Take a load off: Converting your outdoor lighting system from halogen to LED
There are a number of reasons why you might be looking to convert your outdoor lighting system from halogen lamps to LED lamps.
You may want to cut down your energy bill, you might want to expand your outdoor lighting system, or you could simply want to have something that will cut down routine maintenance.
Whatever the case, there is no downside to retrofitting your outdoor lighting system with LED lamps!
Save money with LED
LED outdoor lighting uses significantly less electricity than traditional halogen lighting.
In fact, low-wattage LED outdoor lights can use up to 80-90% less energy than halogen systems. This is because LEDs are much more efficient at converting electricity into light.
The lower energy usage of LED outdoor lights can lead to significant savings on your electricity bill.
In most cases, the average outdoor lighting system electrical bill can be lowered to as low as $3.00 to $5.00 per month by converting to LED.
Cut down on lamp replacement and routine maintenance
The overall cost of replacing lamps, and routine maintenance, is reduced when you switch to LED.
With a halogen system, your lamps need to be replaced about every year or so.
Switching to LED lamps, on the other hand, eliminates the number of times you have to replace lamps in your system.
Most reputable LED lamps on the market today are rated to last for at least 10 years, with a 5-year replacement warranty.
A high-quality LED lamp is designed to last.
While LED lamps may cost more upfront, they will pay off very quickly.
It should be noted that switching to LED lamps does not completely eliminate the need to service your system and keep it in optimal operating condition.
Adding more lights to your system
Converting your lighting system from halogen lamps to LED lamps will also take an electrical load off your overall lighting system, allowing room to add more lights.
Let me explain how adding more lights to your system works.
With any given lighting system, there is a limit to the amount of wattage it can handle. For example, a 300-watt transformer can only support 260 watts without overloading.
Halogen lamps typically use 20-35 watts each. This means that a halogen system with a 300-watt transformer can only support 8 to 13 lamps/fixtures without overloading.
LED lamps use much less wattage than halogen lamps. For example, a 4-watt LED lamp produces the same amount of light as a 20-watt halogen lamp.
This means that a 300-watt transformer can support 65 LED lamps/fixtures instead of 13 halogen lamps/fixtures.
In other words, converting your halogen system to LED can allow you to add more lights without having to upgrade your transformer.
However, it’s important to consult with a lighting specialist before adding more lights to your system.
There are a number of factors to consider, such as the length of your wire runs, the voltage drop, and the balance of your lines.
Every system is unique, so it’s important to get professional advice before making any changes.
If you’re located in Utah and have questions about LED lighting systems, call us at (801) 440-7647 schedule a free consultation!
Located in Midvale, Landscape Lighting Pro of Utah serves throughout Utah’s residential areas, including Salt Lake City, Park City, Draper, Davis and Utah Counties. Our outdoor lighting portfolio includes projects throughout Utah and beyond.
