3 Ways to Light the Garden With Less
Lighting in the landscape has become more energy-efficient with the increased use of solar-powered and LED light fixtures. Landscape designs that use minimal lighting are another energy-efficient way to go. Here’s an introduction to energy-saving outdoor lighting choices, as well as design ideas to get you started on lighting your landscape in an energy-efficient — and cost-saving — way.
Solar-powered lights are fixtures with their own built-in solar panels as a charging apparatus. They give you the option of using zero electricity from your home.
LED is short for Light Emitting Diode and is a type of very small light. Individual LEDs are clustered together to create bright fixtures. LED lights are so low-power that their electrical needs are small and work well with today’s low-voltage systems.
Less lighting with low voltage refers to any setup with minimal lighting and where the voltage coming from the house has been converted into a low-voltage setup, usually from 120 watts down to 12 watts of power. A low-voltage setup is now the norm for most residential landscape lighting designs.
It’s usually best to consult with a professional electrician who can install your landscape lighting.
1. Go Solar
Solar lights have dramatically improved in efficiency, reliability, and life span. They’re still less intense than floodlights, so they’re best used as accent lighting, pathway lights or anywhere a subtler wash of light is needed. They work best in a sunny location where they can receive enough sun per day to get a full charge.
Pros: If you’re using solar-powered lights with power units included, you have much more freedom to install lights without regard for their wiring needs.
Cons: Solar fixtures may require more maintenance than other lighting types because the solar panels must have dirt and grime removed periodically to ensure a good charge. Solar lights can still work with a charge from an overcast day, but they perform best with several hours of sun on a daily basis.
Maintenance: Solar lights are somewhat high-maintenance because the solar charging panels need periodic cleaning.
Sustainability: Solar-powered lights are very sustainable when purchased for long-term use because they reduce your energy demands every day, adding up to a huge energy reduction over the years.
Fun fixtures. There are many stand-alone solar-powered lights on the market, and some of them are very inexpensive. You can try these as pathway lights along a walkway or grouped together, the way they’re shown here, to make a brighter cast of light. The fun fixtures in the image also act as special garden ornaments with their textured surface.
Integrated fixtures. On the higher end, more permanent solar-powered fixtures can be integrated into the landscape, as the light fixtures in the stairs are here.
2. Try LEDs
LEDs are here to stay. Most outdoor lighting is moving toward LED fixtures — both solar-powered and not solar-powered — because they have a very long life, produce a variety of color tones, and have a low heat emittance that makes them extremely efficient. LEDs, with so many types available on the market, can be used anywhere. One way to see immediate energy savings is to switch existing halogen lights to LED.
Note: The yellow tone of halogen is better for nocturnal wildlife. If you switch from halogen to LED, find a similar warm-toned light instead of a blue-white tone.
Pros: LED lights are available in a dizzying array of options. Because of their very small size, they can be grouped together to form different kinds of fixtures, such as linear strips, that fit where other fixtures can’t. LEDs last a long time and do well in cold climates.
Cons: LED fixtures are more costly for homeowners compared with traditional bulbs.
Maintenance: LEDs are very low-maintenance because they last so long; bulbs need to be changed only every 10 years or longer.
Sustainability: LEDs are a sustainable choice for two main reasons: One, they produce less heat than their halogen counterparts, which makes them use less energy to produce the same amount of light, and, two, they last far longer than other types of lights.
Embedded fixtures. Pictured here is an LED strip embedded below concrete slabs. The LEDs are contained in a strip to create this sleek line within the poured concrete path. The path was likely poured in two separate sections, leaving just a small gap large enough to fit the LED strip. LEDs for paving also come as modular paver units. Each unit is self-contained with its own solar panel, which means it doesn’t have to be wired to your home’s electricity.
Underwater fixtures. LED fixtures are also a great choice for wet and submerged environments, such as a swimming pool, pond or water feature. They are available in fully waterproofed cases, and their long life span means they’re less maintenance over time. The LED pool lights here create a glowing blue body of water.
3. Be Minimal
A minimal lighting setup is perhaps the best option for using less energy overall. There’s really no need to constantly light your whole garden on a nightly basis. A minimal setup can use any type of bulb. The key is to strategically light only what’s necessary.
Pros: A minimal setup requires less energy and less stuff. You will have fewer fixtures to buy and maintain, which ends up saving you money. Minimal lighting is also better for nocturnal animals and migrating birds.
Cons: It’s tough to have a minimal setup that can also accommodate a big backyard party or show off your holiday display. For those instances, select temporary lights that can provide the illumination you need for short periods.
Maintenance: A minimal setup on low voltage is one of the easiest to maintain because there are fewer fixtures and bulbs to replace over time. A low-voltage setup does rely on wires buried within your garden. If a wire is cut or snagged, it will have to be rewired.
Sustainability: A minimal setup is the most sustainable when used in combination with LED fixtures, solar fixtures, or both.
String lights for temporary use. This creates a lighting effect that can be used only when needed — hosting friends and family for a gathering or when the space is being used at night. The string lights are easy enough to take down in case of a big storm and waterproof for outdoor use to withstand the rain.
Special fixtures for important features. The downcast LED lights shown here are embedded in a slick fixture that helps illuminate the walkway. This path is a key part of the garden and probably one of the most important parts to light at night. One way to approach a minimal lighting setup is to invest in one set of high-end lights that illuminates only the most important part of the landscape. Leave the rest alone and focus on what’s most important.