As technology improvements, landscaping lighting options become more varied, like selecting among different fixtures, bulb types and power sources. Two common options are LED (light-emitting diode) systems and low-voltage lighting. Both these lighting techniques offer adequate lighting along garden pathways via different fixture shapes, but they have quite a few distinct benefits and drawbacks based on their overall design.
LED Lighting Advantages
The key advantage to LED technology is long-lasting bulbs. Originally designed as a digital part, LEDs use a very small quantity of electricity compared to traditional bulbs; they endure more since they do not take the abuse of continuous electric surges like other bulb forms. LEDs are also called a solar or hardwired assembly. Utilizing the sun’s energy, your lights do not need connecting wires for electricity. If your area is prone to lots of cloud cover, however, hardwired LED systems are a smart choice, particularly since the small transformer doesn’t add a significant amount to the purchase price in comparison to other lighting systems.
Low-Voltage Lighting Benefits
Low-voltage lighting uses a step-down transformer to change your home’s 120-V electric distribution to 12 V for lighting illumination; this electricity conversion creates this lighting system secure to install and maintain since the voltage level is considerably lower than a standard electrical outlet. Typically an inexpensive lighting alternative, it only requires some yard digging to conceal the wires. Since the wires aren’t high-voltage, you simply hide them just under the soil, mainly for aesthetic reasons. If you need to transfer the lighting around for a landscape remodel, the wires easily lift out of this soil for rapid reorganization.
Disadvantages of LED Lights
Although they last more than competitive bulbs, LED lights decline in performance over time and come in a higher price. A specialized coating on the lights breaks and changes both the brightness and color type, like soft yellow into an unwanted white-blue colour. Additionally, if you want bright LED lights, they have a tendency to have an unsightly colour palette since that color spectrum creates the most visible lighting. Bright LEDs are likewise not feasible with solar-powered fixtures; stored light energy can’t create the identical power output as a hardwired lighting design.
Low-Voltage Light Drawbacks
Low-voltage lighting has reduced brightness regardless if it’s powered with direct or solar electricity; the secure 12-V power supply can’t create bright flood lights which are commonly connected to a standard electrical outlet. Your hardwired lighting also has the disadvantage of potential wire damage. The shallow wire burial makes the system vulnerable to damage from insects or yard tools; wires could be pinched or cut easily in the dirt.