Landscape Lighting, it’s Benefits and Energy Conservation
In an age where energy conservation is of utmost importance, it is our responsibility as professionals to make conscious choices to best conserve our world’s resources.
According to the U.S. Department of energy, making improvements to lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut energy bills. They estimate the average household dedicates 11% of its energy budget to lighting, while the average commercial building dedicates 20%-30%. By utilizing the new lighting technologies available today, consumers could reduce their lighting energy use by 50% to 75%. Additional energy savings could be achieved with the use of lighting control systems, thus reducing the amount of time lights are on but not being used. As well as waste disposal and maintenance costs could be greatly reduced by selecting the proper low voltage lamps and transformers.
The many benefits low voltage lighting offers in energy savings for residential and commercial environments are numerous. Click here to read some more on this topic.
Switching to Low Voltage Landscape Lighting – Why it Makes Sense.
By Steve Parrott
Lower Energy Cost and Better Illumination than 120-Volt Lighting.
Summary:
Low voltage landscape lighting differs from standard 120-volt lighting in many important ways.
- Better efficacy (light output per energy consumed)
- Greater selection of low wattage lamps More controlled light spread and direction
- Better control via timers and photocells
- Better safety and security through using low levels of light over the entire property
- Less light trespass
- Better aesthetics through artistic design
Light Efficacy
When discussing energy consumption in lighting, the term ‘light efficacy’ is often used. This refers to the amount of light (lumens) produced by a unit of energy (watt). ‘Lumens per watt’ is, therefore, the value used to compare how different light sources consume energy.
Of the types of light sources used in outdoor residential lighting, standard 120-volt incandescent lighting has a very low efficacy (about 10 lumens/watt) while 12-volt tungsten halogen lamps have about a 50% greater efficacy (about 15 lumens/watt).
This represents an energy savings of one-third based on the better efficacy of low voltage lamps.
Greater Selection of Low Wattage Lamps:
Typical 120-volt outdoor security lighting uses PAR-type flood lamps rated at between 100 and 250 watts. Even lamps used at entry ways and lamp posts are typically between 40 and 60 watts. Compare this to low voltage lighting, where the most effective lamps are between 10 and 35 watts. The availability of these highly efficient low wattage lamps gives the lighting designer great flexibility in design while maintaining energy efficiency.
More Controlled Light Spread and Direction:
While 120-volt fixtures are typically designed to flood light in all directions, low voltage fixtures are designed for precise control of the light beam. Instead of wasting light energy, the designer directs the light where it is needed.
Better Control via Timers and Photocells:
All low voltage landscape lighting systems are designed to be controlled by timers and photocells. These units can be set to operate lighting fixtures for the precise amount of time needed, rather than operating all night.
Better Safety and Security:
Typical 120-volt flood lighting creates pools of extremely bright light while leaving other areas in complete darkness. Low voltage lighting operates on a better principle – the selective low level illumination of various areas throughout the property. This eliminates shadowed areas where prowlers may lurk.
Less Light Trespass:
Because the illumination from 120-volt lighting is so poorly controlled, this light can shine into neighboring properties (light trespass). Beyond being an annoyance, many communities have adopted ordinances against this. Low voltage lighting fixtures are designed to precisely control the spread of light.
Better Aesthetics:
Perhaps the most compelling reason for switching to low voltage lighting is for its potential to truly transform the homeowner’s nighttime experience.
A talented lighting designer selectively reveals the natural beauty of the landscape and creates beauty through patterns of shadow and light. This is only possible through the use of low voltage lighting.
|
