Why Low-Voltage Lighting?

If you're thinking of exterior lighting for your home, low-voltage wired-in LED lighting is definitely the way to go. And with the advance in lighting technologies in the market, outdoor landscape lighting has never been so accessible and affordable to implement.

Until recently, homes with exterior lighting used full voltage power supplies that meant higher bills, bigger installation piping and more risk. Landscape lighting was common to higher-end homes as a result. But, lighting technology has changed a great deal in the last 10 years. Manufacturers are able to mimic similar lighting features into lower voltage solutions, meaning maintenance costs are lower and the wiring is safer to use in your home.

Here's a list outlining why low-voltage wired-in landscape lighting is the way.

1. Low Risk

Low-voltage means less risk of currents running through your property and the ground you play and walk on. This also means that you don't need an electrician to install the lighting, and no electrical permits either. Companies like ours offer professional installation at a discount, and so installation becomes affordable too. And if you're inclined to install it yourself, there are simple guidelines you can follow.

2. Discrete Wiring

Low-voltage LED lighting is installed by discreetly digging in your front and back yard spaces. The trenches for in-ground wiring are not deep, and unlike traditional high-voltage requirements, low-voltage doesn't need large piping or ugly rip-up of your softscape. In fact, your entire landscape architecture remains the same---it just gains light.

3. Low energy

Low energy is a good thing, especially when it comes to outdoor lighting. From an aesthetic point of view, the illumination is gentle and unobscure. It's not the same harshness as full voltage lighting that flashes in you eyes when your walking up your pathway. It simply creates the right shine that gives dimension to your outdoor space.

Low energy also means sustainable solutions for your future. And with the transformers that connect to sensors, low-voltage lighting can run for a few hours between dusk and dark, or all night. It doesn't add a large sum to your electricity bill because the voltage is much lower. To put this into perspective, a typical household lighting fixture (your dining room light, your vanity lighting, etc.) uses 120 volts of power. A typical low-voltage light uses only 12 volts--a mere 10% of this. 

With all of these benefits in mind, low-voltage LED solutions are definitely the way to go when it comes to exterior lighting ideas. If you're ready to design your lighting project,  contact us here for a free consultation.