Do you need to increase visibility in your yard at night? If so, adding light around sidewalks and paths can improve safety and beautify your landscape at the same time. Many homeowners enjoy the benefits of LED pathway lighting but some people are choosing solar lights. Which is the best one? Let’s look at both options to help you decide.
LED Light
LED stands for light emitting diode and works on a low voltage power system. Most units operate with a high to low voltage transformer which lowers voltage from standard house current.
Solar Lights
Solar gets its power from the sun. However, most solar lights are not directly sun powered. To provide a consistent source of light, they run on batteries which are recharged by exposure to the sun.
LED Benefits
LED is far more efficient and safer than standard lighting. Should someone accidentally come into contact with a live wire, there would not be a shock hazard. LED requires wiring but you can install bright lights which are very efficient. You have many options with LED pathway lighting, including accent lights and flood lights.
Solar Benefits
Solar lights are the simplest and easiest to install because there are no wires to run. In addition, even though LED uses little energy, solar relies on a free and renewable source of energy. Because you need no wires, you are virtually unlimited on where you can place them.
Solar lights are the perfect lighting solution for cabins and properties where there is no electric power available.
LED Downsides
Standard LED pathway lighting does require wires and this takes some skill. You may need to run a 120-volt power source for the transformer and LED can be more expensive.
Solar Downsides
You may have to eventually replace the batteries. Plus, most solar lighting may not be extremely bright and it is best used for accent lights.
