Pool Lighting and Ambiance

Most homeowners dream of having a pool in the backyard to take a dip in the sweltering heat of summer. Swimming pools are a high focal point for entertaining when you host family and friends for a barbeque or evening parties. While most of these events happen in the afternoon, it doesn't hurt to have the option to extend the party well after nightfall has descended.

The ability to take a swim at night or have a pool party after hours depends on having a state-of-the-art pool lighting system, so guests don't have to stop swimming once the night comes. Oak Wells Aquatics specializes in constructing full-service swimming pools for residential homes and businesses in Jacksonville, Florida.

Why Do I Need to Light My Swimming Pool?

Apart from the apparent reason for swimming after dark, investing in swimming pool lighting has many benefits. Having decent lighting helps you to know how far the bottom of the pool is, and this helps when young children or novice swimmers are involved. Also, a well-lit pool enables you to see if anything is lurking beneath the still waters such as a toy tossed in the pool.

Lighting also helps in identifying blue and green algae – that usually grows when maintenance has been lax – so you can tell if the pool needs another round of cleaning. If you are hosting people for a special holiday such as Independence Day, Labor Day, or other special occasions, you can change the pool lighting to match the particular themes.

What's more, having a backyard with a beautifully lit pool makes for great ambiance for entertaining friends and family. You can match the lighting with the surrounding landscaping ideas such as greenery, flowers, and shrubs in the backyard.

Pool Lighting Options

As seen above, many homeowners who are lucky enough to own a pool are keen to invest in pool lighting, and these come in many options as discussed below:

1. Solar Lighting

The talk about green energy has been going on for a while now, and this covers the kind of lighting we choose for the outdoors. Solar lighting does not consume too much power as it has the unique capability to recharge underwater when the sun is out. The solar light can last for roughly ten hours, and you don't require to tap into the electric grid or use a battery.

The International Property Maintenance prohibits homeowners from powering their property completely off the regular grid, but there are ways around this for the environmentally conscious people. Utility companies are now appreciating renewable sources of energy like solar as vital components of an increasingly diverse future when it comes to energy production. Net metering allows you to produce surplus energy than you require, and the power company credits this extra power that your solar system channels into the electric grid.

This move is the first of many that prove utility providers now recognize the immense opportunity in solar rather than perceiving these emerging technologies as competition aimed at undercutting their business. New solar fields are cropping up, and as Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), this renewable energy is now a mainstream source of power.

Despite the relatively slow uptake of solar power, more contractors in the Sunshine State are building homes that match the Florida Green Building Coalition regulations, and Babcock Ranch is a prime example. This 18,000-acre site is dedicated to erecting nearly 20,000 environmentally friendly houses, and construction is underway.

Florida is prone to storms and hurricanes that often result in power outages for days or weeks on end. Homeowners are turning to install rooftop solar panels and inverters so they can utilize solar energy while the grid connection is out of service. Such homeowners can power their appliances and resume normal activities as other people wait for the grid to be reconnected.

Attitudes are shifting from seeing renewable energy as a periphery indulgence for affluent environmentalists to an economically viable power source. As the movement for a green living takes root throughout the state, there is no reason why you shouldn't invest in solar lighting for your pool to bring down the electricity bill.

When you choose solar lighting for your pool, the light elevates and defines the majestic architectural elements and entire backyard. It establishes terrific focal points and shadows that make the pool even more noticeable at night. You can choose from an assortment of colors to see which one suits your exterior décor needs.

Other benefits of solar lighting include the ease of installation and durability. These lighting can last for many years without needing you to invest in new ones. Since they operate entirely on solar power, you don't have to worry about being disconnected from the regular grid when bad weather strikes. 

2. Incandescent Lights

This traditional lighting option remains a favorite for residential buildings, commercial spaces, and even street lighting. Incandescent lights ruled the market before Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) entered the market, and consumer perceptions changed radically. They produce light through the heating of a filament, and the result was light with a yellow shade, which was not very favorable on pools.

Incandescent bulbs could last for years, but since the manufacturing process was modified, users have to buy new bulbs at least twice per year. This constant switching of lamps is not only annoying but also expensive in the long run.

Incandescent lights are ideal for swimming pools that boast of a common theme, perhaps for homes that were built in a previous era and the owners wish to preserve them as such. Despite the murky appearance, incandescent lights are inexpensive to buy the individual parts, although setup process and the maintenance costs are pretty decent.

3. Halogen Lighting

Lighting technology continued to evolve, and halogen bulbs were the next best option to replace incandescent bulbs, and they boasted of an elongated lifespan than their predecessor. As well, this modern bulb – as it was known at the time – utilized an estimated 20% less energy, which was a welcome idea to keep bills low.

Nevertheless, halogen lighting still relied on the filament technology to light the bulb, which meant consumers had to endure the same yellow haze as they had with incandescent lights. The other fundamental difference between the two options was that halogen bulbs were much smaller, and the gas inside the bulb helped it function at higher temperatures.

