Because garages are now used for more than just parking cars, garage lights are in high demand. People use them for workshops, storage, and hobbies, so good lighting is important for safety and convenience. Improvements in energy-saving lights, such as LEDs, have also made garage lights more appealing. The brightness (lumens) you need depends on your garage’s size and how you use it. Here’s a simple guide to help you choose the right garage lighting
What are lumens?
A lumen measures the total amount of light we can see coming from a light source. It’s how we measure how bright a light is. Here’s a simple explanation:
- Definition:A lumen (lm) measures the light we can see from a light.
- Purpose:It helps us measure how bright a light is, so we can easily compare different lights.
Why Lumens Matter
Comparing Brightness: Lumens give us a simple way to compare how bright different lights are, no matter what kind of bulb they use (LED, old-style bulbs, etc.).
Saving Energy: Knowing the lumens helps us pick lights that use less energy. For example, LED bulbs give you more light (lumens) for the same amount of electricity (watts) compared to old-style bulbs, so they save you money.
Figuring Out How Much Light You Need for Your Garage
Step 1: Measure Your Garage
To find the area of your garage, multiply its length by its width.
Example: A typical two-car garage is 6 meter long and 5 meter wide:Area = 6m x 5m = 30 square meter
Step 2: How Much Light You Need Overall
General Lighting: To see well and stay safe, it’s usually recommended to have 300-500 lumens for every square meter .
Example: For a 30 square meter garage:Total Light Needed = 30 sq meter x 300-500 lumens/sq meter = 9000-15,000 lumens.
Step 3: How Much Light You Need for Projects
Project Lighting: If you have areas where you do detailed work, like a workbench, you’ll need brighter light, about 700 to 1000 lumens per square meter.
Example: For a workbench that’s 5 meter by 5 meter (25 square meter):Total Light Needed = 25 sq meter x 700-1000 lumens/sq meter = 17,500 to 2,5000 lumens
Tips for Picking the Best Garage Lights:
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- Fluorescent Lights
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- LED LIGHTS
Types of Lights
LED Lights: LEDs are the best choice because they save energy, last a long time, and give off bright, steady light.
Fluorescent Lights: These are also a decent option for general lighting, but they’re not as energy-efficient as LEDs.
Old-style Bulbs (Incandescent or Halogen): It’s best to avoid these because they use more energy and cost more to run.
What’s the wattage you need
LED Lights: Typically produce between 80-100 lm/W, best solar light high-efficiency LEDs can achieve 200 lm/W or even more in some cases.
Example:
Let’s say you need 15,000 lumens to your garage :
With LEDs at 100 lm/W: You would need a 150-watt LED bulb (15000 lumens / 100 lm/W = 150W).
Fluorescent Lights: Generally produce between 50-80 lm/W
Use the same example for your garage
With fluorescent lights at 60 lm/W: You would need a 250-watt bulb (15000 lumens / 60 lm/W = 250W).
How Many Lights You Need
Spread the total light (lumens) you need across several lights to light up your garage evenly.
- Example:If each LED light 50W, and you need 150W total, you’ll need 3 lights (150 ÷ 50 = 3).
or you can use the lumens to caculate
- Example: If each LED light gives off 5,000 lumens, and you need 15,000 lumens total, you’ll need 3 lights (15,000 ÷ 5,000 = 3).
Where to Put the Lights
Ceiling Lights: For general garage lighting, put lights on the ceiling, spaced evenly to cover the whole garage.
Project Lighting: Put extra lights directly above workbenches or other areas where you need focused light.
Extra Features
Adjustable Lights: Use lights that you can aim to direct the light where you need it most.
Lights You Can Dim: Consider lights that you can dim to change the brightness depending on what you’re doing.
Light Color
Choose a light color that you like:
Bright White (5000K-6500K): This is great for garages and work areas because it gives off bright, clear light.
Soft White (2700K-3000K): This is better for creating a cozy atmosphere if you want a warmer, more relaxing light.
Consider use solar energy light
Some older garages face high costs and complicated wiring when it comes to installing traditional lighting. Other garages might simply need additional brightness. In these situations, using solar floodlights as a lighting solution can be considered. These lights typically feature a separate solar panel and light head, connected by a several-meter-long wire. This design allows the solar panel to be placed outdoors where it can receive direct sunlight, while the light head is installed inside the garage for illumination. Since solar lights eliminate the need to worry about electricity costs, they are a very good option.
About how to choose the right solar light wattage ,can go to our this article “What wattage is a good solar light”
Summary
To get the right lighting in your garage, first figure out its size and then how much light (lumens) you need for general use and for specific tasks. Choose energy-saving LED lights, spread them out evenly, and think about adding adjustable or dimmable lights for the best results. This way, you’ll have a garage that’s well-lit, safe, and easy to use
Wanna know more about the lights?
There are many variations of passages of solar lights and LED lights
