Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting: Why it's so Popular
Low voltage outdoor lighting sprang onto the scene and into popularity in the 1950's thanks to the ingenuity of a Californian electrical contractor, serendipity and a dinner party attended by President Eisenhower and the first lady. The original outdoor lights were little more than decorated cans and jars containing lights attached to a small battery. The world of low voltage lighting has come a long way since then.
In the new millennium, many types of low voltage (lights run off of 12 volts rather than the 120 volts of a standard home) lights abound. There are LED lights—light emitting diodes evolved from expensive Silicon Valley brilliance to illuminate your yard. Solar lights are the height of simplicity in installation and provide a good option for avoiding complex wiring while supporting a greener lifestyle. And, of course, traditional low voltage incandescent bulbs still exist for more traditional yard lighting.
Style is no stranger to the vast array of low voltage outdoor lighting options and kits. You will find a variety of options exist the moment you enter a query into a search engine or take a stroll through the local hardware store. With low voltage outdoor lighting you can use illuminating bronze flowers, Japanese garden inspired lanterns, simple, traditional flood lights or any number of other innovative and attractive designs for your yard.
Low voltage lighting can have a variety of functions in the outdoor setting. Use them as runners along your driveway, decorations in your garden, light the steps along the walkway to your front door—you name it. The only limit with low voltage lighting is your imagination.
Naturally, with so many choices, it is imperative to map out your lighting goals before purchasing a kit or other low voltage outdoor lighting system. Think about the area you wish to brighten, the style you wish to use and the type of light—LED, solar, incandescent, or fluorescent. Use a tape measure to determine the size and shape of the area that will need coverage and decide which wiring set up works best for your needs. A little planning will take the headache out of the purchase and you will be on your road to enjoying a brighter back yard with the perfect low voltage outdoor lighting set up.