The lights are typically set to approximately 30–40 lumens per light: a soft, warm glow, not a bright, intrusive light. Dark walkways and entrances stay clearly visible, light stays within the property footprint, and the neighborhood keeps its look.
HOA Approval Guide
Permanent Lighting Your HOA Can Say Yes To
bluEmber is a permanent, low-voltage, low-profile exterior lighting system installed primarily for security and safety. It brings security lighting, accent lighting, smart home integration, and HOA-scheduled holiday lighting together in one professionally installed system.
bluEmber · HOA Approval Guide
At A Glance
- Light Spacing
- 11"
- Light Direction
- Downward
- Power
- Low voltage (48V)
- Protrusion From Trim
- 1/4"
- Typical Brightness
- 30–40 lumens per light
- Ratings
- UL Listed · IP68
- Visible Wires
- Zero
- Everyday Light
- Steady, no flashing
- Holiday Colors
- HOA-approved dates only
bluEmber · HOA Approval Guide
Soft, Warm Brightness
bluEmber · HOA Approval Guide
Security & Safety
Crime Deterrence (Research-Supported)
National and international studies consistently show that exterior lighting, combined with one additional deterrent such as a visible security camera, significantly reduces property crime. The system aims light at the darkest zones: corners, windows, entry points, and side gates.
Better Camera Footage
Consistent, low-intensity lighting improves security camera footage at night. The warm white setting gives even illumination that helps with facial and vehicle recognition without overexposing the frame.
Walkway & Stair Illumination
Accent lighting lights up walkways, driveways, and stairs, reducing slip-and-fall risk by showing debris, wet surfaces, and changes in elevation. This matters most for guests, deliveries, and elderly residents.
bluEmber · HOA Approval Guide
Appearance & Installation
Low-Profile, Color-Matched Track
Slim aluminum channels are painted to match the home's trim and installed behind the fascia, under the eaves. Lights sit flush with the track and extend only 1/4 inch, so the system is nearly invisible in the daytime and effectively invisible from the street when off.
Fully Concealed Wiring
All wiring is enclosed in the track, and runs go through the attic wherever possible to avoid exterior wire runs. No visible cables, no exposed conduit, no surface-mounted wires.
Low Voltage and Safe
Every component is UL Listed and IP68 rated for weather resistance. Fixtures connect with a plug-and-play system, so no wires are cut or spliced during installation.
Completely Reversible
The lights and channels can be removed at any time without altering or damaging the existing structure.
One-Time Professional Installation
Installed once by licensed, insured professionals. No seasonal ladder work after the first install, which removes the yearly risk of injury and property damage from hanging and taking down temporary holiday lights.
bluEmber · HOA Approval Guide
Light Output & Neighbor Impact
Down-Facing Light Design
Every fixture points downward, sending light toward the home and its immediate area. Because the lights sit inside the track, they produce minimal sideways glare and no upward light, so light spill and glare stay away from neighbors and the night sky is preserved.
bluEmber · HOA Approval Guide
Smart Home Integration
Voice & Smart Home Platforms
Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Control4. Scenes, schedules, and zones can be controlled by voice or added to existing routines alongside smart doorbells, thermostats, and other connected devices.
Motion Sensor Integration
When a connected motion sensor detects movement (through Alexa, Google Home, or a third-party sensor), selected lights turn on at a set brightness and color. Ideal for driveways, side yards, and rear entries.
Security Camera Sync
With a compatible camera system, lights turn on when the camera detects movement or a person. The homeowner doesn't have to do anything.
Home Alarm Sync
When a connected home security alarm goes off, all exterior lights turn on at full brightness. This floods the perimeter with light, deters intruders, and makes the home easy for neighbors and first responders to see.
Smoke Detector Integration (Emergency Only)
This is the only situation in which the lights flash. When synced with a compatible smart smoke detector, the system can flash the exterior lights red once a smoke or CO alarm has sounded for a set amount of time (for example, 30 seconds of continuous alarm). This helps emergency services find the correct address right away, especially among similar-looking homes or at night when address numbers are hard to read.
