Something that you might have heard of recently is the wall pack light. Wall pack lights are super convenient types of lights designed for outdoor use, and they can serve a wide range of purposes.
Today, we are here to provide you with all of the information that you need to know about wall pack lights. We’ll talk about what they are, what they are most commonly used for, what the different types are, and so much more. By the end of this piece, you should be an expert on wall pack lighting.
Table of contents
What is a Wall Pack?
A wall pack or wall pack light is a special type of light designed for outdoor use. These are outdoor light fixtures that are mounted on the exteriors of buildings. They can be used for residential, industrial, and commercial purposes. The reason they are called wall pack lights is because they are attached to the walls of buildings. As you’ll see below, there are many purposes that wall pack lights can be used for, so let’s move on and figure out what these purposes are.
What is Wall Pack Lighting Used For?
Before we start talking about the different types of wall pack lights and how to choose the best ones for you, let’s talk about what these lights are used for in the first place.
Emergency Lighting
One of the main uses of wall pack lighting is for emergency purposes. Special emergency wall pack lights can be installed in pathways, buildings, and other locations where emergency lighting is needed. It can help light up an area to make it easier and safer to traverse in the event of a power outage or emergency. They come with battery backups so they still work when there is no power.
Garage Lighting
Wall pack lights are also a fantastic option for garage lighting. Regular lights often aren’t large or bright enough to illuminate a whole garage, making wall pack lights a fantastic option. Garages are often exposed to the elements as well, another reason why weather resistant wall pack lights are ideal for garage illumination. They can also be very bright, allowing you to see exactly what you’re doing in your garage.
Billboard Lighting
Yet another common use of wall pack lights is for billboard lighting. Billboards are advertisements, and they need to be seen in order to work and to drive revenue. Therefore, marketers use wall pack lights that are directed specifically towards billboards, to illuminate, so that passersby can see them no matter the time of day or night.
Parking Lots
Another super common use for wall pack lights is in parking lots. Parking lots can be absolutely massive, which means that it can require some very powerful lights to illuminate them. Moreover, parking lots can be dangerous places, with cars often being stolen and people assaulted. Wall pack lights help add a certain measure of safety for those in parking lots.
Pathways
Pathways need illumination too, especially during the nighttime. Compact outdoor wall pack lights are often used to illuminate pathways, to make them easier and safer to traverse.
Security Lights
Wall pack lights are often used for security purposes. They can be placed in industrial and commercial settings, to illuminate a specific area, whether a parking lot, entrance, or showroom. The point is to illuminate an area, with the goal being to deter criminals.
Public Spaces
Wall pack lights are often used in various public spaces for basic illumination and safety purposes.
Types of Wall Pack Lights
Important to note is that there are several different kinds of wall pack lights, and to choose the right one, you need to know what the differences between them are.
LED
LED wall pack lights are some of the most popular around. The reason for this is multi-faceted. First, LED lights are very energy efficient. They use considerably less power than most other bulb types, yet still put out a comparable amount of light, if not more. LED lights are also super durable and long lasting, often lasting for 50,000 hours or longer, not to mention that installation and maintenance are easy too.
MH
We then have metal halide lights, which are much brighter than regular LED lights. They are ideal for purposes that require very bright light, which makes them ideal for security purposes. Although MH wall pack lights are exceedingly bright, these bulbs don’t last as long as LED bulbs, not to mention that they are much less energy efficient as well.
CFL
CFL or compact fluorescent wall pack lights are yet another option at your disposal. CFL lights are more energy efficient than other types, such as MH and HPS, but still less so than LED lights. That said, CFL lights come in many different colors, which makes them ideal for ambient lighting in various settings. However, CFL lights still contain mercury, which means that they are not eco-friendly.
HPS
We then have HPS or high pressure sodium lights. These are known for having amber and warm light, which many people enjoy for basic and ambient lighting. These lights also tend top be fairly energy efficient.
Solar Powered
Some of the most popular wall pack lights at this time are solar powered. Of course, the reason why they are so popular is obvious, because they use solar power instead of electricity from your power grid, therefore saving you plenty of money in the long run. Solar powered lights are also very eco-friendly, and they are ideal for basic use. That said, they have performance issues when there is a lack of sunlight.
