Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Lighting

Have questions about landscape lighting design, installation, energy efficiency, maintenance, or choosing the right fixtures for your property? You’re not alone. Homeowners throughout the Sierra Foothills often have questions about how professional outdoor lighting works, what goes into a well-designed system, and how to get the best long-term value from their investment.

At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Sierra Foothills, we specialize in designing, installing, and maintaining low-voltage outdoor lighting systems tailored to each property. Below, we’ve answered some of the questions we hear most often to help you better understand your options and what to expect when planning an outdoor lighting project.

Not sure what your property needs? Schedule a complimentary lighting consultation with our team to discuss your goals and explore the possibilities for your home.

How much does it cost to install landscape lighting? 

At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we believe in delivering a lighting design based on your specific needs. Our lighting designers are trained by the best, and we are the biggest name in outdoor lighting. Award-winning design, professional installation, and worry-free maintenance go into every proposal that we write. Pricing will vary based on the size and scope of work. The great news is that we offer FREE consultations with our award-winning designers. Our designers will walk your property and provide you with a proposal that will meet your lighting needs. Contact us for a lighting consultation today.

Will outdoor lighting spike my electricity bill? 

At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we focus on low-voltage LED outdoor lighting. Why is that awesome? Low-voltage LED lighting operates primarily between 12V-22V. A transformer is installed, and that transformer steps down the voltage from your home's 120V receptacle to the 12V-22V operating range of our fixtures. What that means for our clients is a highly efficient low-voltage LED system that delivers excellent lighting with a fraction of the supplied energy. In some cases, we can convert older halogen-based landscape lights to LED, and you can see an 80% reduction in energy use. Putting this into context, each fixture averages 7W x 10 fixtures = 70W bulb. The entire system is running around the same price as it takes to run your house lamp.

Are LED landscape lights worth the extra upfront cost?

 Absolutely, YES! Especially if you are converting from an older halogen or filament/incandescent light bulb. LED bulbs/diodes often have lamp-hour usage of up to 10-35 years. It is important to note, however, that not all lighting fixtures and bulbs are the same. Be sure to do your homework. There are some lighting companies that will install integrated and non-serviceable lights. That means that when that light fixture fails, you will most likely have to have the entire fixture replaced. At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we install either integrated serviceable fixtures or fixtures with drop-in bulbs. These types of fixtures are serviceable, and less expensive components can be replaced. An integrated serviceable lighting fixture or a drop-in bulb fixture is better value in the long run.

What is the difference between line voltage and low voltage? 

The power feeding your home is often referred to as line voltage or home voltage, and this standard household power is 120V. In most cases, this power must be contained in conduit and buried deep in the ground. Low voltage is defined as 50V or less. In California, you should work with either a C10 or C7 electrician who specializes in this type of low-voltage installation. At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we are licensed, bonded, and insured electricians, and we install transformers to step down your home's 120V power to an operating range between 12V and 48V. Because we are operating in a low-voltage range, we use what is known as 12/2 direct burial wire, making it safe for direct burial in shallower trenches. This line wire provides the power to the fixtures on the circuit.

Why did my entire landscape lighting system stop working?

 Total landscape lighting system failure stems from one or more of the following five issues: 1. The breaker on your home or business breaker panel is thrown to the “Off” position. If yes, you will need to flip the breaker completely “Off” and back to the “On” position. 2. The transformer is either unplugged or the GFCI has been tripped. If yes, you must plug in your transformer and reset the timer, or press “Reset” to repower your GFCI receptacle. 3. The transformer’s internal circuit breaker has been thrown to the “Off” position. If yes, flip the transformer’s internal circuit breaker to the “On” position. 4. The timer is faulty, or the batteries in it need to be replaced. If yes, replace the batteries, or replace the timer and reset the control times. *5. The terminal screws became loose, and one or more of the load wires have come loose from their terminals. If yes, reconnect the load wires and energize the system. Note – It is recommended to contact Outdoor Lighting Perspectives if you see an exposed wire that is not contained in a terminal for an immediate repair.

What kind of warranties do you offer on fixtures and bulbs?

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives^® is committed to our clients’ satisfaction and providing the best warranties in the industry. When you join the Shine365 program, you receive a lifetime warranty^* (*Restrictions Apply) on your lighting system and priority service from our team.

What size transformer do I need? 

To determine the size of transformer that you need, you will first have to have a lighting design in mind. Your transformer will be sized according to wattage. The most common transformer sizes are 150W, 300W, 600W, and 900W. Most residential properties require a 150W to 300W transformer. At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we calculate the transformer size by determining the sum of all the fixtures designed to operate on the transformer. You should always build in 20% spare capacity to ensure optimal performance, to extend the transformer’s lifespan, and to provide a safety buffer for electrical fluctuations and minor load variations. The quantity of transformers may depend on your use case. In some cases, you may want a transformer in both your front and backyard. It is common to have your front yard lighting on all night, with your backyard lighting turning off around midnight. In that case, we can either install a zone selector or add a different lighting schedule for the front and backyard.

What should the Wattage be for different features? 

