Major Component: Lighting, Indoor and Out


Modern technology has caught up to home security lighting needs. In times past, a simple, low-cost timer might have been used to turn indoor lights on and off at selected times. Outdoor lights might be on a similar mechanism, but set at different times. Floodlights were common. But state-of-the-art home security lighting is much more sophisticated today.

Indoor lighting timers can now be connected to a PC and driven by software. That makes possible a much better simulation of real-life usage patterns. That helps create the illusion of someone being home, which helps deter burglars. They simply move on to an easier target.

But lighting placement and illumination levels are equally important. It's pointless to have a pattern of lights come on to simulate a homeowner sitting down to read if the lights display everything inside the house. Professionals will quickly discover that there is no one home not to mention providing a nice, clear display of all the items available on their 'menu'.

Outdoor lighting placement and illumination levels are essential as well. Floodlights do a great job of making certain areas bright as day. But that has two potential drawbacks: (1) it tends to obscure your ability to see other portions by shining in your eyes and (2) it creates deep shadows where thieves can hide.

When creating an outdoor lighting design intended to serve home security goals it's much more important to make the lighting even and at comfortable levels. Corners where bushes might obscure homebreakers should have only soft shadows that will still reveal people. Pathways alongside the house should be illuminated well, but not so brightly that they blind you when trying to see down them.

Energy costs can be kept to a minimum, too, by investing in lighting other than simple incandescent bulbs. Fluorescents used to be the only cost-effective substitute, but no longer. Today, a range of options is available.

Sodium-filled lamps, similar to those used in some street lighting systems are now in a price range that makes them a realistic option for homeowners. They provide a low-level illumination that's ideal for walkways and corners.

LED lights inside the house provide another very energy-efficient form of lighting. The bulbs are a much higher initial investment, with an average 100-watt equivalent running to as much as $10 or more. But, unlike incandescents which last a year or less, LED bulbs will last 10 years or longer.

They also provide a much more natural spectrum of light, so eye-strain is reduced. And, best of all for home security purposes, switching them off and on doesn't put any sort of strain on the interior parts. They don't burn out quicker in high use areas.

When designing a lighting system that will provide your home with increased protection against thieves, look to technology to help.