Whether you want to make your backyard space safer at night, highlight a feature tree or illuminate an entertaining area, outdoor lighting is a smart and stylish solution.
Two of the main options on offer are solar lights and low-voltage lights. But how do you choose which is best for you? From reliability and durability to the impact on your power bill, this article will help you decide on the best garden lights for your Australian backyard.
Outdoor Lighting Can Improve Your Lifestyle and Add Value to Your Home
Outdoor lighting makes your backyard, patio, deck, driveway or entranceway more functional and visually appealing. It can help draw attention to your landscaping and outdoor spaces, making those spaces safer and giving you the ability to use your garden after the sun has gone down.
Outdoor lighting offers security and creates ambience, whether you’re entertaining or simply boosting your home’s kerb appeal.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Solar Lights
Outdoor solar lights use photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert sunlight into electricity, storing the energy in a battery. The PV cells may be integrated into the light itself or connected via a separate solar panel. Some models are available with rechargeable batteries.
The Pros of Solar-Powered Lights:
- Powered by renewable energy
- Easy to install; no wiring is required
- Cost-effective to purchase and run
- Some have a separate solar panel that can be positioned to maximise sunlight
- Offer versatility as they come in many types, from those with motion sensors to outdoor wall lights, stake lights and string lights
The Cons of Solar Lights
- Must be positioned to receive sunlight for many hours each day to work at night
- Have a shorter lifespan compared to low-voltage lights
- High-quality solar lights need their batteries replaced every few months
- Batteries in lower-quality models are not replaceable, so don't provide a long-term solution
- Not environmentally friendly
- May only provide continuous dim light or illumination for part of the night, depending on battery capacity, sunlight and motion sensor features
The Advantages and Downsides of Low-Voltage Garden Lights
Low-voltage garden lights require a standard power outlet to work. They operate using a transformer and low-voltage cable to convert 204V household power into safer 12V power.
The Pros of Low-Voltage Garden Lights
- Offer reliable and consistent brightness
- Versatility in design, from fairy lights and festoon lights to spotlights, pool lights, deck lights, path lights and outdoor wall lights
- Manufactured using high-quality materials and designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, offering longevity
- Weather resistant, so can be left in place permanently
- Don't require direct sunlight to operate, making them ideal for shaded areas under trees or in outdoor structures
- Various lighting settings are available, e.g. dimming settings or warm white light for ambience
- Low-voltage lights are energy efficient, especially when paired with energy-efficient LED bulbs
The Cons of Low-Voltage Garden Lights
- Access to mains power for the transformer
- Higher upfront cost compared to solar garden lights
- Larger projects may require professional installation. Lights can experience problems like voltage drops if not installed correctly.
- You may have to upgrade your transformer if you decide to expand your lighting system
Solar vs. Low Voltage: A Head-To-Head Comparison
Brightness and Performance: Low-voltage systems provide brighter, more consistent light for longer.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: While solar lights mean no electricity costs, poor-quality lights last only a short time before they are disposed of in landfills.
Installation and Maintenance: Solar lights are easier to install, but batteries may need to be changed frequently. Low-voltage systems require more setup but are a more permanent solution.
Cost Considerations: Solar outdoor lights are cheaper to purchase, but as they don't offer the longevity that a low-voltage system can, low-voltage is more cost-effective over time.
Best Use Cases: Solar path lights are a great decorative lighting solution, while low-voltage options offer a long-lasting solution, particularly for applications such as feature and security lighting.
Choosing The Right Garden Lighting for Your Outdoor Space
When choosing the right power source for garden lights at your home, consider your budget, the size of your backyard and how you want them to function. For example, do you want wall lights on a retaining wall or to add ambient or security lighting to your deck? You'll also need to consider the availability of power.
Mixing solar lights with a low-voltage system can be a great idea. Solar lights are great for places where you don't want to run electrical wiring, like front garden paths or driveways, while low-voltage lighting is more suitable as a reliable, long-term solution, best used for garden structures, in garden beds and around entertaining areas.
Why Fusion Lighting Only Sells High-Quality Garden Lights
At Fusion Lighting, we only sell high-quality garden lights covering a range of applications, from spike lights and wall lights to step lights and hanging pendant lights. We're so confident in the durability of our outdoor lighting that we offer the longest warranties in the industry.
We also offer customised lighting solutions with a free outdoor lighting plan so that you can rest assured you're using the best lights for each scenario and that they'll not only be functional but look great too.
Visit our website to see our full range of low-voltage electric lights or to have us design an outdoor lighting plan for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best voltage for garden lights?
Low voltage 12V or 24V systems are much safer to use outdoors than 240V lighting options as the risk of injuries and accidents like electric shocks is lower if the cables are damaged or wires exposed.
What are the disadvantages of solar-powered lights?
Solar-powered lights have a few disadvantages compared to low-voltage lights including that they don't provide the same level of brightness, and they don't last as long. As they require the sun's energy to operate, installation can be difficult in shady areas without a sunny spot for the solar panel.
Do low-voltage landscape lights use a lot of electricity?
Low-voltage landscape lights don't use a lot of electricity compared to normal home lighting, especially when used with high-efficiency LEDs.
Are solar or LED outdoor lights better?
When comparing solar LED lights to traditional LED lights, solar LEDs are better for the environment as they use renewable energy. However, traditional LED lights are the clear winner when it comes to performance and reliability.
