Security Lights – Edinburgh


Security lights are a good intruder deterrent


For repairs, replacement and installation of security lights in Edinburgh, HomeForce provide experienced electricians and security professionals.

All tradespeople are thoroughly vetted continuously appraised and have a proven reliability record.

Book a free quotation by calling 0131 315 0000, emailing info@homeforce.co.uk or completing the form on this page.

Read on to find out costs of Security Lighting in Edinburgh, reasons to consider installing security lights and types of lighting and switches. Also read HomeForce’s tips for installing security lights.

Why install security lights?

  1. A significant deterrent to intruders and burglars. Even more so than a burglar alarm according to some studies.…but not as good as a barking dog!
  2. Helpful for when arriving home in the dark
    •  Avoid trip hazards.
    • Find keys (and the lock)
    • Simply for the feeling of security
  3. Insurers may reduce premiums for properties with security lights.

Types of security lights & switches

Motion sensors that turn on lights are what is most commonly used for security lighting. These switches are PIRs (Passive Infrared Sensors). They send out an infrared light that senses when something moves in it’s “radius of vision” and so switch the light on. The light goes off when there is no further movement for a period of time.

Security lights can also be wired to normal switches (inside or out), to switches that detect levels of light / dark to timers, to switches that work by remote control or even a combination of different types of switches, for example, a timer and a light sensor.

There are also many different types of lights to consider for security lighting; floodlights, HID lights, soffit lights, bulkhead lights, LED lights and more. In fact, there are too many options to consider here. Let’s just say “Consult with a HomeForce professional”. They will be able to help you determine the best location, the best type of light and the most suitable switch mechanism.

Cost to supply and fit security lights in Edinburgh.

Light fittings themselves range from £10 to £200 and probably more.

As always with such things “you get what you pay for”. A more expensive light will probably be more resilient to weather, provide greater light and quite simply last longer. Seeking the advice of a professional is usually the way to save money in the long run. Also see point 1 in our tips below, you don’t need the best of the best.

In addition there may be costs for cabling, conduit, switches and sundry items.

Then there’s the cost of labour. HomeForce Electricians charge £45 + VAT / hr. It will usually take between 1 – 2 hrs to run cabling for, fit and connect up a security light. There are, as one would expect, economies of scale if / when fitting more than one light.

Security Lighting tips from Edinburgh HomeForce

  1. Your security lighting doesn’t need to be the best security lighting in the street to act as a deterrent. It just needs to be better than the worst. That’s because prospective intruders will target properties with the worst or no security lights.
  2. Fit security lights with two bulbs / lamps. The inconvenience of an external light bulb blowing is greater than an internal light bulb. Give yourself a bit of breathing space to get the lamp changed.
  3. In connection with point 2 above point if one lamp / bulb in a fitting goes just replace both lamps. If one’s gone then the other is likely to be on the way out.
  4. Consider LED security lights rather than Halogens. They may be more expensive but they cost less to run and the bulbs / lamps will last longer.
  5. Select light types and position them so that they don’t cause a nuisance to your neighbours.
  6. Trees and foliage blowing in the wind can trigger a PIR switched security lighting to come on.
  7. Locate security lights high enough for them to be out of reach from someone on the ground but not so high as to make changing bulbs a chore.

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