Villa Palazzo Driveway Lighting Project: Transition from HPS to 2200K LED with Commercial LED Wall Pack Lights

• Title: Villa Palazzo Driveway Lighting Upgrade
• Location: Sacramento, CA
• Client: Villa Palazzo HOA
• Objective: Replace outdated HPS fixtures with energy-efficient commercial LED wall pack lights to improve visibility, enhance safety, and preserve the neighborhood’s cohesive aesthetic.

The Villa Palazzo HOA, led by President Marilyn Day, initiated the lighting upgrade by identifying critical issues with their outdated high-pressure sodium (HPS) fixtures. Residents frequently reported difficulties navigating the poorly lit driveways, with uneven illumination and dark spots creating safety concerns. The harsh glare from the old fixtures further compromised visibility, making the existing setup both ineffective and aesthetically unappealing.

Access Fixtures worked closely with the HOA to conduct a thorough site assessment, identifying problem areas and measuring light levels to establish a baseline for improvement. During multiple consultations, the following challenges were addressed:

• Uneven Lighting: The outdated HPS fixtures left large areas of the driveways poorly lit, making navigation difficult and unsafe.
• Excessive Glare: Harsh light created discomfort for residents and hindered visibility for security personnel.
• Energy Inefficiency: The HPS system consumed excessive energy and required frequent maintenance, increasing operational costs.

The HOA emphasized the need for an energy-efficient solution that complemented the neighborhood’s architectural style. Access Fixtures proposed APTO commercial LED wall pack lights, highlighting their 2200K warm light output, energy-saving capabilities, and adherence to dark-sky compliance standards. Photometric analyses were reviewed in detail, ensuring the proposed solution would meet the HOA’s goals for safety, visibility, and aesthetic appeal.

To ensure the proposed lighting solution would effectively address the Villa Palazzo HOA’s concerns, detailed photometric analyses were conducted for both APTO 20 and APTO 30 LED wall pack fixtures. These analyses provided precise data on how each fixture would perform, allowing the team to evaluate their suitability for the driveways.

• APTO 20 Results: Operating at 22.8 watts, the APTO 20 fixtures achieved an average illuminance of 1.12 footcandles. These fixtures provided energy-efficient, evenly distributed lighting that was ideal for residential driveways.
• APTO 30 Results: Operating at 32.8 watts, the APTO 30 fixtures delivered an average illuminance of 1.61 footcandles. Their higher brightness made them suitable for wider or higher-demand areas.
• Type IV Optics: Both fixture types utilized Type IV optics to ensure optimal light distribution, effectively eliminating dark spots and glare along the driveways.
• Dark-Sky Compliance: The analysis confirmed that both fixtures adhered to dark-sky compliance standards, minimizing upward light emissions and reducing light pollution.

Based on these results, the APTO 20 fixtures were selected as the final choice for the project. Their optimal balance of energy efficiency, illumination levels, and performance aligned perfectly with the HOA’s goals for safety, visibility, and sustainability. The photometric data was used to refine the layout, ensuring uniform lighting across the 130-foot driveways while maintaining a warm, inviting aesthetic.

The design process for the Villa Palazzo Driveway Lighting Project was tailored to meet the unique needs of the community. The APTO commercial LED wall pack lights were chosen for their ability to balance functionality, aesthetics, and environmental considerations. The following features were central to the customization:

• Kelvin: A 2200K color temperature was selected to provide a warm, inviting glow that complemented the community’s character.
• Optics: Type IV optics ensured even light distribution along the 130-foot driveways, eliminating dark spots and minimizing glare.
• Mounting: Fixtures were installed at an optimal height of 8 feet to maximize coverage while preventing light trespass onto adjacent properties.
• Finish: A bronze finish was chosen to blend seamlessly with the neighborhood’s architectural style and enhance visual harmony.

Throughout the customization process, the HOA played an active role in decision-making, ensuring that the final design addressed their practical and aesthetic requirements. Environmental considerations, including dark-sky compliance and reduced light pollution, were prioritized to meet both functional and sustainability goals. By prioritizing energy efficiency and uniform illumination, the APTO 20 fixtures provided an ideal solution for Villa Palazzo, addressing all functional and aesthetic requirements.

The implementation of the Villa Palazzo Driveway Lighting Project was executed with meticulous planning to ensure a seamless transition from outdated high-pressure sodium (HPS) fixtures to advanced 2200K LED wall pack lights. Access Fixtures coordinated closely with the HOA to minimize disruption to residents and maintain accessibility throughout the project. The process included the following steps:

• Pre-Installation Assessment: Existing HPS fixtures were removed, and mounting brackets were inspected for durability. Necessary upgrades were made to ensure compatibility with the new APTO LED fixtures.
• Fixture Testing: Each of the 79 LED fixtures was tested before installation to confirm alignment, functionality, and light distribution as specified in the photometric analysis.
• Efficient Installation Process: The project was completed in phases, allowing residents to access the driveways while work was underway. Installation teams ensured proper positioning of each fixture to achieve even illumination.
• Post-Installation Inspection: A thorough inspection was conducted after installation to verify that light levels met the design criteria. This included measuring illuminance across the 130-foot driveways to confirm uniform lighting and the elimination of dark spots.

Results

The results of the implementation were immediately noticeable and widely praised:

• Enhanced Visibility: The consistent, glare-free illumination significantly improved visibility along the driveways, making it easier for residents and visitors to navigate safely.
• Increased Safety: Security personnel reported improved patrol efficiency due to the uniform lighting, which eliminated blind spots and enhanced overall surveillance.
• Energy Savings: The transition to LED fixtures reduced energy consumption and maintenance costs, aligning with the HOA’s goals for sustainability and budget efficiency.
• Positive Community Feedback: Residents expressed satisfaction with the lighting upgrade, noting the improvement in both functionality and the warm, inviting aesthetic created by the 2200K LED fixtures.

By addressing the unique challenges of the Villa Palazzo community, the project delivered measurable improvements in safety, energy efficiency, and overall resident satisfaction.