You know the drill – you’re out late at night, and suddenly the street light out leaves you in the dark. It’s not just unsettling, it’s a safety risk too. So, what can you do? Let’s walk you through some simple steps.
Step 1: Report the outage to your local council or power authority
It’s not always an emergency, but it does need to be dealt with. Report the issue to your local city or town, who’s usually in charge of these things. Check out their website or give them a call.
While it’s impossible to list the contact information for every single town and city in Australia, here are the details for some of the larger ones.
City | Council Name | Phone Number | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Sydney | City of Sydney | 13 20 50 | Report Here |
Melbourne | City of Melbourne | (03) 9658 9658 | Report Here |
Brisbane | Brisbane City Council | (07) 3403 8888 | Report Here |
Perth | City of Perth | (08) 9461 3333 | Report Here |
Adelaide | City of Adelaide | (08) 8203 7203 | Report Here |
Canberra | ACT Government (Access Canberra) | 13 22 81 | Report Here |
As mentioned before, always double-check these details on the respective websites to ensure accuracy. Your effort in reporting malfunctioning street lights that are not working is a big help in maintaining community safety.
If you’re not living in these cities, please search “[Your town/city] report broken street light” in a search engine like Google. You should find the relevant contact information on your local council’s website. Remember, it’s essential to report any broken or faulty street lights as it helps ensure the safety of everyone using the streets.
Step 2: Assess the situation (for owners of street lights)
Next, you turn into a bit of a detective. Try to figure out what’s causing the light outage:
- Burnt-out bulb: If you own the street light out, you could try replacing it yourself with the help of an electrician.
- Damage: If the light seems broken in any way, always leave it to the professionals.
Street lights in Australia, and indeed in most parts of the world, have transitioned over the years from older technologies to more efficient and longer-lasting lighting solutions. The types of bulbs that can be found in street lights include:
- High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) Bulbs: These bulbs were the most common type used in street lighting for many years due to their efficiency and long lifespan. They emit a yellow-orange light.
- Metal Halide Bulbs: These bulbs are more energy-efficient than HPS bulbs and produce a bright white light, which is often perceived as brighter by the human eye.
- Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs): LED lights are now the most common choice for new street light installations and replacements because they’re extremely energy-efficient, have a much longer lifespan, and produce a high-quality white light. LEDs also allow for greater control of the light distribution, which can help to reduce light pollution.
- Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs): While less common in street lighting, CFLs are sometimes used due to their efficiency and compact size.
- Induction Lamps: These are another energy-efficient option that’s been used in some street lighting applications. They have a very long lifespan and are especially good for cold climates.
Keep in mind that changing a street light bulb isn’t a typical DIY task due to the height of the lights and the electrical safety risks involved. This task should be left to local councils or a professional electrician. Always report a faulty street light out to the appropriate authorities.
Considering an upgrade? Go solar!
If you’re a property or business owner dealing with this issue, it might be time to consider switching to solar street lights or solar flood lights.
Benefits of solar street lights
Here’s why solar street lights are a game-changer:
- Energy-efficient: These lights harness the power of the sun, saving you money on energy bills.
- Eco-friendly: With no harmful emissions, you’re doing your part for Mother Earth.
- Low Maintenance: No need to fret about upkeep costs.
- Durable: They’re built tough to handle all kinds of weather.
- Easy to Install: No need for any high-tech know-how or digging trenches for cable!
We at Plusrite Australia have an impressive range of LED and solar street lights that are a breeze to install and maintain. With various mounting options, we’re confident you’ll find just the right fit.
Making the switch
If you’re keen on a safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly lighting solution, solar street lights might be your answer. Ready to make the switch? Give us a shout at Plusrite Australia. We’re all about lighting the way to a greener future and repairing street lights not working in the community.