Low Voltage Landscape Lighting in Minnesota: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Lights are magical. They can create wonder, twinkling from trees above, or bring visual, and sometimes physical, warmth to a space. They offer security in the darkness, illuminate your path, and extend outdoor living into the evening. Sometimes lighting is a feature, an attention-worthy focal point of design. But most of all, it allows you to see and enjoy the beauty of your lovely patch of earth. 

At Mom’s Design Build, we are dedicated to providing innovative and safe lighting solutions for your home and landscape. One of the most popular and practical options we recommend is low voltage lighting. Whether you’re brightening up your garden or enhancing your outdoor spaces, low voltage lighting offers a blend of energy efficiency, flexibility, and safety. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about low voltage lighting and how it can improve your outdoor experience in Minnesota.

What is Low Voltage Lighting & How Does it Work?

Low voltage lighting operates on a reduced voltage (12-24 volts) compared to traditional household lighting (which typically runs on 120 volts). A transformer sends power through wiring to the fixtures, illuminating them without the dangers associated with high-voltage systems.

By using a transformer to step down the voltage, low voltage lighting is safer, more cost-effective, and more energy-efficient, making it an ideal choice for landscape applications.

Whether it’s highlighting your beautiful garden, illuminating pathways, or setting the mood for outdoor gatherings, low voltage lighting creates stunning effects with reduced energy consumption and minimal risk.

Where is Low Voltage Lighting Used?

Low voltage lighting is widely used in both residential and commercial landscapes. There are many types of LVL that can be installed.

Some common examples of low voltage lighting include path lights along walkways or garden paths, step lights on stair risers or under railings, uplighting positioned at the base of trees, statues, or architectural elements to create depth, downlighting or moonlighting mounted on structures or in trees to cast light downward to highlight spaces, deck and patio lights installed on railings, posts, etc., water feature lighting that are submersible to illuminate fountains, ponds, or waterfalls, and accent lights focused on specific areas or elements to enhance the overall aesthetic and feel of the space.

Having a strategic plan for landscape lighting enhances aesthetics and ambiance, while maximizing functionality of the area to be used comfortably after dark. The overall goal is to enhance the homeowner’s experience while using their space!

The Benefits of Low Voltage Lighting

Safety First

The primary advantage of low voltage lighting is its safety. Because it uses a lower voltage (typically 12-24 volts), the risk of electrical shock is significantly reduced compared to traditional 120-volt systems. Our expert, Chris, who has over 35 years of electrical experience, humorously mentions that low voltage systems are so safe that he’s put the wires in his mouth with no issues! While we don’t recommend this approach, it does highlight how low voltage systems prioritize safety. These systems are designed for safety, even when installed outdoors or in damp environments like poolside or near hot tubs, using UL 379-listed equipment.

Flexibility in Design

One of the key advantages of low voltage systems is that they are easy to expand. If you decide to add more lights in the future, you can simply connect additional fixtures to the existing system. The system’s flexibility makes it ideal for homeowners who want to evolve their landscape lighting over time.

Energy Efficiency and Savings

These systems consume significantly less power than standard lighting options and given the reduced energy consumption, the long-term savings on utility bills make low voltage lighting the best option for landscape lighting.

Low voltage lighting is particularly energy-efficient when paired with LED bulbs, which we exclusively use unless otherwise specified. LED bulbs use a fraction of the energy that halogen bulbs require, leading to substantial savings over time. Plus, they have a much longer lifespan—up to 25,000 hours—compared to traditional halogen bulbs, which last only around 1,000 to 2,000 hours.

LED vs. Halogen Bulbs: What’s the Difference?

Low voltage systems can use both LED and halogen bulbs, but the LED option is far superior. Here’s why:

• Longer Lifespan While Using LESS Energy: LED bulbs use significantly less power and last far longer than halogen bulbs. While halogen bulbs are typically rated for 1,000 to 2,000 hours, LEDs can last up to 25,000 hours, making them a more sustainable choice.
• Heat: Halogen bulbs generate a lot of heat, which can be a safety concern, especially in family-friendly environments. In contrast, LED bulbs emit very little heat, further enhancing their safety and practicality.
• Dimming and Customization: With low voltage LED systems, you have more options to customize the lighting intensity and even the color temperature, making it easier to create the perfect ambiance.

Indoor Use of Low Voltage Lighting

While landscape lighting is the most common application for low voltage systems, did you know you can also use low voltage lighting indoors? That’s right! Low voltage lighting is versatile enough to be used inside your home to create stunning effects in areas like kitchens, living rooms, or even home theaters. By using zoning and dimming systems, you can easily control the brightness and color of the lights to suit the occasion.

Zoning and Dimming System (ZDC)

Low voltage systems can be controlled using a Zoning, Dimming, and Color changing system (ZDC). With this system, you have:

• Control Over Light Intensity: You can adjust the brightness (or Kelvin temperature) of the lights to match the mood.
• Color Choices: There are over 12,000 colors available, so you can create a personalized lighting experience. Whether you want to set the scene for a romantic dinner with a pink light or show your team spirit for the Minnesota Vikings with yellow and purple, the options are endless.
• Remote Control: You can control your low voltage lighting from anywhere in the world using your smartphone. This means you can schedule your lights to turn on and off, adjust colors, or even synchronize them to music or holidays from your bed or across the globe at any given moment!

Common Issues and How to Avoid Them

Though low voltage lighting is generally trouble-free, there are a couple of issues to keep in mind:

1. Flickering or Dimming Lights

This can occur when the system is underpowered or overloaded. Flickering typically indicates undervoltage, while dim lights suggest overvoltage. Ensuring proper installation is key to avoiding these issues. Chris, our electrical expert, advises that a clamp meter check during installation can help identify the right volt amps to prevent these issues.

2. Fire Risks

While any electrical system carries a slight risk of fire, low voltage lighting is much safer due to its lower power consumption. Additionally, modern transformers come with built-in circuit breakers that shut off the system if something goes wrong—such as a rodent chewing through the wires or a faulty connection.

The Installation Process at Mom’s Design Build

Our professional installation process ensures your low voltage lighting is set up for long-term success:

1. Design the Layout: We work with you to design the perfect lighting setup that aligns with your vision.
2. Choose Fixtures: Our wonderful award-winning designers help you select the right fixtures, taking into account both functionality and aesthetics.
3. Zoning and Dimming: We discuss options for zoning, dimming, and color changes based on your preferences.
4. Prewire During Construction: As your home or landscaping is being built, we prewire the system to ensure it’s ready for the final setup.

At Mom’s Design Build, we provide 1-year warranties on all our installations, so you can rest assured that your investment is protected.

Low voltage lighting is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their landscape lighting in Minnesota. Its safety, energy efficiency, and ease of installation make it a favorite among homeowners. Whether you’re lighting up the outdoors or adding a unique touch to your indoor spaces, low voltage lighting systems from Mom’s Design Build can transform any area into a glowing masterpiece.

Interested in adding low voltage lighting to your home? Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve the perfect lighting solution!