Outdoor lighting will highlight the allure of your home in the darkest of nights. Lighting can also offer curb appeal and create security. Our outdoor lighting is a way of telling others our home is there, a unique method of linking us to the rest of the community. But, if outdoor lights have an issue, there are solutions. Don't forget; the most common explanation is usually the most likely one. Begin with the most uncomplicated solution first. Here are a few of the more likely causes of outdoor lighting failures:

Light bulbs

Outdoor lighting is safer and more economical than it's ever been. If outdoor light bulbs burn out, a smart homeowner will think about LED replacement bulbs, particularly with lights that are in hard to reach places or which burn consistently.

Other possibilities include the bulb set incorrectly in the socket, or even the outlet itself failing.

Regardless of what the homeowner wants, they're simple to change yourself. If the homeowner doesn't want to do it, or it's more than just the lightbulb, we can get those outdoor bulbs functioning again. We might also recommend repair if they're failing too quickly because they were improperly wired.

Short in a set

Many things can create bad connections, namely dry rot, overly vigorous landscape maintenance, moisture, rodent damage, and many others. Any of these issues can cause one, or even a set of outdoor lights to turn off. Begin with checking the circuit breaker box for that area. It would surprise you how frequently one of these can trip. We can correct and repair those problems so your house will light up once more.

Completely dark or dim

If every landscape light is out, it's best to troubleshoot from the very beginning: their power source. Examine the socket to see if it still functions. GFCI's will trip for many reasons, and will all ultimately leave you in the dark. Use another item on the socket to see if it's functioning. If you have a broken outlet, then it's time to give us a call.

• Check the transformer to ensure it's on. Then check each circuit breaker. If breakers trip, halfway between off and on, or have an indicator light that shows they're not working, reset them. 

• The photocell or timer could also be bad or broken. Check to see if the lights work without those. If they work, then it's the photocell or timer.

Other possibilities

Recalculate the wattage to ensure you're not exceeding the transformers' wattage

watts = amps x volts

Check your net voltage drop here.

https://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html

If you're still in the dark after trying these possible solutions, give us a call. Never let electrical problems cause your outdoor lighting to fail just when you need it most.

If you need a highly-reviewed, licensed electrician in the Phoenix Valley area, call Efficient Electric at 623-900-1461. We would love to hear from you!