Do you want to make your garden lighting sustainable? Then you've come to the right place! Soft lighting at dusk puts a well-planned garden in the perfect light.
Unfortunately, this ideal scenario for many garden owners also consumes huge amounts of electricity - and harms the environment. Biodiversity in its own greenery. When it comes to sustainability, there is still great potential in the dark. Fortunately, it can be exploited with really simple measures.
In this article, I will therefore provide you with valuable tips on how to make your garden lighting as climate, animal and environmentally friendly as possible. Simply put them into practice one by one, save your wallet and support wildlife. Let's go!
1. understand the reasons
It's hard to get motivated to do something if you don't know why you should do it. The advantages of sustainable garden lighting are both financial and especially ecological nature.
You reduce your electricity bill and protect the climate (e.g. by using energy-efficient light sources). You also cause less Light pollutionso you provide real darkness during the night.
This comes at night Insects (e.g. butterflies, flies and moths), which are attracted to light and often buzz around it until they die of exhaustion.
The following also benefit Birds (e.g. robins or owls) from your distinctive Environmental awarenessThis is because they are able to orientate themselves by the alternation of light and dark and are therefore no longer confused. Migratory birds in particular often fly towards illuminated buildings and lose important energy or even die on impact.
Even Amphibians and fish are affected by artificial light smog. But we too People benefit themselves. We increase security in the garden, create a pleasant living atmosphere and can also significantly sleep betterwhen it is really dark.1
2. use LEDs
If light sources, then LEDs! You reduce power consumption by up to 65 percent compared to other lighting technologies.2
You also have to replace them less often. LEDs have by far the Longest service life up. They come an average of around 25,000 operating hourswhile conventional light bulbs only last around 1,000 hours in comparison.
3. use solar lighting
Whether indoors or outdoors, the electricity from your socket should of course be Green electricity be and just on renewable energies such as solar power.
If you want to produce climate-friendly electricity for your garden light yourself, then the use of solar lights is recommended for garden lighting. You use Photovoltaics as a power source. The solar cells are either integrated into the lamp or it is connected to a solar panel via a cable. So you can use your Targeted optimization of the CO2 footprint.
4. select outdoor lights with housing and shade
Housing and shade or indirect lighting counteract light pollution. They ensure that the light from your sustainable garden lighting does not shine into the night skywhere it benefits no one and even harms wildlife.
With a cover or reflective screen, you may even get the Same light output with lower wattageso that you once again Saves electricity.
5. direct the light downwards
Some garden owners illuminate entire treetops or flower beds and forget that it is the habitat of countless animal species that are irritated by artificial light in the garden.
So if you opt for adjustable garden lights, then set them up specifically on the ground and the pathsin other words, to where the light is actually needed. Of course, this advice on direction also applies to all other outdoor lights, which is why you should take it into account when making your purchase decision.
6. select warm white light
If possible, prefer garden lighting with a rather warm light with a Color temperature that does not exceed 3,000 Kelvin. Warm white LEDs attract insects less than short-wave cold-acting light in the blue or UV range. The latter not only stresses moths and beetles, but is also unpleasant for the human eye.
7. switch off the light at night
It's not just your wallet that will thank you if you turn on the light. does not burn all night! It is not needed in the dead of night.
Switching off is ultimately also the Ideal solution for wildlife in the garden and extends the life of the bulbs so that you can use them for longer, Environmentally friendly Conserve resources and the Save costs for new purchases.
8. install motion sensors and timers
Garden lighting is sustainable if the lamps are then tackle them when they are really needed. For example, when you come home - or if you want to deter potential burglars.
You can therefore connect your garden lamps - for example via WLAN - to Motion sensors connect. Sometimes the motion detectors are already installed. Set the motion sensitivity to a low level so that the light does not come on for nocturnal garden animals or passing cars.
Outdoor wall lights are also available with integrated timerso that you can switch your lights off automatically at 9.30 pm, for example. In the same way, classic Timers to manage the lighting time in the garden in an environmentally conscious way.
9. ensure permanently dark places
Do you want to strive for sustainable garden lighting? Then you also have the option of only illuminating certain areas. These are often the entrance area or the patio, for example. You can then use other areas as Dark resting places for birds and insects keep away from the light.
But please never illuminate the whole garden and bear in mind that the animals will probably see the light despite some dark corners.
10. use durable, weatherproof lamps
When buying garden lighting, make sure that it is as environmentally friendly production and the quality of the lamp yourself. The purchase may cost a little more. But the more durable and weatherproof the light is, the longer you'll get something out of it - and the more Save money in a sustainable way.
The lamp also lasts for many years and does not have to be disposed of so quickly, you also avoid electronic waste and protect the climate and the environment.
Tip: Environmentally friendly lighting is one of many ways to protect your own environment. Making the garden more sustainable. You can find out what else you can do in the linked article.
Protecting the environment and creating atmosphere with sustainable garden lighting
Sustainably designed garden lighting combines aesthetics and environmental protection in an ideal way.
With energy-efficient light sources, clever technology and conscious planning, you can not only save Promote biodiversity in your garden, but also Save electricity costs and your Reduce ecological footprint.
Every little step counts and makes you a shining example. And together with all the other hobby gardeners who do the same, we are making a tangible difference and can, among other things, help the Counteract insect mortality.
"Love is ever the beginning of knowledge as fire is of light."
Thomas Carlyle (more at Light quotes)
Do you have any questions, suggestions or other tips for garden lighting that is resource-efficient and animal-friendly? Then I look forward to your comment.
Stay sustainable,
PS: Have you heard about the Earth Hour heard? As soon as it gets dark, all participating people switch off their lights for an hour on this day. You can find out exactly why and why you should definitely take part in the linked blog post.
References:
- NABU (Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union) e. V.: When the night disappears Artificial light confuses birds and insects, available at https://www.nabu.de/tiere-und-pflanzen/insekten-und-spinnen/insektensterben/31282.html. [05.03.2025]. ↩︎
- P. Schmidt-Feneberg: Light and sustainability - LED saves up to 65 percent in energy costs (as of 13.09.2022), available at https://de.statista.com/infografik/28046/vergleich-led-vs-leuchtstoffroehre. [05.03.2025]. ↩︎
