When considering what to include in your landscape lighting, it's easy to get confused. Fluorescent, incandescent, LED…and now, low voltage?! Yes, there is another type of lighting to consider when consulting with an outdoor lighting service. Look at it this way, this gives you more lighting options, and thus more chances at getting just the lighting look you want for your home or business. Discover a world of efficiency, savings and brightness – simply add low voltage light bulbs in your landscape lighting!
First, let's take a look at standard voltage. Line or high voltage lights are powered by a typical 120-volt output. While low voltage lights are still hooked up to a standard 120-volt connection, they depend on a transformer that reduces the high voltage output down to 12 volts. This reduction in energy, amounts to big energy savings, which is why so many people depend on this landscape lighting setup.
If you are considering asking your outdoor lighting service for a low voltage option, it pays to be aware of a common misunderstanding. Low voltage lights don't automatically consume less energy. Electricity use and cost is driven by the total wattage of light bulbs in the system, not the underlying voltage. In addition, the transformer can also draw power. This means that a 200-watt bulb using a standard 120-volt hook-up can actually use less power than a low voltage system that includes the same bulbs. Contact our Oakville landscape lighting experts for more information on landscape lighting efficiency.
So what's the big advantage to installing a low voltage system? Low wattage systems can output more light for the wattage. If you want to save big, ask our landscape lighting technicians to create a low voltage system using only 1/2 to 1/3 the wattage of a high voltage system. While the brightness of your system will remain the same, your energy bills can drop dramatically.
First and foremost, low voltage systems are significantly safer to install and maintain. If you're a big fan of DIY, chances are you'll have no problem cleaning and maintaining this kind of system on your own. Note: while the electrocution risk is greatly reduced with a low voltage system, the risk is still there. It's always best to contact a professional outdoor lighting service to help with your outdoor lighting installation and maintenance.
Since a low voltage lighting system is so much more efficient, you can usually go with smaller lights that blend into your yard a bit more. This way, your house will be the object of your neighbours "oohs" and "ahs" – not the light fixtures themselves. Our in ground well lights are one of our sleekest fixtures, providing a subtle lighting advantage.
When it comes to maintenance, low voltage light bulbs last much longer than standard incandescent light bulbs. While low voltage bulbs are typically more expensive to buy, the initial cost is recouped through longer bulb life and energy savings.
There is no reason to be afraid of the dark – or your energy bill – with Nite Time Décor's outdoor lighting service! Ask our outdoor lighting service to design you a bright, beautiful Oakville landscape lighting system that will save you big on your utilities.