Landscape Lighting

November 04, 2009

Well-planned landscape lighting can make your yard attractive and safer, and in some cases, have little or no effect on your electrical bill. Before you get into the design phase, though, you should get the nuts and bolts out of the way; what kind of lighting system would work best for your home?

120-volt Landscape Lighting

120-volt lighting, also referred to as high voltage lighting, uses the same kind of electrical lines which are in your house. 120 volt lighting is incredibly bright, and best used for larger areas, such as parks or ball fields. The power lines must be buried inside a conduit, and usually an electrician and local permits are required.

12-volt Landscape Lighting

12-volt lighting, or low voltage lighting, is less expensive and more flexible than 120-volt lighting. A transformer must be installed for these lights, but after the lighting is wired to the transformer, the individual lights can be moved about easily. Obviously, these lights will use less electricity than 120 volt lighting fixtures but can still provide proper lighting for an average yard.

Solar Landscape Lighting

Solar lighting fixtures can be the most flexible and least expensive to use. Some systems use a large solar cell which is wired to individual fixtures, but many systems have individual cells for each fixture. This last option means that there are no wires involved, and fixtures can be mounted nearly anywhere and moved easily.

Landscape lighting can create a dramatic outdoor “room” by highlighting plantings and architectural features, or it can simply light a pathway to your home. Whether you are lighting a large estate or a small garden, though, there is a landscape lighting option which will fit your yard and your budget.