Well-designed landscape lighting will highlight the beauty of your home no matter what time of day it is. There are multiple factors to consider when choosing landscape lighting for your home. Low voltage landscape lighting is one of the most popular options for residential outdoor lighting, offering an array of benefits including lower costs, better energy efficiency and enhanced safety. Read to learn more about low voltage landscape lighting and why it may be the right choice for your home’s outdoor lighting.
What is Low Voltage Lighting?
Unlike other lighting systems that use 120 volts for the same purpose, low-voltage lighting only uses 12 volts to power all light fixtures, eliminating the need for dangerous electrical wires that could potentially cause threat of shocks or injuries. There are a few significant benefits that make low-voltage landscape lighting a simple and safe option for homeowners:
- Energy efficiency – Low voltage lights are highly energy-efficient. They are able to give off a higher amount of light using only 20 percent of the energy used by traditional incandescent bulbs.
- Life-span – Homeowners will notice extra savings with low voltage lighting because they often last much longer than older incandescent bulbs. This will allow you to enjoy your outdoor lighting system, reducing the burden and maintenance of having to regularly replace the bulbs.
- Easy installations – In contrast to low voltage landscape lighting, high voltage systems typically require a permit from local authorities to install, increasing the overall installation cost and time frame. Additionally, installing low voltage landscape lighting is a much easier process because all cables can be placed above or below the ground at any depth, whereas high voltage systems must be installed at least 18 inches below ground.
- Cost effective – When it comes to installation and maintenance, low-voltage landscape lighting requires much less effort. Homeowners who choose low-voltage lighting will need to buy a transformer, which is not required for line voltage lighting systems. However, the cables that are needed for line voltage lighting are much more expensive than those needed for low-voltage systems. Furthermore, for low voltage lighting, you may use bulbs and fixtures as low as 2-10 watts, whereas line voltage lighting requires bulbs that are 50 watts or more.
- Safety – For homeowners, this is perhaps the biggest selling point. Low voltage landscape lighting is much safer for residential properties. With a lighting system that only requires 12-volt power, you will never have to worry about shocks or injuries in the event that you, your children, or guests accidentally touch something.
What Makes Low Voltage Lighting Better Than Line-Voltage Lighting?
Customizable: There are no limits to what can be done with low voltage lighting. Rather than being constricted by electrical cords connecting to each light with traditional line-voltage lights, low voltage allows more flexibility to make your exterior lighting visions come to life. Low voltage lights can be installed on and around the house, as well as in the ground, pavers, and along driveway areas without the need to pre-plan and pre-wire. For those who wish to light up the trees in their yard, you can also place low voltage lights high-up in trees to shine down beautifully with no junction boxes needed.
Reliable: Low voltage lighting fixtures come in a variety of materials and styles for any application, whereas line-voltage lighting is much more limited as to what type of lights are available. For example, brass and copper are recognized as the best options for outdoor use because they are the only materials that do not corrode. However, finding brass and copper line-voltage fixtures is rare and often very expensive when available. Most are made of plastic or cheaper metals which will quickly corrode in an exterior environment, especially in Florida. Choosing low voltage lighting for your home will give a wider range of material options that will be beneficial for long-term use.
Ways To Use Low Voltage Lights to Illuminate Your Landscape
There are many ways to use low voltage lighting to enhance your home’s landscape:
- Pathway Lights – Low voltage pathway lights are a great way to highlight your outdoor walkways and enhance the safety of your landscape. These fixtures also work well to outline a garden or landscape bed so that the unique details of your yard are always visible.
- Patio Lights – You can use low voltage lighting to brighten up your patio or deck to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Patio lighting allows you to define your home’s architectural features and increase curb appeal.
- Step Lights – If you have steps leading up to your front or back door, low voltage step lights will provide safety for yourself and guests that are visiting your home at nighttime.
- Spotlights – Spotlights are a more versatile landscape lighting option used to illuminate specific features in your yard such as trees or certain areas that may not be as visible when the sun goes down. Spotlights are also able to support a wide variety of bulbs, making them a suitable option for low voltage lighting.
Jacksonville’s #1 Landscape Lighting Company
Pro Lighting Outdoors, LLC is a premier outdoor and landscape lighting installation company, serving homeowners and businesses in the Jacksonville & St. Augustine, Florida areas. If you are considering exterior lighting for your home, contact Pro Lighting Outdoors today to schedule a consultation – (904) 924-4496.