How to Install a Pool Light Safely and Efficiently
By Clark Rubber | 17th October, 2019
Are you installing pool lights for the first time, or do your old lights need an upgrade? Modern energy-efficient pool lights not only brighten your outdoor space but also help reduce ongoing electricity costs.
Pool lighting helps to keep your family and friends safe around your pool. Because electricity and water are high-risk, installing pool lights should always be handled by a licensed professional.
Why do you need pool lights?
The most important reason to install pool lights is to improve safety around your pool, especially at night. Proper lighting reduces the risk of slips, falls, and accidental entry into the pool. Always supervise children even when lighting is adequate. Even with good lighting in place, children should never be allowed in or around a pool without supervision.
As well as safety, pool lighting has aesthetic benefits. Warm lighting can create a relaxing evening ambience, while coloured lighting sequences can transform your pool into a feature attraction. If you have a spa pool, the right lighting can enhance the therapeutic experience. Your pool lights can also extend to other areas of the garden to create whatever mood you want.
What types of pool lights are there?
Pool lights can be installed flush with the pool wall or protruding. Flush lights look modern but may require more units. Surface-mounted lights are brighter and easier to maintain.
With incandescent bulbs no longer on sale in Australia, today's pool owners have a choice between LED lights or halogens
LED pool lights are the more economical option, being 3 to 5 times more energy efficient than halogen bulbs and lasting 10 times as long on average (50,000 hours). They're also available in a wider variety of colours, including colour changing sequences, to make it easier to set the right tone in and around your pool.
Halogen lights may be less efficient, but they have the advantage of brightness. Their more intense light illuminates pools and surrounds more clearly, with the downside that these bulbs also produce significant heat that can melt the seals over time. This means they may have to be replaced each year.
How many lights do you need?
The number of lights you need depends on several factors. The main one is the size of your pool. For an average 8.5m x 4.5m pool, expect to use around 200 watts total - roughly X number of LED fixtures depending on brightness.
A lighter-coloured pool will reflect more light and needs less illumination than a darker pool. If your pool has an irregular shape with curves or corners tucked out of sight, these may require separate lighting.
Can I install a pool light myself?
Under the Electrical Safety Regulation of 2002, only licensed electricians are legally allowed to install pool lights due to the high risk of electrocution. Working with electricity around water is a major safety hazard that requires training and experience.
You should also check that the pool lights you buy are manufactured in compliance with Australian Standards.
How much is a pool light?
LED fixtures typically range from $150–$600 depending on features, while halogens are cheaper upfront but cost more to run. If you're buying a pool for the first time, check whether lights and other essentials are already included in the pool package.
For a wide range of summertime pools, equipment and accessories, search Clark Rubber's online catalogue or find your nearest store.
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