Landscape lighting designers typically work from the same book. As diverse as houses in America are, there are three primary types/styles of landscape lighting. We’ll shine some light on America’s 3 most popular outdoor lighting techniques in this article.
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Our customers frequently ask us how much their power bill will increase after their new system is installed. Nowadays we’re only installing LED systems so our response is, “You will not even notice it.”
However, back when we installed incandescent systems the power requirements were much greater. While the number was relatively low compared to air conditioning units and the like, we would always provide cost estimates.
This article will show you how to calculate the cost of power for landscape lighting. If you don’t want to do the math we’ve included a handy calculator so you can quickly determine the cost for your system (or any other electrical component for that matter).
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When you set out to purchase fixtures you may be presented with options for bulbs or fixtures with various beam angles. To choose the correct beam angle you must consider the distance between your fixture and your subject. You must also consider the size of your subject area.
Professionals also consider the power of the lamp (lumens) as well as foot-candle. We will not go into professional level detail here, but we will give you the information to make an informed buying decision. We will also provide handy calculators to help you determine the optimum bulb for your specific environment.
It is fairly easy to install lights on the ground around your house but placing moonlighting 30′ up a tree is a different story. In this article we show the homeowner how to professionally install down lighting (moon lighting) using the correct components and techniques.
First of all we assume you have the skills and equipment you need to position yourself in a tree. Installing down lights in trees is risky. If you do not have the skills and equipment to ensure your safety you need to hire a professional installer.
You’ll want to be at least 25′ in order to achieve the appropriate effect. Make sure the fixture will be located where glare will not spill over into the neighbor’s yard and cause light trespass. The ‘beam spread’ of your fixture/bulb as well as the height of the fixture will determine the area that will be lit. If you need help with height and spread use our handy beam spread/angle calculator.
Most homeowners have what it takes to install basic landscape lighting. The job is simple enough; place some fixtures, run some wires, hang a transformer and connect everything. But you can’t just start placing components without a plan. We’ll review how to plan landscape lighting. Once you have the diagram (with accompanying documents) you will have a much better chance of winding up with the system you envisioned.
We are going to assume that you will be installing a simple LED system. This means you will not have to worry about voltage loss and all of the things you’ll need to do to avoid it. If you insist on installing an incandescent system this process will work, but you’ll need to brush up on some of our other articles before you begin.
By far the number one reason we’re asked to install outdoor lighting is to enhance the beauty of property at night. Every system we’ve installed has enhanced the beauty of the home and every single customer has been pleased. But it’s a no-brainer really, outdoor lighting really makes a home shine at night.
When you are low voltage outdoor lighting troubleshooting, voltage drop is a key element to check. Of course there are obvious items to check such as bad connections. But when it comes to ensuring your system will last a lifetime, managing voltage loss is key.
Voltage loss is phenomenon that occurs when electricity loses voltage as it travels down a wire. Your voltage drop will depend on how long your wire is, the thickness of the wire and the number of fixtures on the circuit.
Your fixture should be wired in ‘zones’. This allows you to keep all fixtures in an area the same relative distance from the transformer. Group the fixtures close to the transformer (30′ or less) together, then group the ones that are slightly farther away (30′ to 60′) and finally group the ones the farthest distance (60′ to 100′).
Anyone can purchase a landscape lighting system from a big box store and install it in a weekend. But for the system to look its best and last the longest you’ll need to install it like a pro.
We’ve listed our top landscape lighting tips. Follow these easy steps to make your project successful.
Continue reading Nine landscape lighting tips and steps to install like the pros
There are many ways to mess up an outdoor lighting installation. Most pros warranty their work. They also know the installation pitfalls and realize the value of doing the job right the first time.
Every week we see mistakes made by do-it-yourselfers. These mistakes can drastically reduce the lifespan of a system but they are also easily avoidable.
We’ve put together a list of the biggest and most common mistakes we see in our outdoor lighting installation travels. Take care not to make these mistakes and you’ll be much closer to a long-lasting outdoor lighting system.
Continue reading The biggest mistakes in outdoor lighting installation
Most outdoor lighting systems call for a range of fixtures and styles. It is important to recognize which application will be appropriate for your specific area. Do your best to capitalize on the strong parts of your property. We have listed five of the most popular landscape lighting design techniques below. The best designers employ all of these approaches when they are presented with a comprehensive outdoor lighting project.
Continue reading Five approaches to landscape lighting design
