Articles we write that don't fall into any of the other categories.
LED lighting is a relatively new lighting technology. Although the LED was invented over 30 years ago it has only recently been adapted to consumer and commercial lighting applications. With the recent interest in energy-efficient technology and the increase in energy costs manufacturers have been popping up all over who offer LED lighting. However, the quality of the LED lighting products on the market is all over the map and the technology is changing so fast it is hard to keep up.
May 1, 2008
Installing landscape lighting is like almost anything else--a few good tips from a seasoned professional can go a long way. I was recently doing some reading on the subject and found a few tips that seemed useful.
April 27, 2008
As we mentioned in our previous article, installation of in-ground landscape lights requires special consideration. When installing a fixture underground one must take into consideration such items as grade and drainage.
April 26, 2008
Proper installation of inground landscape fixtures is more important than in above-ground applications. This is because the underground environment exposes the fixture to many risks and hazards that are not isues for above-ground fixtures. Before we get into the step-by-step instructions for installing an inground LED landscape light it is important to know some general rules for these types of installations.
February 22, 2008
Our initial relationship with lighting was monogomous--all we had was the sun. As man evolved and technologies were developed it became possible to have light 24 hours a day. But just because we now can have light 24 hours a day and in all places, do we really need it? To answer this question it is important to understand the history, progression, and current use of outdoor lighting in our society. This is especially true as we are facing an increasingly real threat from global warming.
Halogen and LED landscape lighting products are available in varying levels of quality, so its difficult to make generalized comparisons about performance. However, assuming we are comparing a higher-end halogen and LED fixture, an LED will typically last up to 25 times longer. An high-output LED spot light may use up to 13W of power while a comparable halogen model would use about 20Ws. This means that the LED model is about 40% more efficient.
February 19, 2007
LEDs are the most durable and long-lasting lighting technology available. But all LEDs are not created equal and the difference between high quality and long lasting LEDs and average LEDs is all about thermal management.
Although landscape lighting systems require some planning and design there are some simple tips that all installers should remember before moving forward with their landscape lighting project.
The lighting industry is in a pre-revolutionary stage. The incandescent light bulb has been the standard for lighting since it was invented over 100 years ago. In the last 5 years new and revolutionary technologies such as the compact fluorescent and LED have been introduced. Despite the superior performance of these new light sources, many landscape professionals and others are skeptical and reluctant to make a change. This article discusses some of the core advantages of LED over halogen.
