LED is changing the landscape lighting industry. With the introduction of any new technology, it is essential to address any misunderstandings and provide education and guidance to consumers in order to help them make the transition to a better alternative.
In relation to LED lighting, there are several points to go over such as the color temperatures and its effect on the atmosphere of the environment, the complexity of the setup, different fixtures to choose from, and the expense. LEDs (which is short for Light Emitting Diodes and also called Solid State Lighting or SSL) present a range of design possibilities.
LED illumination is available in two varieties: the Retrofit LED or a luminaire which is uniquely designed for LED lights. This LED bulb is designed to take the place of regular lightbulbs. The MR16 Halogen bulb is the type most often employed in landscape lighting.
A lighting device specifically made for LED technology is known as an LED Specific Luminaire. The Department of Energy states that retrofit style bulbs can serve as a temporary substitution for LEDs until the existing fixtures are replaced fully. This offers an efficient measure for transitioning to energy-saving LED lightings.
Retrofit bulbs can be created without knowledge of the lamp frame meant to contain it, which can result in issues.
Replaceable lightbulbs must be equipped with a power converter, motor, lighting unit, and thermal radiation all within a single tight volume. This results in a lot of potential problems, particularly an increase in temperature from a fixture that was not engineered for an LED.
Heat is a major adversary to LED lighting, and can dramatically reduce its lifespan, alter the quality of the light it produces, and decrease the number of lumens it emits. These retrofit bulbs usually last for about 20,000 to 25,000 hours. Many people discover that they must substitute their belongings annually or even more regularly. It is possible that the problem is caused by the light fixture not being made to work with LEDs and not letting heat escape. This shortens the life of the retrofit bulb.
Color & optics
The majority of customers express their aversion to the chilly blue glow associated with LED bulbs. It’s simple to customize this feature, and you can select color temperatures as low as 2700 Kelvin. The shade that is produced by the fixtures is affected by the color temperature rating of the LED lighting. As the temperature decreases, the white light becomes warmer; conversely, if the temperature increases, the white light becomes cooler.
2,700 K emits a pleasant glow, making it suitable for use in outdoor lighting. LED lights can be set to provide a neutral white hue at 3,000 K or a cooler white tone at 4,000 K, making them a great choice for moonlighting landscapes or trees.
Most LED bulbs have a 2,700 K range, which is a warmer glow than the 3,000 to 3,500 K range most consumers are used to with MR16 halogen bulbs.
The optics options with LED are vast. The lighting fixtures are capable of producing particular brightness levels along with interchangeable lenses capable of spreading or diminishing the light as is required for the right look.
A clear lens might be used to focus a narrow beam to get the desired effect if a big tree is lit up. For small shrubs, a wide, diffused light source directed by a lens will create a gentle, gentle illumination that is limited to the small area surrounding the shrub.
Combining the use of light dispersion, and different hues of light, various tones can be produced to achieve a noteworthy landscape lighting effect. For instance, a 3,000 Kelvin temperature can be chosen for path or task lighting, a 2,700 Kelvin warm temperature for the surrounding shrubs and low-lying plants, and a 4,000 Kelvin for the overhead canopy of trees for generating the effect of moonlighting.
As well as the bright white lighting, there is also the possibility of using steady colors such as red, green, blue or amber that typically appear in business areas or for special lighting. The general appearance can transform an ordinary yard into a magnificent garden featuring various layers.
Environmental effects
LED luminaires of high quality are so good at radiating heat that they can be comfortably held in the hand and won’t burn any of the vegetation in a garden setting. Compared to halogens that generate up to 300+ degrees above regular body temperature, LED lighting typically requires only 10 to 15 degrees more than body temperature to operate.
LED lamps do not emit infrared or ultraviolet radiation, thus eliminating the worry of any possible harm to plants and trees due to light directed from under their leaves.
Another plus in terms of the environment is that LED production is kept to a minimum since they last a long time, thereby reducing the environmental impact. The combination of its efficient use of energy and its lack of disturbance of natural nighttime activators such as bats make LED an environmentally friendly illumination source.
Installation & maintenance
LED luminaires require less wattage than other lights, so one can install a system with fewer and smaller electricity transformers, along with 4-5 times as many light fixtures, which minimizes the need for wiring runs.
The setting up of low-voltage systems is often faced with the difficulty of dropping the line voltage. This happens when a cable line is extended in length and the voltage will decrease as more fittings are connected to the wire. A halogen system generally restricts each wire run to just three or five lighting fixtures, meaning more wiring must be installed, greater labor costs, and a larger potential need for troubleshooting. Reduction of voltage along the circuit in a halogen lighting installation can decrease the intensity of the light emitted over its length. If the amount of fittings that are linked to a cable run is too large or the cable length is too long, then the first fitting will likely output 100 percent of its projected lumens, the second fitting will output 80 percent, and the last one will only reach around 50 percent or less.
Little concern needs to be paid to the reduction in voltage when using an LED system. LED luminaires have a minimum required voltage to operate. Some may have a power requirement of only 9 volts, while others may need a higher voltage, such as between 12 and 15 volts. The lumen output of the first LED luminaire on a run will be the same as the lumens of the last one, if the minimum voltage is reached. This differs from the Halogen systems since the LED lighting apparatus contains an incorporated power supply (a driver) which keeps constant current at the prescribed amperage that is required for the LED light engine, and maintains that amperage for each lamp.
