How to Enhance Your Outdoor Space with Low-Voltage Lighting

When developing an outdoor space, having the appropriate lighting products – ones that offer both high-quality illumination and the proper safety implementations – truly change the game for delivering a unique and functional outdoor design. Low-voltage lighting has quickly become the preferred outdoor lighting space option, delivering a variety of key advantages over its alternative, line voltage lighting.

Keep reading to learn more about low-voltage lighting: the benefits, uses, and the best outdoor lighting products you can find at Mars Electric. 

What is Low Voltage Lighting?

Low voltage lighting is a type of residential and commercial landscape lighting solution that utilizes a transformer in order to limit the power consumption, giving it the reputation of being a more energy efficient option.

Initially this energy efficient lighting option was developed solely for outdoor usage; however, in recent decades, low voltage LED lighting has become a staple indoors, garnering popularity for applications like track lighting, strip and tape lighting, recessed lighting, and more!

Low voltage lighting – as it suggests from its name –uses significantly less voltage than let’s say line voltage, typically using less than 50 volts of power. While this may not be enough to power an entire stadium, it is the perfect amount for every day, common indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures that add the perfect personality to any home.

Low Voltage Lighting vs. Line Voltage Lighting: What’s the Difference?

For landscape or outdoor lighting uses specifically, you’ll typically hear about low voltage lighting and line voltage lighting. While these two are great for their own unique uses, they are very different and offer specific benefits that are unique to their own purpose.

As we discussed earlier, low voltage lighting typically only uses less than 50 volts of power, whereas line voltage lighting can use anywhere from 120v to 277v, depending on the application. This type of lighting also does not require transformers, which is great when used for outdoor, commercial areas.

Low voltage is the optimal choice for residential projects due to its energy efficiency, whereas line voltage lighting is better for larger property areas, such as a parking lot as it requires more prominent illumination and increased amounts of energy output. 

Both lighting options offer their specific benefits for their respective uses – ultimately, it will come down to your individual project or job that will determine which type of lighting option that works for you. For questions about what type of lighting option is right for you, you can always speak to a lighting expert at Mars Electric who can give you specific recommendations for products and installation. 

Benefits of Low-Voltage Lighting

Low voltage lighting – especially for landscape lighting options, is a common option for a variety of reasons, offering clear benefits that are perfect for both installation novices all the way to professionals. 

Here are our three favorite benefits of low-voltage lighting. 

Increased Energy Efficiency

Arguably the most beneficial reason for choosing low voltage lighting comes down to its energy efficiency. On average, low voltage lighting operates on 12 volts, which, by standard, consumes far less energy than line voltage lighting and helps to reduce the environmental impact, as well as extra electricity cost.

Improved Safety

Low voltage lighting is often the safer lighting option, due to the reduced risk of electrical shock. This is great for homeowners or residents who live in an area with temperamental weather, as low voltage lighting poses less of a fire hazard risk because of the reduction in heat generation. 

Easy Installation

Finally, low voltage lighting is beneficial for its ease of installation and flexibility. Experts and beginners can easily create low voltage lighting designs for landscapes thanks to low voltage’s relatively straightforward instructions and requirements. There’s no need for trenching, conduit installation, or overly expensive extra purchases. 

How Far Apart Should You Place Your Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting?

When creating an outdoor lighting landscape using low voltage lighting, it is important to understand the distance requirements. Typically, you can place lights six to eight feet apart, however, there are several factors that need to be considered when setting it up yourself, including transformer capacity, wire gauge, and general positioning. 

For more information on low voltage lighting distance requirements, speak to a knowledgeable lighting expert at Mars Electric today who can help answer your questions and find you the right products for your project. 

Best Low-Voltage Lighting for Outdoor Settings

Once you’ve designed your outdoor landscape lighting, it’s time to choose the low voltage lighting fixtures. Before deciding, you’ll want to keep in mind three factors that will affect the look, longevity, and overall quality of your outdoor lighting set-up. These factors, including functionality, design, and durability.

• Functionality – Famously, low voltage lighting is a highly functional lighting option due to its energy efficiency, which means over time, you’re saving money on reduced energy costs. 
• Design – Low voltage lighting is a great choice for adding extra detail to a space. Our favorite ways to boost an outdoor space using low voltage lighting is with pathway step illumination, exterior pool lighting, and string lights. 
• Durability – When it comes to longevity, low voltage lighting is the perfect option. On average, low voltage LED lighting can last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 hours – much longer than incandescent bulbs, giving you a great return on investment.

Fortunately, the experts at Mars Electric have the expertise and training to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, when you need it. Our extensive selection of high-quality, long-lasting low voltage lighting products are available both online as well as in our brick-and-mortar locations, giving you that extra level of convenience.

Choose the outdoor lighting option you’re looking for, including:

• Accent lights
• Path lights
• Deck lights
• Flood lights
• And more!

For even more options, check out our lighting showroom to help you find the right fixture for your next project. 

Find Low Voltage Lighting Products at Mars Electric

If you’re ready to find the low voltage lighting option for your next project, Mars Electric has you covered. Since 1952, we’ve been the full-service distributor of electric supplies for Northeastern Ohio and continue to work with our customers, delivering the same attentive, one-on-one customer service we’re known for. 

To find the best low-voltage lighting for your outdoor settings, contact the Mars Electric team today!