How Do LED Landscaping Lights Work?

You have the perfect house with the perfect yard, but it is missing some landscape lighting.

The interesting fact is that landscape lighting can transform your yard from basic to extraordinary.

But this is no easy task, and it requires lots of planning.

You need to know what you need to light in the yard, the type of landscape lighting, and how to use it.

Over the years, LED lighting has become very popular for outdoor uses, from gardens to golf courses.

First, they are the most energy-efficient light in the market; they have the longest lifespan and warranty.

They’re also very versatile.

Below is a guide on how LED landscaping lights work, and how to go about it.

With the introduction of LED technology, the landscape lighting industry has changed over the years.

The benefits of LED over traditional halogen systems have made them more popular and desirable for many people.

Before the installation happens, it’s crucial to do adequate planning.

Below are some of the things that you should consider before installing LED lighting.

Choosing The Lights

One of the first things that you need to figure out is the lights that you need.

You should also consider the areas that need them, and the fixtures required.

When it comes to lights, you’ll need to decide on whether you prefer the plug-and-play install or lights with pigtail wire leads.

The latter will require you to use silicone-filled wire nuts to connect them.

This is a more complicated option as opposed to the plug and play connectors as it requires wire cutters and strippers.

Another thing to consider when it comes to choosing the lights is the brightness and color.

Different people have different preferences. 

It all depends on what speaks to you as a person.

A factor to consider when deciding on the brightness is the size of the object that you will be illuminating.

If it’s something small such as a plant or a small structure, you should choose lights that have lower lumen outputs.

It all depends on where the lighting should be: on trees, fences, on the garden, or the retaining walls.

The landscape lighting fixtures are crucial to your landscape designing.

Not being selective about the fixtures that you want will warrant many problems later on.

You should consider the cost of the fixture while making your decision as cheap ones will bring you problems.

An example is using cheap aluminum and plastic fixtures.

These will fade, crack, and even allow moisture into the electrical system.

It will interfere with the electrical system over time, costing you more money to repair it.

The best material in the market is copper and brass. They’re more durable and can last for many years, with no problem.

It’s more beneficial to dig deeper into your pocket and get value for it than to go the cheapest route.

Know The Areas Where The Lights Will Be Placed

Some of the things to consider when it comes to the place where the lighting will include:

Identify the key features that you like in the yard. These are the areas to show off.

You can incorporate some drama into the areas that do not stand out during the day.

Functionality matters in path lighting.

For example, you should light a meandering pathway as it will ensure that you can navigate the yard with no risk of injuries.

Choose a Power Supply

It’s crucial to choose the power supply for outdoor landscape lighting.

For this, you will need to consider the total wattage of the lights that you will be buying, and also if you will need to add more in the future.

But keep in mind that the wattage of the lights should be 20% less than the rated wattage of the transformer.

If you’ll be adding more lights later on in the future, ensure that you buy a transformer that is rated for more wattage than you need.

Also, when choosing the power supply that you need, you could choose one that has several voltage taps.

This will help you to fix any voltage drop issues that you may encounter.

Get Your Materials

Make sure to check all your materials in check before going ahead to install the outdoor pathway lighting.

Ensure that you have all the tools needed as well.

If you have hired a professional to do it for you, you should ensure that they have all their tools ready and are great at their job.

Check to see how many clients they have dealt with, and their portfolio.

This will give you a rough idea of whether they are the right choice for you or not.

Some of the crucial tools and materials needed will include a transformer, the landscape lights, wire cutters and strippers,silicone-filled wire nuts, and voltage testers.

Start Working on Those Lights!

With all the above done, the next step is to start the installation of the LED path lights. Before burying any wire, it is recommended to lay out the entire system and test the lights.

You can also buy a lighting kit to make the process easier for you.

It will cut all the trouble of figuring out the voltage drop. Research the market to know the best-LED landscape lighting kits to get the right one for you.

They’ll come in handy with path lights and spotlights, not excluding connectors and a transformer.

Having LED incorporated in your landscape lighting design is the best thing that you could do for your yard.

The process is not as daunting as it seems. 

With the information above, you’re able to have the backyard of your dreams. 

If you opt to hire a lighting designer, ensure that you get one that is highly experienced and reliable. 

Do extensive research to get one that understands your vision, and will bring it to life, making it a reality!