An example of LumaNIGHT Exterior LED Luminaires (with 3 diodes and a usage of 4.5 w) requires a minimum of 9 volts to function. No matter the length of the run, the lumens provided by the first and last luminaire will be the same, provided that the power supplied does not dip below 9 volts.
LED systems allow up to 20 to 35 or even more lights to be connected to the same wire route, whereas halogen based ones may only connect three to five in the same location. The amount of light fixtures is still based on the diameter (measurement of the wire) of wire and the length of the wire running.
LED fixtures require no upkeep during their lifetime apart from minor alterations in the direction of the light as the flora gets larger and expands.
Less expensive over time
It is easy to overcome any resistance to the initial cost of LEDs when you compare it to the cost of traditional systems. The advantages of LED systems, such as cost-effectiveness due to energy efficiency, quick and easy installation, low maintenance, great lighting quality, various optical options, and exceptional longevity, greatly exceed the small 25-30% price increase over other lighting systems.
LED lighting systems require minimal daily operating costs due to their ability to be 80 to 90 percent more efficient than other low-voltage systems, which in turn are already 60 to 70 percent more efficient than traditional high-voltage systems. LED landscape lights typically consume 3-7 watts of energy each, while Halogen MR16 bulbs can use between 35-50 watts a piece. By choosing LED lighting, you can get a great selection of designs, a more eco-friendly landscape lighting system, cost-effectiveness and minimal upkeep.
How Much Does Landscape Lighting Cost?
The amount you shell out for outdoor illumination will be determined by the kind of lighting you put in and if you require a specialist to set it up. One must also take into account the dimensions of their outdoor area and any existing light fixtures.
Can I Install My Own Landscape Lighting?
It all comes down to the kind of illumination you select and where you put it. An experienced home improvement enthusiast may be capable of exchanging a current electrical fitting, but putting in a fresh fitting in a place where it had never been before is best left to a professional. A wide selection of low voltage and solar power products are available, allowing DIYers to easily put together their own unique projects. If you have any uncertainty about whether you would be able to complete the job, contact an expert. Making mistakes with electrical work can be quite hazardous and pricey, so should be avoided. A professional plumber or gas lighting specialist must be employed to take on the task of either replacing or fitting a new gas apparatus.
Landscape Lighting Trends
New developments in technology combined with the rising preference for spending time in the outdoors has led to increases in the number of landscape-lighting options that are available, ranging from stylish traditional lanterns to luminous spheres. Discover the latest trends in landscape lighting!
- Portable lighting We’re talking more than just lanterns, candles and tiki torches. LED wireless “lamps” come in a variety of sizes and shapes — cubes, globes or oval river rocks are the most common. These glowing orbs and cylinders can serve as art or furniture as well as lighting. Many of these lights run on smart technology so you can program timing, color and brightness. Plus, they are waterproof so go ahead and place them poolside or in a water feature. Other portable options to keep an eye out for are floor lamps, table lamps and hanging lightbulbs — these are portable lightbulbs that you can hang on a hook, perfect for camping.
- High-end fixtures that look like fancy indoor lighting: Whereas a lot of landscape lighting is hidden, front porch lanterns, sconces and overhead fixtures are out in the open for all to see. So, homeowners are splurging on more stylized lighting that makes a statement and heightens the home’s architecture.
- Color changing lights: Lighting up your landscape in various hues for holidays and special occasions is easier than ever. Options range from bulbs to fixtures. They are DIY friendly, often Bluetooth enabled and most operate off a remote or app. There are several low-voltage and solar path lighting kits, spotlights, outdoor lamps and even 100’ long LED strip lights that can be programmed to flash to the beat of your music. Smart LED color-changing lightbulbs start around $15 and can be installed into most existing fixtures.
- Moonlighting: This type of lighting came on the scene a few years ago and is still gaining in popularity. Moonlighting is downward-facing floodlights that are meant to mimic natural moonlight. It is most often placed high — about 20’ to 25’ — in a tree to cast dappled light through the tree’s canopy. This type of lighting is more about being attractive and setting a mood and less about safety or security.
- Dark-sky-friendly lighting: Light pollution makes it impossible or nearly impossible to see the night sky in populated areas. Plus, too much artificial light can affect human health, wildlife and is a waste of energy. Many communities are implementing dark sky initiatives and codes to regulate light pollution. Dark-sky-friendly lighting is shielded (points downward) and contains minimal blue light. Blue lights brighten the sky more than any other color. The International Dark Sky Association (DSA) suggests using lighting that is warm or a lower color temperature — no more than 3,000 Kelvins (the higher the Kelvin, the bluer it is). When shopping for new lighting, look for the Dark Sky Approved seal. The DSA provides a list of manufacturers that sell dark-sky-approved products.
- Hardscape lighting: Over the last few years homeowners are increasingly investing in their outdoor living spaces. They’re building more permanent hardscaping like retaining walls, staircases, fireplaces and outdoor kitchens. So, it only makes sense that they’re going to integrate lighting into these structures. Hardwiring the hardscaping as it is being built is the ideal situation, but if that’s not an option, it is likely that low-voltage and solar lighting can be retro-fitted.
