When it
comes to garden lighting solutions there are plenty of types currently on the
market. The most typical lighting installed in most gardens is incandescent
light, which provides a brilliant light, but also uses oodles of power. When one
is “up lighting” a tree many people would select a flood or spotlight, but
again these use lots of power. Some 12 volt halogen lights are also effective.
But these also have downsides. For example the more lights installed, the more
transformers you need, plus the globes also need replacing fairly often, which can be expensive.
But now there is an substitute that is both environmentally sound and looks incredible
in the garden. Called LEDs, or Light Emitting Diodes, these are the lights you
see in the phone or computer. They last for a extended time and can also be
used for fantastic things within the garden.
LEDs work very in a different way from standard lights. Unlike traditional
light globes, they don't have a filament, because the light is produced by
electrons. This means they don't burn out, they give a softer, more ambient light
that uses little electricity.
Installing LEDs is comparable to other garden lighting, but they are more
versatile. For example Barrel LEDs work well when highlighting garden art. They
shine light on the art piece and create shadow behind. Another idea might be to
highlight the trunk of a tree. These lights cast a beautiful but soft light and
last for something like 23 years.
Another favourite is the LED button lights. These can be used under glass
panels and within stepping stones through the yard. This provides safe access
through the garden, and also looks dramatic. These lights are also fully water
submersible so can be used in a water feature to create interesting effects.
The LEDs have been powered by a transformer. The transformer reduces the 240
house power supply to a 12 volt system. For example a 150 watt transformer can
run up to 600 button lights. These lights don’t need an electrician to install
them. Just use a heavy duty speaker wire to connect the LEDs. Another advantage
about being low voltage is that they can be placed almost anywhere in the
garden. Just cover with some mulch, and if you're concerned that you might damage
the wire, run it through a piece of conduit, to make sure you can't put the spade through it.
With normal use LEDs use little power compared to standard lights and can be up
to nine times cheaper to run.
But LEDs do have a couple of downsides. Compared with average garden lights,
they are quite expensive. And a bright light in the garden, such as a
floodlight, might wash out the LEDs and they may not be as effective. But the
qualities and advantages of LEDs far outweigh the disadvantages.
