Preparing Your Alliance Outdoor Lighting System for Winter

Winter is a time of both quiet beauty and harsh conditions. For your home’s exterior, the cold, ice, and heavy snow can pose a serious threat to even the most robust outdoor lighting systems. If your landscape is illuminated by an Alliance Outdoor Lighting system, you've invested in quality and durability. However, even the best systems require a little proactive care to perform optimally and survive the season undamaged.

Taking the time now, before the first hard freeze, to properly winterize your Alliance lighting is the key to ensuring reliable safety, stunning aesthetics, and long-term performance. This guide will walk you through the essential steps for preparing your Alliance system for the long winter ahead.

Step 1: The Essential Inspection and Cleaning

The first step in winter prep is a thorough, detailed system check. You are looking for any vulnerability that moisture might exploit once temperatures drop.

Fixture and Lens Check

• Look for Cracks and Damage: Inspect every fixture, paying close attention to the seals where the lens meets the fixture body. Even a hairline crack can allow water penetration. If you spot damage, the fixture should be serviced or replaced immediately to prevent internal corrosion or short circuits.
• Clean the Lenses: Over the course of the year, dirt, dust, and mineral deposits accumulate on the lenses. This dulls the light output and strains the system. Turn off the power to the system at the transformer or breaker first. Use a soft cloth and a mild soap-and-water solution to gently clean the lenses and reflectors. Maximum brightness is crucial when daylight hours are scarce.
• Check Aim and Alignment: The summer growth of plants may have shifted the aim of your spotlights. With leaves falling, the light throw changes. Re-aim your fixtures to focus on the desired winter elements (architectural details, evergreen trees, etc.) and ensure light is not directed into windows, creating glare.

Wire and Stake Assessment

• Secure Exposed Wires: Freezing and thawing cycles (frost heave) and landscaping work often bring low-voltage wires closer to the surface. Exposed wires are highly vulnerable to damage from snow removal equipment. Gently rebury any exposed wire 4-6 inches deep to protect them. If you find any significant nicks or fraying, it is recommended to call a professional for a proper, waterproof repair.
• Tighten Mounts: Check the mounting stakes and bolts on all fixtures, including pathway lights and floodlights. Ensure they are secure against strong winter winds and potential ice buildup.

Step 2: Optimizing the Power Source

The heart of your Alliance system is the transformer. It needs to be protected and running efficiently to power your lights reliably through the cold.

Transformer Care

• Ensure Sealing and Security: Check the seal around the door of your Alliance transformer enclosure to make sure it’s watertight. The transformer should be securely mounted and kept clear of any debris or potential snow buildup.
• Verify Ventilation: Transformers generate a small amount of heat. Ensure that the transformer's ventilation slots are clear and unobstructed. Never cover the transformer with insulation, which can lead to overheating.
• Test GFCI Outlets: If your transformer is plugged into a Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet, push the "Test" button to ensure it trips and resets properly. This safety device is essential for protecting against electrical hazards in damp conditions.

Review Your Bulbs/LEDs

Alliance fixtures are known for their quality LED lamps and fixtures, but a quick check is always warranted.

• Replace Failing Lamps: Even the best LED lamps eventually fail. Immediately replace any lamps that are flickering, dimming, or have completely failed. A single failed lamp can slightly increase the voltage load on the remaining lights, potentially reducing their lifespan.
• Sealing: If you have any fixtures where the lamp is field-replaceable, ensure the lens and seal is properly seated when you close the fixture. This is the primary defense against moisture.

Step 3: Adjusting for the Changing Seasons

As the nights get longer, your lighting schedule must adapt to maximize safety and efficiency.

Reconfigure Timers and Photocell Sensors

• Update the Schedule: With the end of Daylight Saving Time, the sunset occurs much earlier. If your Alliance system uses a standard timer, you will need to reset the "ON" time accordingly. You want your paths and key security areas illuminated well before nightfall.
• Optimize Photocell Performance: If your system uses an Alliance photocell (a light sensor), ensure it is clean and not being blocked by any temporary structure, plant debris, or holiday decorations. A dirty or blocked sensor can cause lights to turn on too late or stay off entirely.
• Morning Illumination: Consider programming your lights to stay on longer in the morning, especially if household members leave before sunrise. Safety is paramount on icy steps and walkways.

Prioritize High-Risk Areas

Review your lighting design through a "winter safety" lens.

• Stairwells and Ramps: Ensure the illumination on all steps, ramps, and uneven changes in elevation is bright and uniform. You can’t afford shadows or dim spots on potentially icy surfaces.
• Key Security Zones: Confirm that motion sensors on any security lighting are properly aimed and sensitive enough to detect movement through falling snow or fog.

Step 4: Protection Against Snow, Ice, and Removal Equipment

This is where you proactively protect your system from the elements and the equipment used to manage them.

Mark Fixtures Near Snow Removal Paths

This is perhaps the simplest and most vital step to protect path lights:

• Use High-Visibility Markers: Place brightly colored fiberglass stakes or driveway markers near any fixtures located close to driveways, patios, or main walkways where snow removal will occur. This provides a highly visible warning to anyone operating a snow blower, plow, or even a shovel, preventing accidental damage to the fixture or the wire.

Gentle Snow Clearing

• Clear Blockages: Heavy, wet snow can fully bury and block the light output from your fixtures. Use a soft broom or brush to gently remove snow accumulation. Never use a metal shovel or kick the fixture, as the plastic or aluminum housing can be brittle in extreme cold.
• Avoid Salt Contact: Road salt and de-icing chemicals are highly corrosive and can damage the finish and housing of your fixtures over time. If your lighting is near an area that receives heavy salting, rinse the fixtures off with clean water after the winter season ends to remove any corrosive residue.

Invest in Longevity

By following these simple but critical winter prep steps, you are not just performing maintenance; you are safeguarding your investment. Your Alliance Outdoor Lighting system is designed for year-round performance, and a little proactive care ensures it stays secure, beautiful, and fully functional through the darkest months, ready to greet the spring thaw without costly and inconvenient repairs.