As you slowly replace the conventional light bulbs inside the house with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to save energy, you may not be applying the same strategy to your landscape lights. Or, if you have taken the step to replace burned out landscape lights with other “energy saving” bulbs, they have rewarded you with sub-par performance and more maintenance than the original lights. With all the hassle, it seems almost easier to just leave the landscape lights off!
When you installed your landscape lighting you may have installed a low-voltage system and you may believe that you are saving as much energy as you can. However, you still have the potential to save more with a different type of light. It all comes down to the wattage of the bulb. Many landscape lights use a 20 -35 watt bulbs. It is very easy to assume that reducing the wattage also reduces the light output. But, reducing the wattage without compromising lighting effects is now possible.
There is no need to compromise your safety or investment in your home.
Keep the lights on with LED landscape lights.
Carlsbad, CA based Ecolink, developer of a new, cutting-edge LED landscape luminaire, breaks down the difference in energy usage between halogen bulbs used in landscape lights and their dimmable LED Accent Light at three different settings.
Annual Energy Annual
Fixture Type Power [Watts] Consumption [kWh]* Cost [$]**
MR-16 Halogen 35 76.65 $10.73
Ecolink Accent Light- High 10.5 23.00 $3.22
Ecolink Accent Light- Med 4.9 10.73 $1.50
Ecolink Accent Light- Low 2.5 5.48 $0.77
*Assuming 6 hours of nightly usage
** Assuming $0.14 / kWh energy cost
Source: Ecolink, March 15, 2012
With LEDs (light-emitting diodes) you can realize a 70%-93% savings in both energy usage and cost.
Tired of replacing bulbs? LEDs also last up to 50,000 hours (approximately 30 years) which means the cost of replacement bulbs is virtually eliminated.
So what keeps us from upgrading to the LED landscape lights? Cost of the fixtures? The bright “white” LED light? Well, Ecolink has taken care of those concerns, too. Pricing has caught up with technology so the pricing of the fixtures are more economical than many lights on the market. Also, the LEDs they use in their fixtures have a “warm” color to mimic halogen light sources. Add the dimming feature to get that “just right” light for any part of your landscape.
Do you have any other reasons for not upgrading your landscape lights to LED? Tell us what you think.
Wellbrite landscape lighting: Repairs and Replacements, Upgrades and Lighting Expansions, Lighting Design and Controls.
