Ah, the joys of Spring will finally make its grand appearance for 2023 on March 20, and in concert with this seasonal event is the long-awaited arrival of Daylight Saving Time once again on March 12.

Astronomical Timers For Charlotte, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, And Asheville

With astronomical timers from Carolina Landscape Lighting, you will never have to worry about whether your outdoor lighting system and landscape lighting system has turned on the lights regardless of whether Daylight Saving Time (DST) is in effect or not.

Our automatic timers adjust your outdoor lighting system on and off based on nature. This timer with astronomic functionality is so smart and efficient that it determines each day’s sunrise and sunset times based on geographic location.

Astronomical timers installed and serviced by Carolina Landscape Lighting function by having the timings of sunrise and sunset programmed in the timer itself, so a light sensor is not needed.

Unlike obsolete photocell and digital timers, an astronomical timer will adjust itself for Daylight Saving Time as it is extremely accurate. It uses your precise location to determine dusk and dawn times and then automatically adjusts for the beginning of Daylight Saving Time on March 12 this year, and every year thereafter, and will automatically adjust itself once again when Daylight Saving Time ends on November 5, 2023.

With An Astronomical Timer, If Your Landscape Lights Are Not Working, You Need Landscape Lighting System Maintenance

With regularly scheduled landscape lighting system maintenance from Carolina Landscape Lighting, your outdoor lighting system will provide you with endless years of safety, security, and beauty to highlight and protect your home.

But should you discover that all of a sudden your landscape lighting system is not working, it’s not your astronomical timer. Here are the common problem areas that could cause your landscape lights not to go on.

Problem #1: Lack Of Maintenance.

If your landscape lights don’t work, there has to be a good reason. Our light fixtures, LED light bulbs, transformers, and durable, heavy gauge wiring are all manufactured to our exacting standards for the highest dependability and performance. But like a regularly scheduled annual checkup with your primary care physician, annual maintenance will ensure that your low-voltage landscape lighting system will operate like new.

Problem #2: System Blockages.

Similar in spirit to why your Christmas tree lights won’t work, it may be as simple as there is a burned-out bulb in your system. While this may seem like a simple fix, always start by checking the bulb itself. Remember to turn off any electric current to the system before removing or replacing the bulb, especially when you’re working outdoors.

Incandescent and halogen lights burn out more regularly than LEDs, so consider making the switch to LEDs if you’re looking to cut down on time, money, and energy usage. It’s an affordable and significant home improvement.

Problem #3: Overgrowth Of Organic Matter And Plants.

A common occurrence of why landscape lights are not working the way they should is often because of what grows around them. Especially for a home with a regularly run irrigation system in the Carolinas, aggressive plant growth may very well be why your lighting effects are diminished or not working at all.

Problem #4: Yard Maintenance Mishaps.

It is easy for you or your landscaper to be distracted when cutting your lawn and edging your landscape beds. When this happens, it is easy for our team to make that diagnosis and remedy the problem quickly.

Problem #5: Rugged Outdoor Play.

With the National Football League season over for this year, some folks are just plain missing that pigskin action. As such, families may be encouraged to take it outside and recapture the fun by showcasing their athleticism. So when your brother trips over the front bushes when going deep to catch your nephew’s pass – well – that could explain it. Call us for the right fix because safety matters.

Problem #6: Your Transformer Isn’t Properly Accommodating The System.

The transformer to your outdoor lighting system has an individual power source and circuit breaker. Make sure the transformer is switched on; check its individual circuit breaker for a short.

Most systems – particularly low-voltage systems – plug into a GFCI outlet, short for a ground fault circuit interrupter. You’ll recognize these outlets as the ones with the two buttons between the plugs. A GFCI outlet cuts power in one-thirtieth of a second if it detects major changes in the current, protecting your system – and yourself – from surges and shocks.

Hit the reset button on your transformer outlet if it’s been tripped. If you find your transformer plugged into a non-GFCI outlet, make the change ASAP or speak with an electrician to install a new outdoor outlet.

Quite possibly if you have been adding landscape lights, your transformer may no longer be sufficient to accommodate the expanded system; and you might need a replacement.

Problem #7: Pets And Squirrels Digging Up Your Landscape.

If some of your outdoor visitors are burying bones or acorns in your landscaping beds, they may have inadvertently nicked a wire – or totally disconnected it from your system. Here, too, call our team of professionals to get your landscape lights back up and running.

When In Doubt, Call Us Out For A Service Call And System Sanity Check

If your system isn’t operating and looking as good as when it was first installed, we can remedy that.

That being said, you may also be interested in a complete overhaul of your outdoor lighting system. If so, you’ve come to the right place.

And remember, this is the perfect time of year to replace your old timer to ensure that your outdoor lights will be on when they need to be. Connect with us here for the next generation of automatic landscape lighting timing.