Have you ever wondered what can happen to landscape lighting if it gets hit by lightning? The short answer is, “Nothing good.”

On occasion, one of our customers will call and tell us that their property was hit by lightning. One lightning bolt alone can discharge up to one billion volts of electrical energy. To put this in practical terms, this is enough to power a 100-watt lightbulb for three months. That is why a lightning strike can light up the sky, even during the middle of the day.

What happens when lightning strikes?

This electrical discharge is not only powerful, it also generates a lot of heat. In fact, a lightning bolt can heat up the surrounding air by up to 30,000 degrees Celsius (54,000 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature is roughly five times hotter than the surface of the sun.

Besides striking a tree or house, lightning can also hit the ground. When it does, it may discharge into your landscape lighting system. Once that happens the damage begins. Current from lightning can travel through the wires and often will destroy the fixtures. Lightning can be a strange thing. Some fixtures can be burned badly and destroyed yet others in the system can be untouched.

Sometimes a lightning strike will not only destroy the fixtures above the ground but also damage the wire in the ground. If your outdoor lighting system was hit by lightning, you should assume that the wire has been compromised and will need to be replaced. In most cases, if your landscape lights were impacted by lightning, you should expect to replace them.

Besides damaging the fixtures, lightning can also impact your transformer. Sometimes the damage is minor, and the transformer only needs to have the circuit breaker reset. At other times the transformer can be severely damaged. This picture shows the damage done to a low voltage transformer after the system was struck by lightning. You can see that there is no repair to this transformer.

Is there something that can be done to protect your outdoor lighting system?

Some inline fuses may help, but if the surge is quite powerful it probably won’t make much difference. Enjoy your outdoor lights but know that lightning can strike at any time. Damage to your outdoor lights can be significant. When that happens, you’ll need to report it to the insurance company.

Luminocity can help bring the light back on after a storm. If your outdoor lighting isn’t working after one of our Indiana electrical storms, give us a call at 317-537-8055 . We’ll make the necessary repairs and replacement to give your home the illumination it deserves!

As the calendar begins to point to spring (we can’t vouch for the thermometer), it’s time to begin planning outdoor landscape upgrades. That 20-year-old juniper bush may still be evergreen, but it’s also starting to get reedy and disheveled, despite your attempts to prune it. When you introduce plants that add visual texture into your landscape, you create a scene that’s interesting and eye-pleasing. Want to go a step further? Luminocity inspired lighting can help you integrate your outdoor landscape into a lighting design destined to create its own illuminated artwork.

Let’s talk about some good foliage to consider when it’s time to get your hands in the dirt this spring.

It’s about the texture

When you’re planning your trip to the garden center, consider the texture of the plants you’re going to see. Plants typically come in three main textures: fine, coarse, and medium. Fine textured plants are the ones with thin, lightweight foliage. They might be ornamental grass plants, or they may have thin stems and fluffy leaves that create an interesting balance. Coarse textured plants are the ones with the large leaves or blossoms. They tend to grab your attention when you scan your yard. Medium textured plants fall somewhere in between. They aren’t overly large, but they’re not little and delicate either.

As a rule of thumb, you want to plan for 1/3 fine textures and 2/3 coarse and medium textures. But if you’re drawn to the fine textures, by all means, populate your landscape with them. It’s your home, after all.

Fine textured plants

The fun part about fine textured plants is that they give your garden or landscape a casual, fun feel. Their delicate silhouettes complement the bigger foliage and blossoms that threaten to steal the show. By adding these airier textures, you’ll get a sense of natural balance in your garden:

• Tall verbena
• Pretty sedge
• Fennel
• Baby’s breath

Coarse textured plants

Let’s talk about shadows. Coarse textured plants tend to create broad shadows, rather than the wispy shadows created by their fine textured counterparts. Think about painting with a broad brush – that’s what you’re doing with coarse textured plants. Many people think of tropical settings when they see coarse textured plants, thanks to their lush, oversized foliage and brilliant green hues:

• Hostas – especially big-leaf hostas
• Rhubarb
• Dutchman’s pipe
• Rhododendrons

Medium textured plants

Somewhere between fine and coarse, medium textured plants work to link the different sizes and textures in your landscape. They can also add elements of color and whimsy to the outdoor setting:

• Impatiens
• Daisies
• Viburnum
• Camellias

Bringing in the light

Outdoor lighting adds additional elements of depth and value to your landscape. Sure, a few solar-powered lights from the hardware store can illuminate the garden and cast shadows. But an experienced outdoor lighting professional can design outdoor lighting that creates its own artwork among the plants you so carefully selected. Using a combination of uplighting and downlighting, the lighting professionals at Luminocity can intentionally draw the eye to various areas in your landscape design and create depth and highlights, helping your home stand out during the day and at night as well.

Are you ready to update your outdoors this spring? Finish your landscape revival with outdoor lighting from Luminocity. Call us at 317-537-8055 for a quote or reach out to us here to start a conversation.

