Lighting is art, with a purpose

Landscape Lighting Solar vs Wired

 

There are many benefits to installing landscape lighting solar vs wired. For starters, solar lights are cheaper and more environmentally friendly. They also require minimal maintenance. Both types of lights come in a variety of fixture styles. However, solar lights don’t shine as brightly or last as long as wired options. If you’re planning to use them for your landscape, you’ll want to choose the right type of lighting for the area you’ll be using them.

 

Landscape lighting can either be solar or low-voltage. Both systems have pros and cons. Solar-powered lights use sunlight to power their lights, whereas low-voltage landscape lighting uses underground wiring. Because of this, you should consider the maintenance costs before deciding which type to install. Also, be sure to consider whether the lighting will be a permanent fixture or temporary. Solar-powered lights are ideal for areas where electricity is scarce or nonexistent.

 

One major advantage of solar landscape lights is that they don’t require an electrician to install them. They can be staked into the ground or hung. However, they do take time to charge. That means you can’t test them right away. Depending on the area you want to illuminate, you may need to wait several hours before checking them for proper functioning. Solar landscape lighting also requires less maintenance than older yard lights. And unlike wired lights, it is more environmentally friendly.

 

A major downside of wired landscape lighting is the extra expense they can add to your electricity bill. If you are looking to cut costs on your electric bill, look into low-voltage landscape lighting. LED lights use a fraction of the energy of traditional lighting and produce the same quality of light. And LED bulbs last a very long time, so you’ll have to replace them less frequently. So, if you’re looking for a green way to light your landscape, consider a solar or low-voltage option. Learn more here.

 

While some solar light kits do exist, they have many disadvantages. In addition to being cheaper, they are not made with professional-grade lamps. A solar-powered path light will produce one lumen per watt while a 3-watt LED low-voltage path light will give you three hundred to four hundred times more light. Solar lights will also produce a blueish-white light, which is very cool on the kelvin temperature scale.

 

If you choose solar lights, make sure you are able to install them in areas that receive little sunlight. However, since they can’t absorb as much energy from the sun, they only work at night. Also, because solar lights do not require much wiring, many professional landscapers prefer low-voltage electrical lighting because of their flexibility and lack of limitations on sunlight. Low-voltage lights are also available in a variety of finishes.

 

When choosing landscape lighting, be sure to check your budget before deciding which type of installation is best. Solar lighting systems tend to be cheaper than wired lighting systems, so if you’re on a budget, you might want to invest in solar lighting for your landscape. Solar lighting is an easy, quick and inexpensive way to light up your landscape. Just be sure to buy a high-quality unit and get it professionally installed. Additional information here.