How to Build Exterior Lighting to Reduce Pollution
- 1). Consider the areas that are lit by your current lighting system. Ask yourself if the area needs to be lit or not. Some areas receive enough ambient light from lighting sources nearby that a light dedicated to the area may be unnecessary.
- 2). Install light bulbs with reduced wattage light sources. The brightest lights are not always the "best" to have installed. By installing bulbs that consume less electricity, you are easing the lighting conditions as well as reducing the amount of electricity that your lighting system will consume.
- 3). Shield your existing exterior lighting fixtures to direct the light that's emitted from them to certain areas. If you find that your exterior lights are not focused where they need to be, the additional of a shield can help direct the lighting to a specific area, which will reduce scattered light and its consequent light pollution.
- 4). Consider the placement of reflectors in areas where dedicated lights may not be necessary. Unnecessary lights, such as those used on driveways, can contribute to light pollution. Reflectors could be used to meet the same functional requirements as dedicated driveway lights.
- 5). Install motion sensors on your exterior lights to keep them from constantly contributing to light pollution. The motion sensors will detect when there is motion in the area and activate the light until there is an absence of motion. Employing this feature for your exterior lights can help reduce electricity costs and also serve as an anti-theft measure as it can scare off thieves who are under the impression that the light is powered off.
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