Potential Downsides To Using Low Voltage Outdoor Lights

Whether you're looking for some outdoor walkway lighting ideas or need to install a new deck or patio light, you might be considering low-voltage options. Low-voltage outdoor lights can be appealing because of their ability to help you reduce your energy costs at home as they are more efficient than their high-voltage counterparts. Low-voltage lighting is also often easier to install, so you may feel more comfortable taking on this task as a DIY project instead of paying for an expensive electrician.

However, while there are certainly some benefits to choosing low-voltage outdoor lights for your yard, there are also some downsides to consider, like it needing a voltage converter box and the bulbs releasing a dimmer glow. Taking a closer look at these downsides along with other considerations can help you decide if low-voltage outdoor lighting is right for you.

One of the biggest downsides of choosing low-voltage lights for your outdoor space is that they will need a transformer in order to work. The transformer is necessary because it converts the standard 120-volt lines into 12-volt lines, which is what makes it acceptable for the electrical wires to be run along the ground without violating local codes. Because you can't have low voltage lights without a transformer, you will have to find a spot for it in your yard. Transformer boxes aren't huge — most have a width and length under 10 inches — but they aren't exactly attractive either. You'll need to think about how visually appealing a big black or silver box will be in your space and how you might be able to disguise it.

The need for a transformer isn't the only potential downside to low-voltage lights to consider. These lights are also typically dimmer than their higher line-voltage counterparts. As the electricity is run through the transformer to reduce the voltage, it sometimes results in a loss of energy, which can create a less brightly-lit space. Voltage drop is another problem that can leave your outdoor lights dimmer than you might wish. This is an issue that will be more likely when the wires being run from your lights to the transformer are longer. The bulbs that are farther away from the transformer may not get sufficient voltage to illuminate as brightly as others that are located closer to it. Depending on the layout of the space and the reason you're looking to install lights in your garden or lawn, this could pose a potential safety hazard.