternative to gas lamps at the time. He came up with his first design which consisted of two carbon rods wrapped together inside glass tubes. This created a filament that glowed when electricity passed through it. It wasn’t until years later that he developed the idea of adding filaments made out of tungsten wire into these bulbs. Today, we still refer to these as “incandescent” because they glow due to their resistance to electric current.

Fluorescent – A fluorescent lamp uses mercury vapor instead of a filament to create its glowing effect. Fluorescents have been around since the 1930s, but didn’t become popular until after World War II. During the war, the U.S. government encouraged companies to develop ways to conserve resources during wartime. One way they did this was by developing fluorescent bulbs. In fact, the military even helped fund research into creating better fluorescents. Since then, they’ve continued to improve upon the technology, making them one of the best options for indoor lighting.

LED – LEDs aren ‘t exactly new; however, they’re becoming increasingly popular thanks to their low power consumption and longer lifespan compared to traditional bulbs. Unlike regular bulbs, LEDs only emit visible light, meaning no ultraviolet rays or infrared radiation will pass through them. Because of this, they won’t damage plants or animals if left outside overnight.

Can You Use An Indoor Light Bulb for Outdoor Lights?

If you have an indoor light bulb already installed at home, it may seem strange to think that you could also install one outdoors. However, there are many types of outdoor lighting fixtures available today which allow you to do so without any problems whatsoever. The most common ones include:

• Solar-powered lamps
• Lanterns
• Floodlights
• Pathway lights
• Spotlights
• Wall sconces
• Chandeliers

Are LED lights Good for Outdoor Use?

LED lights are becoming increasingly popular because they offer several advantages over traditional light sources such as fluorescent tubes and halogen bulbs. They last longer, consume less power, generate far fewer harmful emissions, and provide better illumination levels. In addition, their compact size makes them ideal for installation indoors and out.

However, if you decide to go ahead and buy LED lights for your outdoor area, make sure that you choose high quality products from reputable manufacturers who will stand behind their workmanship.

What types of bulbs do outdoor lighting fixtures require?

Outdoor lighting fixtures come in all shapes and sizes, depending upon where you plan to place them. Some examples include:

• Pathways – These are usually placed along walkways, driveways, paths, etc., and often consist of multiple spotlights mounted together.
• Patio areas – This includes tables, chairs, benches, fire pits, grills, umbrellas, etc.
• Landscaping – Includes plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, fountains, water features, etc.
• Pool decks – Usually consists of floodlights around pools, hot tubs, spas, etc.

How many watts should I expect from my outdoor lighting system?

When purchasing outdoor lighting systems, you’ll find that different brands and models offer varying wattages. For example, a typical pathway lamp has between 10 and 20 watts while a patio table uses anywhere from 50 to 100 watts. As mentioned earlier, these numbers vary based on the model and manufacturer.

You can easily determine the number of watts needed by multiplying the length of the path or surface times the height of the fixture multiplied by 2.5. So, if you’re planning to illuminate a 5 foot long pathway, multiply 5 x 7 35 watts; then divide that figure by 1,000 to get 3.5 watts per square feet. If you want to know how much electricity is required to run a particular outdoor lighting fixture, simply look up its wattage online before making a purchase.

Is It Safe To Install My Own Lighting Fixtures Outside?

Installing your own outdoor lighting fixtures does not pose any health risks. You just need to be careful when handling electrical wiring and ensure that you follow safety precautions during construction. Also, keep an eye on weather conditions since some materials used in outdoor lighting fixtures might become damaged due to extreme heat or cold.

Can I Replace Old Lightbulbs With LEDs?

Yes! There’s no reason why you cannot replace old incandescent bulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs. Just remember to use only those made specifically for outdoor applications.

Is it safe to leave outdoor lights on during winter months?

It depends on what type of light bulb you have installed. Most people assume that leaving outdoor lights on year-round would save money but this isn’t always true. The amount of electricity consumed by most outdoor lighting fixtures varies greatly throughout the seasons. During summertime, they may draw more than twice as much electricity compared to other periods. Therefore, it’s best to turn off unnecessary lights during colder months so that you don’t waste precious resources.