Patio lights and outdoor lights are big energy suckers as they often are lit for hours. If you like to keep them on, there are things you can do to at least make them more energy efficient. Positioning: Place your patio lights strategically so that you light up only the areas needed instead of the whole block. While where you place lights is important, you can also opt for shielded lights to reduce light pollution or uncomfortable glare which lowers visibility. Automated: If you don't need the light on all the time, opt for automated controls that turn lights on when it is dark and off at the first light (with the help of timers or sensors). Automatic controls can save 20 to 90 percent of lighting costs. If you don't need them on all night, installing a motion sensor is a great idea as it will only switch on whenever anyone is stepping onto the patio instead of staying on all night. It will also deter intruders. Bulbs make a big difference: You can choose from a low-pressure sodium bulb, compact fluorescent or metal halide bulbs and LED lights. These also come in solar-powered models and while a bit more expensive, but are well worth it. Ditch your incandescent light bulbs - they waste about 90% of electricity they use by producing heat instead of light. Metal halide lighting and high-pressure sodium lights on the other hand are better options as they are 3 to 4 times more efficient and have a long life.Image: Markus Gann/Shutterstock