I have done some research but am somewhat clueless. I was checking out solar floodlights and see that they tend to be 10 to 20 watts Quartz lights. That sounds like it could not light up a small bathroom. let alone a backyard?!? I have a large size backyard and want to put 2 sensored floodlights back there. I want to have decent lighting and keep the electric bill from skyrocketing. Can solar floodlights light well? Should I go with a halogen? Help please.
Originally posted 2009-03-30 09:38:20.
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The wattage does not determine the brightness, at least not directly. A 20 watt fluorescent bulb, for instance, will provide the same amount of light as a 60 watt incandescent. LED’s are low-wattage and CAN be reasonably bright. If you go solar, make sure you get the floods that have ONE light per collector, and you should be OK. The ones that have three lights that daisy-chain to one collector are pretty weak.
Halogen will consume a good bit of electricity, as it’s the same as a car headlight.
I would put halogens and use the 500 watt bulbs they will light your backyard up like day light. But they should be able to be switched off. The reason is if you are relaxing outside at night you don’t want them going off. Word of advice the more expensive fixtures are better. The one I got at Home Depot were $79 but there warrantied for life and heavy duty.
Get 2-3 175 watt mercury vapor, or metal halide, fixtures.