Supplements an existing alarm system; does not replace direct emergency notification. Compatibility depends on the homeowner's smoke detector and smart home ecosystem.
bluEmber · HOA Approval Guide
Control & Scheduling
Per-Zone Control
The front, back, and sides of the home work as separate zones. The front can stay on white security lighting while the back yard runs a color scene for a private gathering, at the same time and from the same app.
Individual Light Control
Each light can be turned on or off independently, so homeowners can light only the most important areas (entry doors, dark corners, garage approaches) instead of the whole perimeter.
Nightly Timers & Dimming
Multiple programmable timers turn security lighting on at sunset and off at sunrise, or at custom times. Brightness and timers can be adjusted to meet any community lighting preferences. Once configured, no manual input is needed.
Annual Holiday Calendar
Holiday colors are scheduled ahead of time on a yearly calendar. They turn on and off automatically within the dates set by HOA guidelines, and the system returns to steady white security lighting outside those dates. Residents don't have to do anything to stay in compliance.
Custom White Balance
Homeowners can set a custom color temperature for the white setting to match existing exterior fixtures or landscape lighting. The default is 3000K warm white.
Smart Home Scheduling
Scenes, schedules, and zones can be added to existing smart home routines through Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Control4.
bluEmber · HOA Approval Guide
Hoa Compliance
Compliant With CC&Rs
In everyday use the lights stay on and do not flash, providing steady white light for year-round security and safety instead of a seasonal display. Holiday colors run only on HOA-approved dates.
Why This Matters for the Community
Temporary holiday lighting varies from year to year in placement, quality, and removal timing. bluEmber is installed once and looks the same year-round: no ladders, no dangling cords, and no lights left up past permitted dates. It improves a home's safety and curb appeal without changing the look of the neighborhood.
bluEmber · HOA Approval Guide
Product Specifications
The Light
- Brightness
- Up to 95 lumens per light (typically dimmed to 30–40)
- Diodes
- 6 per light, RGBW (red, green, blue + white)
- White Settings
- 3000K warm white default; 5000K cool alert scene
- Lens
- Frosted diffusion lens (frosted and full-frosted options)
- Rated Lifespan
- 100,000 hours, twice the 50,000-hour standard
- Weather Rating
- IP68, sealed for full submersion
- Safety
- UL Listed; self-extinguishing gel fill
- Light Spacing
- 11"
- Warranty
- Every light is backed by a lifetime warranty
Power & Wiring
- System Voltage
- 48V low voltage
- Power Supply
- 48V, 450W–1,200W options
- Power Input
- Standard 110V plug-in, no hardwiring
- Cable
- 16-gauge, double-jacketed
- Data
- 4-wire redundant; backup data wire on every run
- Connectors
- Metal-threaded, waterproof couplers
- Capacity
- Up to 4,112 lights per system
- PCM
- Sealed IP68 enclosure, built-in cooling fan, indoor or outdoor mounting
- PCM Warranty
- 5 years
Track & Control
- Channel
- Corner-mitered aluminum channel
- Colors
- Six paint-matched channel colors
- Wiring
- Fully hidden wire runs
- Installation
- Same-day on most homes
- App
- bluEmber app via Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
- Smart Home
- Relay switch module for smart home integration
- Zones
- 4 zones + individually addressable lights
- Presets
- Unlimited presets; full scheduling, dusk-to-dawn
- Security
- Motion-sensor security zones
Submitting to your HOA
Ready to Submit Your Request?
Download the HOA packet and include it with your application for the Board's review. It requests approval for a permanent, low-voltage, non-obtrusive exterior lighting system designed to deter crime and improve visibility while keeping the neighborhood's architectural character. Your bluEmber Licensed Expert is glad to answer the Board's questions or arrange a demonstration.
Available on request: photos of installed homes, full product specifications, visual mockups of your home, and proposed timer and dimmer settings.