Each recipe gives an on-time and an off-time. "Sunset plus 20" means 20 minutes after sunset that day, which any astronomic timer, smart plug or lighting app with a sunset trigger can follow. With a plain clock timer, use the list on the sunset page and reset it about once a month.
As a rough guide, sunset plus 20 lands near 4:55 PM in mid-December, 6:30 PM in mid-October and 8:25 PM in mid-June.
On: sunset plus 10.
Off: 11 p.m., or sunrise if the porch light is the only light on the house overnight.
Why: the entry should be lit before anyone arrives home in the dark, and on winter evenings that can be well before 5 p.m.
On: sunset plus 15.
Off: 10:30 p.m. on weeknights, midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Why: the outline of the house reads best as twilight fades. Late at night, few people pass by to see it.
On: sunset plus 10, from the start date you choose.
Off: 11 p.m. or midnight, until the end date you choose.
Why: in December the sky is dark before 5 p.m., so a display that runs to 11 p.m. is on for over six hours each night. Set the season's start and end dates once at the beginning rather than switching it daily. For when displays around Nashville usually go up and come down, see Permanent Lighting Solutions' holiday calendar.
Apps for permanent roofline systems usually keep these as recurring schedules with a sunset trigger, and some book a season weeks ahead. Permanent Lighting Solutions describes how the app on its systems handles schedules.
On: sunset.
Off: an hour after closing, or 11 p.m. for a sign.
Why: a lit front and sign tell people the business is still there after the doors lock.
On: the same as your normal schedule.
Off: the same, or vary it by 15 to 30 minutes if the timer offers a random or away mode.
Why: a house that looks the way it always does draws less attention than one lit all night.
At 10 p.m.: drop decorative lights to low brightness.
At midnight: turn them off.
Why: dimmer light late at night is easier on neighbors and on anyone trying to sleep with a window facing the street.
On: 6 a.m.
Off: sunrise.
Why: in late October and in January, sunrise comes close to 7 a.m., so early commutes and school walks start in the dark.