Home Lighting

How many exterior lights do you have around your home or property? Are you sure? Have you carefully considered each fixture’s need, function, or design? Are you minimizing light pollution in your own backyard? If not, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, much of our outdoor residential lighting is inefficient, poorly installed, or altogether unnecessary.

These misguided lighting practices contribute to light pollution, which can disrupt wildlife, impact human health, and waste money and energy. As of 2018, the average American wastes 41-103 pounds of CO2 per year on excessive residential outdoor lighting alone (1). Across the country, this amounts to at least $1.4 to $3.5 billion wasted each year, unnecessarily lighting the dark around our homes. Our analysis also indicates that these numbers may grow as Americans are likely consuming more exterior lighting than ever before (2).

Here’s the bright side: Light pollution is completely reversible.

DARK SKIES START AT HOME

Want to protect the night from light pollution? Get started in your own backyard (or front porch, walkway, bedroom window, rooftop – anywhere!)

Follow this step-by-step guide to conduct an outdoor lighting assessment around your house, apartment building, property line, business, community center, wherever, to evaluate the impact of your light on the night. After you’ve completed the steps to make your home dark sky friendly, you can download and display a Dark Sky Friendly Home Certificate!

BASIC LIGHTING PRINCIPLES

With the responsible lighting practices, it is possible to reduce light pollution and create a beautiful, healthy, and safe lit environment where you live and work. Let’s learn the basics and put them to work.

Five Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting





Even the simplest actions can make a big difference.

DID YOU KNOW? 20% – 50% of outdoor residential lighting is lost to the night sky, due to poor shielding alone (3).

FINDING DARK SKY FRIENDLY LIGHTING

Did you know? IDA works with lighting manufacturers and home retail stores so that you can easily source IDA-approved Dark Sky Friendly lighting. View IDA-approved residential lighting solutions.

WHAT ABOUT…

…MY NEIGHBOR’S LIGHTING?

So you’ve addressed all your problem lighting, but what about the lighting that is beyond your control? Maybe your neighbor’s lighting is shining in your bedroom window, or your landlord or property manager needs to make changes. Check out these tips for working with your neighbor’s lighting.

…MY SAFETY?

It’s important that your property is safe and responsibly lit to protect you from potential hazards, support wayfinding, or deter potential crime. But brighter does not equal safer. In fact, too much lighting can have the opposite effect. Learn more about lighting, crime and safety.

…MY STREETLIGHTS?

Estimates suggest that on average street lighting accounts for about 50% of a city’s total light emissions (4). Learn what you can do about streetlights in your community.

I’VE ADDRESSED THE ISSUE AT HOME, NOW WHAT?

Ready for the next step? Learn what you can do to take action today for a better night tomorrow. The universe will thank you.