Landscape Lighting FAQ: 10 Common Outdoor Lighting Questions Answered

Good landscape lighting transforms your property at night, adding safety, security, and curb appeal. Here are straightforward answers to the outdoor lighting questions homeowners ask most often.

How many landscape lights do I need?

The number of lights depends on the size of your property and what you want to illuminate. A typical front yard uses 8 to 15 fixtures to light pathways, accent key landscaping features, and illuminate the home's facade. A complete front-and-back lighting design might use 20 to 40 fixtures. The goal isn't to flood the area with light but to create layers: path lights for safety, uplights on trees and architectural features, and wash lights on walls or fences. Less is often more with landscape lighting, as a few well-placed fixtures create better ambiance than too many lights creating a stadium effect.

What voltage is best for landscape lighting?

Low-voltage (12V) systems are the standard for residential landscape lighting and are the best choice for most homeowners. They're safer to install and work with than line-voltage (120V) systems, they use less energy, and they produce more than enough light for residential applications. Low-voltage systems run through a transformer that steps down your home's standard 120V power to 12V. Line-voltage systems are really only necessary for very large properties or commercial applications where you need to run power over long distances without voltage drop.

How much does it cost to run landscape lights?

LED landscape lights are extremely inexpensive to operate. A typical residential system with 15 to 20 LED fixtures running for six hours per night costs just a few dollars per month in electricity. LED fixtures use a fraction of the energy that older halogen bulbs consume, and the savings add up over time. Many homeowners set their systems on timers or photocells so lights turn on automatically at dusk and off at a set time, which prevents unnecessary runtime. The operating cost is low enough that it shouldn't be a significant factor in your decision.

Do landscape lights need to be hardwired?

Low-voltage landscape lighting systems do need to be connected to a transformer, which plugs into or is hardwired to a standard outdoor electrical outlet. The transformer and the wiring from your house should ideally be installed by a licensed electrician. However, the low-voltage wiring from the transformer to the individual fixtures is straightforward and safe to work with. Solar-powered landscape lights are an alternative that requires no wiring at all, but they provide much less light and aren't reliable in Quebec's shorter winter days and cloudy conditions. For a dependable system, hardwired low-voltage is the way to go.

What is the best colour temperature for outdoor lighting?

A colour temperature of 2700K (warm white) is the most popular and versatile choice for residential landscape lighting. It produces a warm, inviting glow similar to traditional incandescent bulbs that complements most home styles and landscaping. For a slightly crisper look, 3000K works well on modern architecture and lighter-coloured facades. Avoid going above 4000K for residential use, as it creates a harsh, commercial appearance. Some homeowners use different temperatures strategically, like warmer tones for gathering areas and slightly cooler tones for security lighting, but sticking with one consistent temperature usually looks best.

How far apart should path lights be?

Path lights should generally be spaced 6 to 8 feet apart for adequate coverage along walkways and garden paths. The exact spacing depends on the brightness of the fixtures and the width of the path. Stagger lights on alternating sides of the path rather than lining them up directly across from each other, as this creates a more natural, less runway-like appearance. At curves and intersections, place a light to guide the eye in the right direction. The light pools from adjacent fixtures should just overlap slightly so there are no dark gaps between them.

Can landscape lighting be installed in winter?

Installing landscape lighting in winter in Quebec is possible but comes with challenges. The ground may be frozen, making it difficult to bury wiring and set fixtures in place. However, low-voltage wiring doesn't need to be buried as deeply as high-voltage electrical lines, so installation during milder winter periods is sometimes feasible. Some installers will mount fixtures above ground and run wiring along the surface temporarily, then bury everything properly once the ground thaws in spring. Planning and purchasing your lighting system during winter, with installation scheduled for early spring, is often the most practical approach.

Do LED landscape lights attract bugs?

LED landscape lights attract significantly fewer insects than traditional halogen or incandescent bulbs. Bugs are primarily attracted to ultraviolet and blue light wavelengths, and LED fixtures produce very little of either, especially warm-white LEDs in the 2700K range. While no outdoor light is completely bug-free, switching from halogen to LED landscape lighting typically results in a noticeable reduction in insects around your fixtures. If bugs are a particular concern, warmer colour temperatures attract fewer insects than cooler ones.

How long do LED landscape lights last?

LED landscape light fixtures are rated for 40,000 to 50,000 hours of use, which translates to roughly 15 to 20 years of nightly operation at six hours per night. This is dramatically longer than halogen bulbs, which typically last only 2,000 to 4,000 hours. Quality LED fixtures from reputable manufacturers rarely need bulb replacements. The fixtures themselves, if made from durable materials like solid brass, copper, or powder-coated aluminum, can last even longer than the LEDs. Cheaper fixtures with plastic housings deteriorate faster, especially in Quebec's climate with UV exposure and freeze-thaw cycles.

What is a landscape lighting transformer?

A landscape lighting transformer is the device that converts your home's standard 120V electrical power down to the 12V used by low-voltage landscape lights. It's the central hub of your lighting system, and all the fixture wiring connects back to it. Transformers come in different wattage capacities, and you need one that can handle the total wattage of all connected fixtures with some headroom. Most residential systems use transformers in the 150W to 600W range. Quality transformers include built-in timers, photocells, or smart controls that automate when your lights turn on and off. The transformer is typically mounted on an exterior wall near an outdoor outlet, often tucked behind landscaping where it's out of sight.

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Ready to light up your property? Call us at 514-900-3867 or send photos of your landscape for a free lighting consultation. Montreal Paysagement Pro designs and installs landscape lighting for Montreal homeowners.