These improvements meant paying double for halogen bulbs, and consumers had to do with that before a more advanced technology emerged.

4. LED Lights

If you are still contemplating on switching to green energy, LED lighting is yet another way to ensure you maximize the fun of owning a pool in a state that is well-endowed with sunshine.

This option is a little more expensive than other options such as incandescent lighting, but LEDs are more energy-efficient, which means the utility bills can remain at a manageable level. There is a rainbow of colors to select from depending on your decorating preferences and the sort of ambiance you seek. Some lights pair with apps and snap-on light filters that help in choosing the best options and changing them to suit the current mood.

The LED lighting is popular as it gives you high-tech visuals and control options that conventional methods can't deliver. LEDs are small, light-throwing semiconductors that don't have a filament as the case with traditional incandescent lamps. Electrical current is then transmitted using an inbuilt microchip to illuminate the LED system.

More so, these lights come with internal heat sinks to keep the temperatures low and improve their brightness, so the pool is beautifully lit at night. An LED pool light only consumes a small portion of energy to illuminate the pool, and this light lasts longer than incandescent light. The brighter lighting is ideal for promoting human safety for those inside the pool and around the pool area.

With these many benefits, having to spend more money in these lights make sense, not to mention they are energy-efficient as compared to incandescent lamps. If you already invested in other lights and wish to upgrade the pool with LEDs, you can try battery-operated versions that float around it. This temporary switch will give you time to determine if these benefits are worth investing in or not.

Ultimately, LED lights are an excellent investment that will transform your evening swimming experience to an even more enjoyable experience.

5. Fiber Optic Lighting

Fiber Optic lighting receives light from an illuminator box that is mounted on "dry area" and then a light bulb is mounted inside this space. Light pulses travel through a glass or plastic strand and make the pool appear like a beautiful shining sky. If you are looking for an enchanting nighttime swimming experience, fiber optics lighting is the best option.

We recommend investing in EasyPro Pond Fiber as it has longer cables to cover large spaces, and it is cheaper than other brands. An electric motor rotates the color wheel to allow for a change of color schemes to match the mood.

Top-quality fiber optic cables can transmit extra light by a whopping 200%, thus making them ideal for clients who want the best visual lighting outputs in the backyard. Fiber optic lighting costs an estimated $900–1500 and the bulbs cost $200–$300, and you will need to replace them every three to seven years depending on pool usage, and other factors.

Fiber optic lights are worth the investment, and what's more, there is no electric current in the water as all mechanisms happen inside the illuminator box at the ‘dry area,' thus making it even safer. If you are trying to make a statement, dress up your pool with fiber optic lighting this summer.

Factors To Consider When Investing in Pool Lighting

Apart from the need to entertain poolside well after dark, there are other factors homeowners need to consider when deciding to light the swimming pool:

1. Energy Efficiency

In this article, we have dedicated a section on solar lighting and the many benefits that come with embracing green energy. States like Florida have lagged on this front, but attitudes are changing so much that more homeowners are turning to solar energy to power their pools. Consider the cumulative costs of installation and maintenance in the coming years, and then pick the most feasible method.

2. Color of Pool Tile

The backdrop of your swimming pool matters a lot when it comes to selecting the colors to illuminate, regardless of what lighting option you choose.  Science dictates that lighter surfaces reflect light and darker surfaces tend to absorb it. Our lighting experts at Oak Wells Aquatics advise customers to look at several examples of pool lighting varieties before deciding on illumination that works for their pool.

3. Landscaping Choices

What sort of landscaping, if any, do you have in your backyard? If you have lush greenery everywhere and wish to transform the pool area, consider having lights that match these colors. The color blending will work exceptionally well with garden lighting that showcases the great landscape designs you chose for the yard and connecting it to the pool itself. Remember, bugs are naturally attracted to light, so consider having softer lighting around the deck area and on the pathways.

4. Diffused Lighting

It is preferred to invest in multiple light sources; each minimal producing power than having a central source that gives off harsh lighting. Have at least three or four lights illuminating the pool from different angles, and space out the light bulbs in the area surrounding the swimming pool. Apart from underwater fixtures and lighting the surrounding, consider having surface lighting and floodlights for better coverage.

Find the Best Pool Lighting Services Near Me

There are many ways to enhance the outlook of your home, and the swimming pool is a huge focal point. You want to use the pool without limitations of daylight so that the party can go on until later in the night. Transform your backyard this summer by investing in energy-efficient pool lighting that allows you to switch colors to suit your party themes.

Oak Wells Aquatics in Jacksonville has a wealth of experience constructing new pools and upgrading new ones, so the ambiance is up to your preferences. If you recently moved into a new home or wish to spruce up your old pool, don't hesitate to contact our Jacksonville pool contractor at 904-619-3281 for expert advice on the best lighting options for your swimming pool.