Fluorescent
Fluorescent wall pack lights used to be very popular, as they were regarded for their brightness and energy efficiency. However, LED wall packs are taking over as the new norm, as they are more efficient, brighter, and longer lasting too.
Induction
Induction lighting is very unique because it doesn’t have any filaments or electrodes, which means that they have excellent lifespans. These are some of the longest lasting wall pack lights around, making them ideal for long-term use. They are expensive, but the investment tends to pay off in the long run.
Halogen
We then have halogen lights, which are very white, bright, and ideal for illuminating specific features and areas. Due to their brightness, they are also ideal for security purposes. With that being said, their lifespans are not great, plus they produce a lot of heat and consume tons of energy.
Photocell
There are many different types of wall pack lights that can come equipped with photocells. These are special sensors that cause the light to automatically turn on and off according to outside light conditions. It’s a great option if you need something that is energy efficient.
Choosing the Right Wall Pack Lights
Let’s take a closer look at how you can choose the right wall pack lights for your needs.
Light Output
When choosing wall pack lights, make sure that they have more than enough light output for your needs, which is generally measured in lumens. If you can find wall pack lights that have at least 8,000 lumens of light power, then you are on the right track. Simply put, wall pack lights differ in brightness, and you’ll probably need something substantially brighter for security purposes than for basic illumination.
Power Consumption
Power consumption is another important factor to keep in mind here, because power is money. The more power a bulb uses, measured in watts, the more it will cost to operate. If you want to go for the most energy efficient options possible, either LED or solar are best. Now, LED lights are cheaper than solar lights, plus they are brighter and longer lasting, but solar lights don’t need to be wired, and can rely on solar energy alone.
Durability and Weatherproofing
Yet another important feature to look out for in wall pack light is how durable they are. These are designed for long term outdoor use, so they need to be built to last. Overy everything else, this means that the lights in question should be built with weatherproofing in mind. At the very least, a waterproof rating of IP65 is required, with even higher ratings being better. This is an especially important consideration if you happen to live in an area that sees a lot of poor weather.
Cost
Next, consider the cost of the wall pack lights in question. Generally speaking, you get what you pay for, and if you are willing to invest a little more money in the beginning, chances are that you’ll end up with something far higher in quality. What it really comes down to is that just like with anything else out there, price often correlates with quality, so if you want something that will perform as needed, making a higher initial investment is recommended.
Mounting and Maintenance
Always look for wall pack lights that are easy to mount. Some wall pack lights come pre-wired, so you can easily integrate them into your current electrical system. The only kind of wall pack light that does not need to be wired is the solar kind. That said, chances are fairly high that you’ll require professional installation.
Longevity
The longevity of the wall pack lights is also important. Generally speaking, if you want wall pack lights that will last for as long as possible, LED lights tend to be best, as you can get up to 50,000 hours out of a single LED light.
FAQ
Let’s answer some of the most frequently asked questions about wall pack lights.
Are Wall Pack Lights Just for Commercial Use?
Wall pack lights are most commonly reserved for commercial use, such as for illuminating entrances, storefront, billboards, parking lots, and pathways. However, you can also use wall pack lights for residential needs, such as for illuminating your garage, backyard, or driveway.
Are Photocell Wall Pack Lights Worth It?
Wall pack lights that come with photocells are expensive. However, they also automatically adjust their output, and automatically turn on and off, depending on outside light conditions. In the long run, this can help you save a great deal of money.
How Good Are Solar-Powered Wall Pack Lights Compared to Wired Lights?
Solar lights are great as far as energy efficiency is concerned. All you need is sunlight. Also, they are quite versatile as they do not need to be hooked up to a power source. However, they also aren’t nearly as bright as wired lights, and not nearly as reliable either.
What is a Wall Pack Light – Conclusion
At the end of the day, wall pack lights are great for residential and commercial use alike. Whether you need lighting for basic visibility or for security purposes, choosing the right wall pack light based on a number of factors is very important. Now that you know everything about wall pack lights, you can make an informed decision for yourself. Remember that VEVOR has some of the very best wall pack lights around!
