Sunset & Timer Planner
Month-by-month sunset times for 22 Texas cities with timer settings and yearly run hours.
Your city & schedule
*At 15¢/kWh. Sunset times are calculated for the 15th of each month and may differ by a few minutes from local almanacs.
Month by month
| Month | Sunset | Sunrise | Lights on | Run time |
|---|
Why a fixed timer gets it wrong in Texas
Sunset in Texas moves by around three hours across the year, from a little after 5:20 pm in early December in Houston to around 8:30 pm or later in late June in North and West Texas. A mechanical timer set in summer leaves your yard dark for hours in winter, and a winter setting wastes energy in summer. Daylight saving time adds another jump twice a year.
An astronomical timer solves this by calculating sunset for your exact location every day. Lights come on at the right moment, all year, with no adjustment.
Choosing an off time
Many Texas homeowners run decorative layers until 11 pm or midnight and leave path or security zones on later. Dusk-to-dawn schedules are useful for security but nearly double winter run time. Plug your schedule into the table above and compare the yearly hours and cost, or use the energy cost calculator.
More free tools
Questions about this tool
What time should landscape lights turn on?
Around 15 minutes after sunset is a popular setting. The sky still has color, and the lights fade in naturally as it gets dark.
Do I need to change my timer for daylight saving time?
Astronomical and smart timers adjust automatically. Older mechanical timers need resetting twice a year.
How many hours a year do landscape lights run?
A sunset-to-11 pm schedule in Texas typically runs about 1,500 to 1,800 hours a year. Dusk to dawn is closer to 4,300.
Tell us about your project
Share a few details and we will reach out to schedule a free consultation. We will talk through your goals, look at the property and, where it helps, show you a night demo before you decide anything.
- Custom design for your home, not a preset package
- Written proposal with fixture locations and pricing
- Warm, low-glare 12V LED systems built for Texas weather
- Final aiming visit after dark
Free consultation request
Ready to see your home in a new light?
Talk to Texas Landscape Lights about a custom lighting plan for your property, anywhere in Texas.