With the introduction of led outdoor lighting in the last few years, homeowners can save even more with increased lamp life and decreased energy usage. Take the example of adding a couple of light fixtures to the end of your walkway, right near the street but 50 feet from your house. If you were to run 120 volt fixtures you would be required to get a building permit, hire a licensed contractor, run expensive conduit with wire inside, connecting to expensive sealed junction boxes mounted at the light fixture location. All of this would have to be directly wired into your homes electrical panel with a dedicated circuit. If you use 12 volt lighting you simply mount a small transformer next to an outdoor outlet and plug it in with a standard cord. The wires to the fixtures do not require conduit and can be run along the walkway, buried an inch or two below ground, or just tucked in under the ground cover. Connecting to the fixtures is simple, using a couple of wire nuts or a small connector made for this purpose. No permit from the city is required, and no contractor needs to be hired. You will notice the savings on your monthly electric bill as well. 12 volt outdoor lighting requires less than half the power to operate than a 120 volt system, and if you use led outdoor lighting you can expect to save as much as 80% off the cost of 120 volt fixtures.

The variety of 12 volt lighting fixtures available and the types of materials and finishes to choose from is huge. Fixtures are available in plastic, fiberglass, and aluminum for economical choices, and for really nice high end fixtures you can choose from brass, copper, and stainless steel fixtures. There are 12 volt outdoor lighting fixtures designed for specific uses, such as lighting pathways, creating wash lighting effects for walls and architectural details, lighting ponds from underwater, or marking the location of steps and deck railings. Drive through any neighborhood at night and you will see that the houses without lighting in the yards or around the house look dark and uninviting, not a welcoming feeling for visitors. Then look at the houses that have installed 12 volt outdoor lighting and have their pathways lit, and their steps and driveways clearly marked with accent lighting; these are the houses that appear safe and welcoming to guest. The addition of 12 volt lighting has improved the appearance and functionality of the house, and the entire neighborhood benefits from it and appreciates it. Close -

Relocation and redesign is a quality I would like to highlight here. When thinking about the outward appearance of one’s home, flexibility is always a key consideration. The near permanent changes of a 120 volt lighting system would require deliberate care and thought. The shallow burial depth of a 12 volt electrical system allows one to rearrange the outdoor lighting in a way that would be extremely difficult and unwieldy with a 120 volt system. In addition, 12 volt bulbs and fixtures are smaller and less bulky making them easier to arrange in the most aesthetic way possible. 120 volt systems will require burial depth of up to 18 inches, a myriad of permits, and a specific new wiring/cabling system. Due to all of these things, 12 volt systems have become increasingly popular. The cost savings and pricing simply add to the appeal.

However, despite the benefits of a 12 volt lighting system, there are some important things a homeowner must know before installation. A transformer will be required to convert current of a typical power outlet to the 12 volt current required for an LED outdoor lighting system. This will save money in the long run, as the system will use less energy than comparable 120 volt systems. But, a transformer could experience issues with voltage drop. Voltage drop is exactly what it sounds like: a drop-off in the voltage of the electrical current. This will result in bulbs appearing dimmer then normal despite their being fresh new bulbs. When premature dimness occurs, don’t panic and tear out your 12 volt lighting system. Just recall that dim bulbs may be a symptom of voltage drop, and double check to verify that your transformer and the outlet it is plugged into are working properly. If the issue persists, go online to helpful forums dedicated to LED lighting systems to ask others in the do-it-yourself community how the problem can be repaired, or search online for voltage drop transformers that can prevent the issue altogether.

Being aware of voltage drop before purchasing and setting up a 12 volt outdoor lighting system will help you get the greatest benefit and cost savings from the system. Remember, the design flexibility and ability to implement an LED outdoor lighting system without a costly electrical contractor or waiting for time consuming permits make LED outdoor lighting systems the ideal way to beautify your home. Check out some of the free online guides dedicated to helping homeowners plan, purchase, install, and maintain their own 12 volt outdoor lighting system. With a bit of research, a dark empty lawn, a pair of gloves and some simple hand tools, implementation of a new outdoor lighting system can be fun and easy. Close -