Security flood light causing pollution?

d0nkeyk0ng

So we had our security lights fitted. 20W LED ones front and back. The front one was fitted at a similar height to the next door neighbour. The rear one was fitted at the same place the previous (but nonfunctioning one was). Both look okay but I figured the back garden one was too dim. The old one was 150W halogen (approx 2400 lumens) compared to the current one (1800 lumens).

One of the neighbours diagonal and behind us came round to complain that it too bright and disturbing her son and that she had to buy black out curtains.

When the light was fitted, we angled it to ensure the garden was lit adequately (ie not pointed up at the sky). None of the other neighbours have complained. The company make no shields or hoods for it. I will try angling it further downward but am concerned it will compromise the reason we fitted it - if someone jumps over the fence, I'd like to be able to spot them. There have been a few break ins and car thefts locally. Quite a few neighbours have had security lights fitted front and back this year. Indeed, the neighbour also mentioned they'd been broken into a few years ago.

What can I do to ameliorate the issue?

Debbie_Savard

Don't rely on one super-bright light that in reality create huge shadows for burglars to hide in. Fit multiple 60W bulkhead lights that given even illumination without ruining night vision when you look at them.

Ant555

Neighbour at the back of us had a new LED fitted half way up their rear wall and when it comes on it lights up the gardens to the side and at the back of them as its so bright. -

Even though it looks like it points downwards, the lamp is so bright that it kind of lights up the back wall of the people opposite them (their kids bedrooms) and every time I see it, I think to myself that I would go round and ask them to adjust if it were my house.

Fortunately for me i'm off to the side and can only see it from the bathroom.

I wonder if you can wait till dark and adjust the light downward until you can see the edge of the illuminated area in your garden and them move it slowly up again to reach your boundary.

d0nkeyk0ng

Debbie_Savard wrote: »

Don't rely on one super-bright light that in reality create huge shadows for burglars to hide in. Fit multiple 60W bulkhead lights that given even illumination without ruining night vision when you look at them.

Thanks but the garden is small - about 8m wide and 15m long. I've removed most of the bushes so it should be easy to see if there's someone hiding.

Ant555 wrote: »

Even though it looks like it points downwards, the lamp is so bright that it kind of lights up the back wall of the people opposite them (their kids bedrooms) and every time I see it, I think to myself that I would go round and ask them to adjust if it were my house.

Fortunately for me i'm off to the side and can only see it from the bathroom.

That's the thing - the neighbour opposite hasn't said anything (maybe they don't have concerns, or don't wish to express them for some reason). It's the neighbour alongside them.

I'll have a look at adjusting it downwards but my concern is what if it's not sufficient?

Aylesbury_Duck

Replace it with a bulkhead lamp, as suggested.

Lizabeth21

If they’ve bought black out curtains aren’t they effective-surely that’s their problem solved?

glasgowdan

Our neighbour has also fitted stadium lights that light everything up. There's really no need at all for it, and they should point DOWN to illuminate your doors and windows.

EmmyLou30

We've had a spate of local break ins and two rear neighbours to us now have their gardens lit up like a football stadium....which also lights up our garden and house (gardens are about 12m long) to the point I could go out and do the gardening if I wished as it's like day light!

If I had children in the back bedrooms I would be complaining....but the rear rooms are my husbands man cave and the spare room and bathroom so doesn't actually bother us at night. It could be the neighbours who haven't complained are still affected, but not to the extent they've felt the need to complain.

d0nkeyk0ng

Well I had a look last night. Lowering the angle might be okay but what surprised me was what I saw. The wife turned on the taps to wash the dishes. Steam from the boiler flue wafted close to the sensor and triggered it.

I suspect this is what might be causing issues since if the light's only lit if there's someone in the backyard, it wouldn't come on very often.

Any suggestions? The security light and its PIR sensor are one unit, and the cable is integrated. So I can't separate sensor and light unless I replace both. Relocating the unit means an external junction box because of the integrated cable.

David_Aston

The neighbour directly behind us installed perhaps something similar a couple of years ago. It is a fact that when they come on if our lounge curtains are not drawn, the chimney breast in front of my tv viewing chair does come alive. I did ask him if he could give them a gentle downwards tap, which he said he had. Not really much better, although they don't in fact seem to come on as often now. If they do become a problem again I will ask him to come round when they are on, and see what he makes of it.
It absolutely isn't my responsibility to buy black out curtains in order to cope.

SplanK

d0nkeyk0ng wrote: »

Steam from the boiler flue wafted close to the sensor and triggered it.

I suspect this is what might be causing issues since if the light's only lit if there's someone in the backyard, it wouldn't come on very often.....

We had this issue with our last house. Its the heat difference that is being picked up.


I didnt fully solve it however I re-angled the PIR sensor so it avoided the vent, then covered part of the PIR in electrical tape. It still came on but at a reduced rate..... then sold the house 18 months later!