There are a lot of misconceptions about landscape lighting even though things have changed a lot in the industry in the last few years.
Read this blog if you’d like to learn why you should be using low-voltage lighting in your outdoor space.
What is Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting?
Let’s quickly talk about this before we go through the benefits of it. If you’re new to the lighting world, you might be wondering what it is, how it works, or how it’s different from traditional outdoor lighting.
Low-voltage lighting is safe and easy to install, it’s energy efficient, and it can truly change the dynamic of your outdoor space.
So, how does it work?
Low-voltage lighting uses a transformer to convert the standard 120 volts (from your house) into 12 volts and is most commonly used for outdoor lighting.
Setting up a transformer is really easy. All you have to do is plug it into any standard GFCI outlet to ensure your system and outlet are protected from moisture. You can install the transformer on the side of your house, under a deck, in a shed… it’s up to you to choose the most convenient location!
From there you can run your standard low-voltage cable through your outdoor space and plug your fixtures into the cable.
Why Use Low-Voltage Lighting?
With the basics covered, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of using in-lite’s low-voltage landscape lighting in your outdoor lighting projects.
1. Ease of Installation
Our patented Easy-Lock connector makes installing our lighting a breeze. All you have to do is twist the Easy-Lock onto your main line where prongs will puncture the cable and make a secure connection. A dielectric grease will seal it up and protect your system from moisture and dirt. It’s a plug and play system that anyone can install.
The cables and connections are also all direct burial, meaning you don’t have to run conduit first to install your lighting system. Just place your cables where you want them and cover them with mulch, dirt, sod, or other outdoor materials so that your space looks clean and tidy. When we say it’s easy, we mean it!
2. Safety
That leads us into our second benefit of low-voltage lighting… safety! Any type of lighting will provide your outdoor space with a sense of security, it’s well known that intruders will more likely stay away from well-lit spaces. But beyond that, low-voltage lighting is safe for family and friends.
You don’t have to worry about anyone getting electrocuted if they accidentally touch a cable, a fixture, or the transformer. And because the system is low-voltage, you can even install your fixtures while the transformer is turned on! That way you can ensure that you’ve made your connection properly during the install without having to go back and fix them later if need be.
3. Quality of Light
The third benefit to low-voltage lighting is the brightness and the light quality. You will not get the same quality light output with solar lights, we guarantee it. Solar lights do not have the power to provide bright light (which is measured by lumens) and definitely will not give you a quality like CRI 90+ (which all of our fixtures have). So, while they may seem like the cheaper option, is it really worth installing a light than doesn’t really provide you with… light?
On top of that, even though the voltage of the system and the wattage of the fixtures are lower than traditional outdoor lighting systems, they’re just as bright. Our advanced LED technology ensures that our light output is high quality and won’t wash out your landscape like some traditional LED lighting might.
4. Efficiency
Low-voltage lighting fixtures, especially in-lite, require very low wattage. Some of our fixtures only draw 0.2 watts. Crazy right? Low watts means it costs less to power the system, which puts more money in your pocket in the long run. Plus, it’s better for the environment!
5. Flexibility
The fifth benefit to low-voltage lighting is that it’s easy to change up or add onto it. For example, you can do your installs in stages, like the backyard this year and the front yard next year. Or, if you don’t like the way something looks, you can unscrew the Easy-Lock and move the fixture somewhere else! The system is customizable and designed to work for you.
6. Makes the Most of Outdoor Living Space
To wrap up, there are a ton of other reasons why you should choose low-voltage lighting, but the main one is so that you can enjoy your outdoor space well into the night. Your landscape should be an extension of your home, and outdoor lighting can help create a feeling of warmth, comfort, and enjoyment.
Learn More About Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting
We hope this has shed some light (pun intended!) on low-voltage lighting and how truly beneficial it can be. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your in-lite representative at info@insider.com.
If you'd like to see a video on this topic, click below:
