Winter in Boston is no joke, and it’s one of the times of year you need your outdoor lighting the most. Dark settles in much earlier during the winter, and suddenly your walkway turns into a maze as you try and figure out where to take your next step. Illuminating your home’s exterior helps reduce the risk of injury, while also providing your home with some added security.
Keep your exterior lights shining bright all winter long with these tips from our service department.
1) Keep Your Lenses Clean
The light from a fixture may be dimmed or entirely blocked by mineral deposits, dirt, or debris. This problem can be exacerbated in the winter as ice and snow can block or cover lenses.
How to clean your exterior light lenses:
While halogen bulbs produce heat that may melt some of the snow, LED bulbs are significantly cooler. If ice remains on the lenses, remove it gently with a brush or scraper and use a microfiber cloth and lens cleaner to keep them clean.
2) Check for Exposed Wires
As the ground freezes and thaws, wires can work their way to the surface. Wires that are exposed need to be inspected and reburied before the ground freezes.
Damaged wires or exposed copper are clear indications they need repair. Don’t attempt to fix them yourself. At Klostermann Electric we’re happy to assist you with this aspect of winter maintenance.
3) Adjust Your Exterior Fixtures
Over time, your exterior fixtures may become out of alignment or damaged by landscaping, snow removal, or the wind. You should periodically walk through your property to re-align any crooked fixtures, and be extra careful when removing snow near fixtures.
4) Check the Bulbs
If your outdoor bulbs are exposed to extreme temperatures, like those in the Merrimack Valley and the Greater Boston area, their life can be shortened. The bulbs in low-voltage systems draw a very small amount of voltage, so you must replace any that have burned out as soon as possible. In the event of a burned out bulb, nearby bulbs receive more voltage, thus shortening their lifespan.
Have a Klostermann Electric service technician visit your property at least once a year to check and replace faulty bulbs, cleanse lenses, reposition fixtures, and conduct a thorough performance check to ensure your lights keep shining bright year after year.
5) Check for Moisture-Related Problems
Because Merrimack Valley and the Greater Boston area are so close to the ocean, we see a great deal of ice and snow-related system outlet issues. These include melting causing your GFCI outlet to trip. If this happens, push the “reset” button on the outlet, and ensure that the cover is closed.
Always use caution when working with electricity. Never stick anything into a socket, and be very careful when working with hand tools such as screwdrivers. In some cases, all an outlet needs is to be reset and closed properly; however, if the cover is damaged, you’ll need to replace it.
You may need to contact a licensed electrician if the outlet looks damaged or will not reset.
Call Today
If you live in the Merrimack Valley or Greater Boston area and need commercial or residential electric services, then Klostermann Electric should be your go-to. To find out more about our exterior lighting services contact our team at (978) 589-9500 or fill in our online contact form.