Why Low-Voltage Lighting Is Better Than Line Voltage for Landscape Lighting

What’s the Difference Between Low-Voltage and Line Voltage?

Line-voltage (also called 120V or high-voltage) lighting runs directly off your home’s electrical system — just like your appliances or indoor lights. It requires deep trenching, conduit, and permits for installation.

Low-voltage lighting, on the other hand, uses a transformer to step the power down to 12V — a much safer and more flexible system specifically designed for outdoor environments.

At Ecotek Outdoor Lighting, we exclusively design and install low-voltage lighting systems because they’re better in almost every way for landscape applications.

Reason #1 – Safety Around People, Pets, and Plants


Low-voltage lighting runs at just 12 volts — which is safe to touch, even in wet environments. There’s no risk of shock if a wire is exposed, which is critical around:

  • Pools and spas

  • Children and pets

  • Garden beds

  • Walkways and patios

Line-voltage systems carry significantly more risk, especially in outdoor environments where wires can shift, erode, or get nicked during lawn maintenance.

Reason #2 – Easier, Cleaner Installation

Low-voltage systems require only shallow trenching and don’t need rigid conduit or GFCI outlets at every fixture. That means less digging, less disruption, and cleaner final results.

Benefits:

  • No permits in most residential cases

  • Easier to adjust or expand later

  • Lower labor cost and install time

  • Fixtures can be tucked into tight spaces, mulch beds, and hardscapes

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Reason #3 – Energy Efficiency with Modern LED Fixtures

Our low-voltage systems use LED fixtures that consume as little as 1–10 watts per light — delivering beautiful light output at a fraction of the power consumption of line-voltage systems.

Compared to line-voltage fixtures, low-voltage LEDs offer:

  • 80–90% less energy use

  • Longer lifespan (often 10–15+ years)

  • Cool operating temperatures

  • No bulbs to replace or ballasts to maintain

It’s a smart investment with long-term ROI for homeowners and communities alike.

Reason #4 – Better Lighting Design and Control

Low-voltage lighting gives you access to a huge variety of fixture types, beam angles, and smart control options — from 2700K path lights to RGBW roofline track lighting.

Use with:

  • Spotlights, floods, and well lights

  • Path lights and step lights

  • Color-changing RGBW systems

  • Smart home controls, timers, and zones

Line-voltage systems are bulky, outdated, and limited in flexibility. They’re not built for fine-tuned outdoor lighting design — they’re built to be “on or off.”

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Reason #5 – Lower Long-Term Maintenance and Repair Costs

Line-voltage systems are more prone to corrosion, connection failures, and component wear — especially in Central Florida's humid, sandy, storm-prone environment. And if something fails? You may need an electrician to fix it.

Low-voltage systems are modular and accessible, so repairs or upgrades are simpler and cheaper.

Plus:

  • No special licensing required for adjustments

  • Less wear and tear on components

  • Easier to test and troubleshoot

So Why Do People Still Use Line Voltage?

Mostly because of outdated thinking. In the past, halogen and incandescent systems needed 120V to run at full brightness — but those days are gone.

Today’s low-voltage LEDs outperform old-school setups in brightness, color control, reliability, and efficiency. There's really no benefit to line voltage for residential or light commercial landscape lighting anymore.

If you're being quoted for a 120V system today, it's worth asking why — and whether that contractor is up to speed with modern lighting standards.

Want a Safe, Modern Outdoor Lighting System?

At Ecotek, we install low-voltage lighting systems across Central Florida that look incredible and work every night — without the risk, mess, or high energy cost of outdated line-voltage setups.

We offer free consultations and live demos so you can see the difference for yourself.

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Low-voltage lighting is safer, smarter, and better-looking — and it’s all we do. Fill out your contact details below, and we will be in touch to schedule the next steps.