In recent years, low voltage exterior lighting has made a big splash in the home renovation market, and for good reason. It is new, exciting and offers some great benefits. The question for home owners however remains: Is low voltage lighting better than LED? To answer that question correctly, it is important to look at some of the basic features and benefits of each light source and try to determine which one would ultimately be the better option.
Low voltage lighting incorporates a transformer in the fixture which converts the usual 120 volt current needed to a more energy efficient 12 volts. A 50 watt bulb works perfectly for this type of fixture, and the light emitted is whiter than what you would expect to get with traditional incandescent bulbs. This makes it a preferred option for many homeowners looking for flexible and energy efficient light sources for both their indoor and outdoor lighting needs.
One of the important criteria used to compare LED and low voltage lighting is energy efficiency. It is already clear that low voltage lighting is far more energy efficient that traditional incandescent options. It is, however, important to note even in this case, low voltage lighting is still essentially incandescent. This therefore means LED is more energy efficient. An 11 watts LED bulb will still provide more light than a low voltage bulb of 50 watts. In addition to this, the low voltage bulb will heat up, while the LED counterpart remains cool to the touch.
Color is another important area to look at when comparing between the two. Many people wrongly believe that the low voltage option is better in this case. The truth is that LED offers a better color at a lower voltage as compared to the low voltage option. It is however important to note that LED lights come with a special coat which may break down over time and alter the color of the light. This is especially the case with lower quality products.
Low voltage lighting edges out LED where style is considered. LED style options are limited compared to the low voltage variety where the possibilities are virtually endless. LED lights, however, last much longer (up to 20 years) where the low voltage variety averages a life span of about 7 months. You can get quality low voltage exterior lighting and LED, among other great options, at Touchscape Accent Lighting.