There are a great many firms that will talk about the lumen output of a given fixture or bulb. However, when a replacement bulb is required, it is the wattage, kelvin level, and beam spread degree that is necessary to know. Most commonly, a path light will use either a 2W or 3W LED bulb. Smaller bushes and trees usually take 3W to 5W LED bulbs. Larger trees use 5W to 7W LED bulbs. Downlighting or Moonlighting usually takes 1W to 5W LED bulbs depending on the mounting surface height. At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we will come back after the lighting installation to perform a “Nighttime Adjustment”. During this appointment, we will verify the placement and illumination of all the fixtures that are installed. If a location seems like it is too bright or dim, we can increase the wattage of the bulb or adjust the integrated driver to control the lumen output to ensure the best execution of the design.

How far apart should path lights be spaced? 

You will want to avoid the crowded runway look, where your guests feel like they are coming in for a landing on your front path. Instead, stagger the location of the path light every 8-12 feet, alternating from the left and right sides of the path. When lighting steps, it is a good rule of thumb to place a path light every 3-5 steps to make sure that each step has coverage with light. At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, safety is top of mind when delivering a lighting design. Additional light locations for path lights may be in garden beds downlighting beautiful perennials, at the start and end of a path, on stairway landings, and so on.

What are the main landscape lighting techniques? 

At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we implement a variety of techniques to satisfy the desires of our clients. The five most common methods include: uplighting on trees and structures, downlighting that simulates perpetual moonlight, path lighting providing safety and contrast, spotlighting on structural points of interest like statues, vases, pots, and fountains, and silhouetting where light is added behind the point of interest, highlighting the form.

What is the most common landscape lighting mistake? 

We often hear from our clients that they first purchased a lighting package from a box store without first understanding what the lighting design is for their yard. Lighting packages usually have two types of lights, up lights and path lights. Without a design, you may have purchased lights that you do not need. Furthermore, you may feel like you need to use all the lights to get your money’s worth. Instead of a balanced design with depth and contrast, you end up with uneven coverage, harsh shadows, over-lit paths, and blinding glares from seeing the source of light. A consultation with Outdoor Lighting Perspectives will give you award-winning design, professional installation, and worry-free maintenance.

Can I replace just the bulb, or do I need to change the whole fixture? 

Fixture repair depends completely on the type of fixture that you are repairing. There are three main fixture service types: 1. Integrated and non-serviceable – These fixtures are usually less expensive and made from plastic or cast aluminum. As the description states, these fixtures cannot be serviced. Once this style of light fails, it will need to be replaced. 2. Integrated and serviceable – These fixtures are highly efficient in terms of energy usage and light output. They are usually made of brass. They can be serviced, but sourcing the parts can be difficult if you are not a service company. Work with a landscape lighting company like Outdoor Lighting Perspectives to source and repair these fixtures. 3. Drop-in bulb fixtures – These fixtures are made from a variety of materials, from brass and copper to aluminum. Often there is a screw-off, quarter-turn, or set screw lens to remove. Make sure the lighting system is in the off position, and no energy is flowing through the line. Remove the bulb and check the bulb to identify markings that will indicate the type of bulb, kelvin temperature, wattage, and the beam spread degree. Be sure to replace it with the same bulb, replace the lens, and reenergize your lighting system to make sure it is operational.

As part of the Shine365 limited lifetime warranty, our certified technicians will perform an annual quality check of your system to ensure it’s working like the day it was installed.

HERE’S WHAT’S INCLUDED

In the event your system needs service, you are covered for these parts and labor under the Shine365 Warranty:

1. Transformer(s)
2. Brass fixtures
3. Brass, heavy-duty glass covers
4. Low-voltage wire
5. LED bulbs

How can I make my home look elegant without it looking like a commercial airport runway?

At Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, we strive to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients. When we talk to our clients for the first time, we want to know how you use the space. We review locations in your yard that will require some safety considerations. We ask you about areas on your property that you are particularly proud of as points of interest. We design with an artful eye to make sure that your property will have balance and depth. We incorporate many techniques to achieve “The Look” our clients want. Special attention is paid to the current Kelvin temperature of your home’s lighting and the color of your home to pair the correct color temperature/Kelvin level of light. Beam spreads are selected to optimally light the point of interest we are illuminating. Lights are positioned to avoid seeing the source of light from the street or the home/business. The design is not complete until we perform a nighttime adjustment with our client and we receive approval.

Our certified technicians will perform an annual quality check of your system when you join the Shine365 program. This ensures that your outdoor lighting system not only looks beautiful but is functioning properly.

How do your fixtures handle moisture, rust, and lawnmowers?

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives partners with only the best lighting fixture manufacturers. REDWOODS Landscape Lighting is our premier line. These fixtures are made from virgin, non-recycled brass that is machined and not cast. The result is a fixture that will not rust, and it will hold up against your landscape crew, who, after encountering them, will want to avoid them. They have a minimum of one marine-grade O-Ring to stop the passage of water, with a minimum of an IP65 rating, holding up to storms and regular water irrigation. The optic/lens is made of flat borosilicate glass. The hardness is just below crystal and allows for heavy scrubbing to bring back shine and clarity. They meet UL-1838 certification for the USA.

Have More Questions About Outdoor Lighting?

Every property is different, and the right outdoor lighting system starts with understanding how you use your space, the features you want to highlight, and the look you want to achieve.

Our lighting designers can walk your property with you, answer your questions, and develop a customized lighting plan that balances beauty, safety, functionality, and long-term performance.

Whether you’re considering a brand-new landscape lighting system, upgrading existing lights, or need help maintaining or repairing your current system, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives of Sierra Foothills is here to help.

Ready to see what professional outdoor lighting could do for your property? Request your complimentary lighting consultation today.

Request Your Free Lighting Consultation