Did You Know We Can Automate Your Outdoor Lighting?

Why It’s So Important to Get Proactive Lighting in the Winter Months 

Maui’s beautiful weather makes time outdoors all the more exciting in winter; unfortunately, the sun doesn’t always cooperate with our plans. Unfailingly as November hits, sunsets start arriving sooner and sooner. Not only do gatherings by the pool and patio get cut short, but your driveway and walkways become uninviting. 

Outdoor lighting is a great way to extend the day and provide greater safety for your family, but it can be a chore to deal with. But what if exterior lighting turned on itself based on the sunset and not guesswork? What if a well-lit exterior was always there to greet you without you lifting a finger? 

It’s possible with automated outdoor lighting, which creates greater safety, visibility and curb appeal—while reducing your energy costs. 

What Does Outdoor Lighting Automation Do?

At its most basic functionality, outdoor lighting automation follows the sun’s path so you don’t have to think about it. In most cases, we’ll combine a smart switch with a lighting control system to align your lighting with astronomical sunsets and sunrises. That way, your schedules auto-adjust daily as days shorten or lengthen with the seasons. 

Our lighting automation also puts you in control if you want to make changes throughout the day. From a mobile app or keypad on the door, pull up scenes that align with different needs. An “Arrival” scene turns on all path lights and accent lights, along with ambient lighting. An “Away” scene, when you leave the house, turns off all non-essential lighting. 

Where is Outdoor Automation Most Useful?

When you can easily control the lighting in your outdoor spaces, you can be most strategic about how you use it. Outdoor automation lets you create purposeful in various areas: 

• Pathways & Driveways: Use schedules and motion sensors to activate lights when needed or have an “Arrival” scene that turns them on as you pull into the driveway.

• Landscape & Garden: At sunset, ambient and accent lights activate to showcase trees, walls, and architectural features to enhance your curb appeal. 

• Entry, Garage & Pool/Lanai: Areas turn in when the sun sets or you step outside to enhance your family’s safety. 

• Whole-Home Exterior Scenes: “Evening,” “Away,” and holiday presets let you manage lights across multiple outdoor areas. 

• Indoor/Outdoor Cohesion: Create scenes that provide consistent intensity and hues in your exteriors and interiors. 

What Are the Biggest Benefits of Outdoor Automation?

Done right, automated outdoor lighting delivers immediate gains without extra effort. You arrive at a bright, welcoming property, and the system takes care of everything for you.

• Deter unwanted activity: Consistent light at the entry, garage, and perimeter signals presence and sharpens camera clarity.

• Don’t fumble or guess: Lights turn on by actual sunset and on “Arrival” scenes, so you park, unlock, and walk in with confidence.

• Dial back energy use: Astronomical schedules prevent daytime burn; late-night dimming and sunrise shutoff cut waste and costs.

• Dress the property: Accent trees, textures, and architecture for a polished, intentional look that enhances curb appeal.

How Control Freaks Hawaii Sets This Up

During a walkthrough, our team maps every outdoor zone that matters to you. We identify the paths and steps you use at night, the driveway's edges, architectural accents worth highlighting, and the lanai and pool deck. We group these areas and help you develop custom scenes according to your routines. You control everything from an on-wall keypad or the mobile app, and we can add motion at the steps or a garage-door trigger so lights greet you as you pull in.

We deploy proven control platforms like Control4 and Lutron to keep scenes reliable and easy to use. When it makes sense, we reuse existing low-voltage runs and fixtures, then add targeted luminaires with thin coverage. After installation, you work with our local, full-service electrical team for tuning and support. We serve Kihei, Makena, Lahaina, and nearby communities and return for seasonal tweaks, holiday presets, and ongoing care.