Updating Old Landscape Lighting
Do you have old, outdated landscape lighting?
Is your landscape lighting not shining like it once did? Maybe you moved to a new house that has an existing system, but it doesn’t have the wow factor you were hoping for? Perhaps you’re just frustrated by burnt out lamps and broken fixtures? If so, you’re in the right place! Today, we’re talking about some of the most common problems we see with outdated lighting systems and what can be done to fix them.
10 Common Problems with Outdated Landscape Lighting
As a landscape lighting contractor, we are constantly getting calls to repair and/or replace old, outdated lighting systems. Here are 10 of the most common problems we see with outdated landscape lighting.
FLASHING, FADED, OR INCONSISTENT LIGHT
Flashing, faded, or otherwise inconsistent light can be a sign of bad connections, improper wiring, old wire, wire that has been damaged, or failing fixtures. Solar lights and inexpensive fixtures will fade more drastically and quicker than high quality, professional grade fixtures. If the system is relatively new, this could just be an indication that the lights are of lower quality.
SINGLE OR MULTIPLE LIGHTS OUT
When some lights are out but others are still illuminated, this can be a sign of bad connections, improper wiring, or voltage drop. Proper wire size and length are essential to the functionality and safety of your landscape lighting system. Even though copper wires are fantastic conductors, they still have a small amount of resistance resulting in voltage being lost in the wires as current flows through your landscape lighting system (voltage drop). If lights near the end of the lines are not lit, this could be a sign of voltage drop. If all your lights are out, this could be a sign of an improperly sized transformer. The total wattage of all the landscape lights added together needs to be less than 80% of the transformer’s capacity or the breaker will trip, and the lights will not work.
VISIBLY BROKEN OR RUSTED LIGHTS
Sometimes it is obvious when lights need to be replaced. If several lights are visibly broken or rusted, you may want to consider replacing these lights and even the other lights that are the same brand or of similar age. Landscape lighting fixtures will be exposed to elements like sun, wind, and moisture daily. High quality, professional grade lights that are copper or brass are meant to withstand this exposure. They will develop a patina over time, but they will not rust. Fragility and rust are a sign of poor-quality fixtures that are likely made of aluminum.
BAD CONNECTIONS AND/OR CUT WIRES
Bad connections are the number one cause of failure landscape lighting systems. If the system was installed with bad connections, the lights will eventually fail as the wires become exposed to moisture. In addition, wires will occasionally get cut by landscapers, irrigation specialists, and other outdoor contractors. If this happens, we suggest calling a landscape lighting specialist to ensure proper reconnection.
INCORRECT PLACEMENT/POSITIONING OF LIGHTS
Correct placement and positioning of lights are necessary to achieve an aesthetically pleasing design and for optimal functionality of the landscape lighting system. A working light will not look good if it is improperly placed or positioned. If the lights and equipment are in working order, but the system still looks out of whack, this is a sign that the lights need to be repositioned to achieve the desired look.
OVERGROWN PLANTS & TREES AND BLOCKED LIGHTS
Overgrown plants and trees are a common problem with older lighting systems. Architectural lights will get blocked by overgrown plants and bushes. In addition, accent lights on trees will need to be moved occasionally as trees grow and mature. If this part of maintenance is neglected, the lights will end up looking as if they are improperly placed and the system will look dated.
MISMATCHED/INCORRECT KELVIN TEMPERATURE, LUMEN OUTPUT, AND BEAM SPREAD
If the homeowner is constantly changing lamps or replacing fixtures, the lighting system may end up looking inconsistent and/or unbalanced. This happens when lighting specifications are not considered as new lamps or fixtures are selected for each application. There are three specifications that are important to understand for landscape lighting: Kelvin Temperature, Lumen Output, and Beam Spread/Angle.
Kelvin Temperature (Color)
The kelvin measurement indicates the “temperature” or COLOR of the light. Landscape lighting usually falls somewhere between 2700K and 3000K. 2700K lamps will produce a warmer (more yellow) light in comparison to the bright white light of 3000K lamps. If lamps are replaced with a different color temperature, this will create a mismatch between the color of the new and old lamps.
Lumen Output (Brightness)
A lumen is a unit of measurement for luminous flux or the perceived power of a light (BRIGHTNESS). The number of lumens needed for landscape lighting will depend on the location and intended use of the light. For example, if a light is replaced on one column with a lamp that has more lumens than the other existing lights, that column will shine brighter than the rest. Keep in mind, choosing the same lumen output as existing lights may still cause one column to shine brighter simply because LEDs can fade over time (especially low-quality LEDs).
Beam Spread/Angle
Beam spread or beam angle measures the spread of light (width of the beam) from a light source. As light moves away from the light source, it spreads out and becomes less intense. Consider the width of the object or focal point that is being lit with your existing lights. If a column light is replaced with a light that has a wider beam angle than the rest, the light may not reach the top of the column. This will cause inconsistency from one column to the next.
UNNECESSARY ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Outdated lighting systems with halogen or incandescent fixtures will consume more energy than new LED lighting systems. This will have a negative impact on the environment and cost more money to run each month. For more information about this and to calculate the monthly costs to run a new, low voltage lighting system, check out this article comparing solar and wired LED lights.
Repair or Replace?
Individually, these problems are easily fixable and may even be undetectable by you or passersby. However, a combination of these problems will make your system look outdated and unprofessional.
How do you know if you need to repair or replace your existing system?
Depending on the age of the lighting system and the condition of the fixtures and equipment, you may be able to fix your system by changing lamps, repairing bad connections, and repositioning the fixtures. However, if your landscape lighting is over 15 years old, the wire is bad, or the fixtures are failing (due to age or quality), you may be better off replacing your system. Outdoor lighting has come a long way in recent years. The fixtures and lamps from 15 years ago just don’t compare to what’s currently on the market and you may end up wasting time and money trying to repair a system of that age.
LANDSCAPE LIGHTING DESIGN & INSTALLATION
Considering updating your landscape lighting? Not sure where to start?
You’ve come to the right place! After talking with countless homeowners, we’ve gathered all the information you will need when shopping for a new outdoor lighting system. Get landscape lighting ideas, design advice and inspiration, as well as practical information about choosing fixtures, hiring contractors, and so much more! Download our FREE landscape lighting guide today!
LANDSCAPE LIGHTING CHARLOTTE, NC
Thinking about hiring a professional landscape lighting company in and around Charlotte, NC?
At Limelight, outdoor lighting is all we do! We offer design, installation, and maintenance services and would love to help you design a system that makes the most of your landscape — day and night.
Getting started is simple. Call Limelight Outdoor Lighting at (704) 989-3635 or follow the link below to get a FREE quote for your landscape lighting project.