What kind of Lighting Maintenance do we offer?

• Evening Shadows offers full service on the installation and repair of outdoor lighting systems. We will design, install, and maintain your lighting system.

• Maintenance options include:

  • Scheduled evening appointments to straighten and adjust fixtures.

  • Modifications to system and fixtures as landscape matures

  • Check transformer for proper voltages

  • Check and adjust operation of timers and switches

  • Manufacturer warranties apply

  • Evening Shadows offers a 3 year warranty on workmanship

What does Low-Voltage mean?

• Typically, your home electricity utilizes 120 volts to operate many of the electrical components within the home: lights, outlets, appliances.

• When speaking about landscape lighting, low voltage means using 12 volts to operate the landscape lighting.

• When installing a low voltage lighting system, we use an “appliance” or transformer which reduces the voltage from 120 volts to 12 volts. The landscape transformer usually plugs into an existing home outlet, in a similar fashion to an appliance. The landscape wire is then connected to the transformer which provides the 12 volts to the outdoor fixtures.

What is LED?

• LED stands for “Light Emitting Diode.” LED’s produce light, less heat, and last much longer than the typical incandescent bulb. They use approximately 70% less electrical consumption to produce the same amount of light output as the incandescent bulb. LED’s have also become the leading choice in the “Green Industry.”

How much does Low-Voltage Lighting Cost?

• Low voltage packages are available for everyone’s budget.

• LED packages are more costly at the installation phase but are less expensive to operate. Incandescent packages, although usually cheaper with installation, are more expensive to operate and have higher maintenance costs.

• Evening Shadows will help advise every client as to which package is best for you. Typical lighting packages start at $1,500.

Is Low-Voltage as Bright as Regular Voltage?

• Yes, low voltage light is absolutely as bright as regular light. It’s not the voltage that determines the brightness of the fixture. Wattage, the unit of power, is the measurement of bulbs and LED’s. A LED uses less wattage to produce the same amount of light output than an incandescent.

What are the Basic Components of a Low-Voltage System?

• The Transformer, a Landscape wire, and Landscape fixtures

• Most of the transformers we install are of stainless steel construction, having the capability of being mounted either inside or outside of the home, resistant to rust. Ideal locations for mounting are the garage, pool house, basement, pool equipment areas, and sheds. Evening Shadows will help choose an area for location of the transformer.

• We take into consideration factors such as: distance to fixtures, electrical design calculations such as wattage and voltage drop across the circuit. We also choose not to install the transformer where it may be highly visible to family and friends.

Is Landscape Lighting Expensive to Operate?

• LED landscape lighting is cheaper to operate than incandescent landscape lighting. LED uses approximately 70% less electrical consumption than an incandescent. For example, a 20 watt bulb can be replaced by a 4 or 5 watt LED and have a similar light output.

• TEN LED landscape fixtures consume about the same electricity as ONE 60-watt bulb!

Does LED have a Blue Tint?

• Not with our high quality landscape fixtures. 

• Through experience, we have learned to rely on only high quality LED fixtures from several high quality manufacturers. Like anything produced, quality is different amongst manufacturers. We pride ourselves on using fixtures that produce a quality light often described as “warm white” or “cool white.”

Can my Existing System be Converted to LED?

• On many occasions, yes. It is always best to consult with a representative from Evening Shadows to discuss the best possible options available for your lighting design.

How are my Lights Operated?

• The lights can be operated by a timer, photo sensor, switch, or in combination to turn lights on and off throughout the year.