Outdoor lighting is personal. It adds beauty, safety and security to your home. Although you may want to tackle this project on your own, it’s best to hire a professional outdoor lighting company for the best results. As Central Indiana’s go-to outdoor lighting expert, we know illumination. From spotlights, floodlights and downlights to path lights, well lights, deck lights ⁠and everything in between … Luminocity brings you the exterior appearance, high quality and value you need to beautify your home. Here are five reasons why you should choose a professional outdoor lighting company over DIY for your next outdoor lighting project. 

High-quality fixtures

The right fixtures are essential to an awesome lighting effect. At Luminocity, we design high-quality lighting systems that are built to last. Each lighting fixture has a specific task, and we select the appropriate ones based on your desired lighting effect. High-quality and durable fixtures are a huge indicator of why you should choose a professional company to install your outdoor lighting system. When you hire a professional, there is no compromise on quality. 

Masterful design when you hire a professional

Every home is unique, and it is important to hire a professional to reflect your tastes in the design. While some lighting jobs are straightforward, others require a great deal of planning and teamwork. At Luminocity, we work with you to create a custom exterior solution that will beautify your home and landscape. We achieve masterful designs by knowing what type of fixture is best suited for each task, what lighting effect is desired, and where the fixture should be placed to attain the desired effect.

Safe and proper installation

Installing lighting fixtures by yourself can be dangerous. Our team is highly trained in proper installation and handling of the necessary voltage for lighting systems. In fact, Luminocity is home to two of only five Certified Low Voltage Lighting Technicians (CLVLT) in Indiana, as well as the only Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer (COLD). Don’t take the risk. Make sure that your outdoor lighting installation (including proper voltage) is done correctly when you hire a professional.

Annual maintenance plans

A professional lighting company can help to keep your system operating at peak efficiency month after month. At Luminocity, we offer an Annual Maintenance Plan (AMP) in which we inspect and clean each fixture, bury any exposed wire and trim bushes to achieve an optimal lighting effect. We check the timing system of your lights and reset them as needed. With our AMP, we replace all bulbs with fresh ones and take care of minor services needs for no extra charge.

An ongoing partnership

Working with a professional lighting expert will be your best choice to achieve the look you want for your home – year after year. Like any system, landscape lighting needs some help from time to time. Whether it has been a long time since your system was shining brightly or it’s due for annual service, we can handle your needs. When you hire a professional at Luminocity, we service all systems, not just the ones that we installed. 

Luminocity has been serving Central Indiana since 2010 with hundreds of installations under our belt, and more importantly, hundreds of happy customers. When it comes to outdoor lighting, there is nothing like the look you get when you hire a professional. Want to get started on your next outdoor lighting masterpiece? Give us a call at (317) 537-8055 or fill out the contact form on our website.

Spring is here and it’s time to upgrade your outdoor living space for warmer weather. One way to really enhance the look of your landscaping is with a professional outdoor lighting design from the experts at Luminocity in Noblesville. Our Central Indiana customers appreciate the professionalism, custom service and attention to detail that we bring to every installation. With more than 10 years of experience, you’ll know that you can trust the professionals at Luminocity for your next outdoor lighting installation. 

A Professional to Listen to Your Needs

Every design begins with a customer consultation to discuss the needs of your family. We know that lighting is personal. We will take into careful consideration which features of your home and landscaping should be accented and which areas should remain dark. We will ensure that your home is properly bathed in light for beauty and safety, while also keeping that lighting from interfering with life in the home

Custom Lighting Design Just for Your Home

Each project is different with different requirements, and we will select the fixtures and lighting options for your home based upon the desired lighting effect. For example, fixtures placed near passage areas often require filters to help minimize glare and maintain proper illumination. Knowing the effects of shadows and how to either enhance or draw attention away from certain parts of your landscaping are key elements of lighting design that only a professional can assist with. 

Professional Level Quality Fixtures

At Luminocity, it is our philosophy to only use professional-level durable fixtures and bulbs. There is no compromise for quality when you work with our lighting experts. Each fixture has a specific task and each one is made to last. We always design and intend for our outdoor lighting systems to work for a long time, in order to extend your time outdoors and to highlight the natural architectural beauty of your home.

Education from our Professional Association

You can always rest easy knowing that the Luminocity team receives training from our industry’s leading manufacturers, as well as with the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals. We make every effort to stay current with the latest innovations in outdoor lighting and educate ourselves alongside lighting professionals from across the United States. 

Ongoing Annual Maintenance

Once you’ve had a professional lighting design installed, chances are you’ll want to keep it working at peak efficiency all year long. You can do this by joining the Annual Maintenance Plan (AMP) from Luminocity. As your best value for regular maintenance, an AMP includes an inspection and cleaning of each fixture, burying any exposed wire, trimming bushes for optimal lighting effect, as well as a reset of your timing system if needed. Joining the AMP also means that you will not be charged for any bulbs that burn out within the next 12 months, as well as any minor service needs (such as a cut wire). 

If you are ready to work with the professionals on your outdoor lighting installation this spring, contact our office today at (317) 448-0863 or online. 

