When it comes to what humanity constructs there is one constant and that is that nature will destroy it eventually. It is inevitable. Nature will reclaim our roads and destroy our buildings until no vestige of humanity remains. We are fighting a losing battle but the effects of nature can be mitigated. For anyone with an outdoor lighting system that is exposed to the elements nature presents a clear and present danger to your system. So, what can nature do to your system and how can you mitigate it?
Temperature
It can get hot on Long Island in the summer. It can get cold on Long Island in the winter. You know that. From bone chillingly cold temperatures in the single digits in January to sweltering heat in the mid and upper-90s in July Long Island sees it all and your outdoor lighting system is exposed to it all. It is not able to turn on the air conditioning or go to the beach to cool off.
Your lighting system works best in moderate temperatures, that is between 50 and 80 degrees. To help protect your system as little of it should be exposed to the elements as possible and any light fixture should be protected by using some sort of casing around the light bulb. Leaving modern LED bulbs exposed to extreme temperatures can take their lifespan from over a decade to only a year. By adding protecting casing it can mitigate much of the damage that extreme temperatures can bring.
Wind, Rain and Snow
Of course nature throws more at your lighting system than just extreme temperatures. We see plenty of wind, rain and snow on Long Island as well. Wind can knock down fixtures or knock down other things that will damage fixtures like tree limbs, rain and moisture is the enemy of electricity. Snow can pile up crushing anything under its weight before it melts away.
A professional installation is the key to avoid damage here. The pros know what fixtures are waterproof and which aren’t and how best to protect the lighting fixtures by covering or sheltering them from the elements. They will also make sure that the right fixtures are used, that is installing UL Wet Rated equipment and waterproof the system as much as possible. Professional installers can also provide regular maintenance to the system so that any issue can be corrected before it becomes a major problem.
Animals
The animal kingdom can cause a great deal of problems for your outdoor lighting system. While most will leave it alone you never know when a squirrel will decide that a power line looks like a tasty treat, a bird will nest around it and there are the little guys like ants.
Ants love electricity and will be right at home making a nest in your equipment and chewing through the wiring. There are millions of them too it seems. You will be fighting a losing battle should they get into your system so the best way to overcome this is to prevent them from getting in in the first place. A professional installer will be able to ant-proof or insect-proof your system to keep those little buggers out so your system will work and your investment will be protected. Regular maintenance can also ensure that it stays this way as well.
Professional Installation and Proper Maintenance
The best way to get the most out of your outdoor lighting system is to have it installed by a professional service like Resort Lighting and to have a service agreement with that company. That will ensure that the system is installed properly and with the right equipment and it will continue to operate through its lifespan. Don’t let an ant or a rain shower break your investment. Trust a pro to do the work and if you are on Long Island, New York trust Resort Lighting. Give us a call at 631-283-5562 or email us at info@resortlightinginc.com today!