One question that customers frequently ask us is whether adding outdoor lighting to their house will increase its value and reduce their house’s time on the market. After doing some research, it is clear that outdoor lighting does add value to your home, especially when it is coupled with well-done landscaping.

Judith Patriski, an appraiser and owner of Quad Realty Company. near Cleveland, Ohio strongly believes that good lighting adds value to homes. In an article by the National Association of Realtors, she estimates that for upper-bracket homes investing in outdoor lighting can yield a 50% return. Much of this return stems from the significant curb appeal that outdoor lighting gives your home. Guests and prospective buyers may see your house for the first time after dark, and a well-lit house offers a warm and inviting welcome. Patriski writes, “When you pull into a driveway and see a gorgeous home, you’re going to pay more for it.”

A strong majority of home buyers say that they specifically look for outdoor lighting in a prospective house. In the National Association of Home Builders’ annual survey “What Home Buyers Really Want”, 41% of people rated outdoor lighting as “essential” and 49% rated it as “desirable.” Altogether, 90% of survey respondents believed that outdoor lighting was important. The National Association of Realtors agrees and praises the many tangible benefits of outdoor lighting, including that it protects against slips and falls, accentuates the good features of your house, and welcomes guests by highlighting the front door. Prospective buyers value these benefits and actively seek out houses with outdoor lighting.

Outdoor landscape lighting works best hand-in-hand with excellent landscaping. Good landscaping can add as much as 28% to the value of your home as well as reducing the time that your house spends on the market by 10-15%. However, landscaping must be seen in order to increase your house’s value, and prospective buyers may see your house for the first time at night. Luminocity has many years of experience installing outdoor lighting that highlights key features of your yard, including trees, bushes, fountains, and pathways. A well-illuminated yard allows prospective buyers to appreciate your landscaping even when they view your house at night, adding to its curb appeal and ensuring that they return later for a second look.

Outdoor lighting also highlights the best architectural features of your house. It can illuminate your front porch with a soft glow or highlight the stately columns of your grand entrance. In addition to adding to your house’s nighttime beauty, outdoor lighting can simultaneously make your property a more difficult target for intruders. Outdoor lighting eliminates areas of deep shadow in your yard, reducing the likelihood that your house will be invaded. Some insurance companies give 5%-15% discounts to homeowners who have reduced or zero claims, further adding to the value of your outdoor lighting.

Whether you are entertaining dinnertime guests or showing your home to prospective buyers, a well-lit home offers an inviting and warm welcome. It increases a home’s curb appeal and highlights your home’s special features, ensuring that other people appreciate your home just as much as you do. If you are interested in increasing the value of your home and increasing its attractiveness to guests and prospective purchasers, contact us today for a free estimate.

Last week after a rain storm I found that our basement had flooded. We have lived in our home for 15 years and this was the first time we have had any significant water problems. After we hauled up all the boxes from the basement and sucked up what water we could, it was time to figure out how to restore our finished basement.

I am the type of person that likes to do things myself. “Why would I hire someone if I can do it myself” is something I have often said. A contractor friend suggested that I pull up the carpet and use a fan to dry it. As I thought about fixing things on my own, it didn’t take long to realize that I needed professional help. The question was who to hire.

I was concerned about not only getting the basement dried out, but making sure that we wouldn’t have mold problems. I wanted a contractor who would respect our property, offer a fair price and do a good job. This was uncharted territory for us, and I didn’t want to make a mistake.

After a search through an Angie’s List booklet I called a contractor. After I finished the call, I wondered who would be coming, would the representative be professional? Would he or she know their business? Would they be arrogant? Would we feel comfortable trusting our home to a person we were about to meet? How much was this going to cost? Price was important but having a great job was paramount. I was going to live with the results of their work for years.

When Tom arrived, he introduced himself and his company. He assessed the work and gave us a proposal. It seemed expensive. I reminded myself that I want the job done right, and the plan he outlined seemed like they knew what to do. After reviewing the proposal, talking with my wife and looking at our wet basement, I called Tom back and said we wanted to hire them.

Once we gave them the go ahead, their team came and went right to work. They were professionals. They were polite and efficient. I soon realized that having the pros do the work was the right choice. If I had tried to do the work myself, I likely would have missed some important steps and it would have been a disaster. Our basement would likely still be damp with mold growing. Instead, it is dry and usable.

I have reflected over this experience. I have been reminded of what it is like to need a professional’s services and the questions that a homeowner has. While I could have invested plenty of time and energy in trying to fix the problem on my own I wouldn’t have had the results I wanted.

Luminocity is a company that is an expert at outdoor lighting. Just like the team that restored my home, we are professionals. We treat homeowners and their home with respect. We always see ourselves as guests at the customer’s home. We will do a much better job of installing and maintaining landscape lights than if the homeowner tried to do it themselves. Our goal has always been to have the experience with Luminocity to be so special that the customer will be glad they called and would gladly refer us to a friend. My experience with a flooded basement reminded me of what it is like to be a customer … and that we are on the right track.