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Flowery gardens and sculpted lawns bring curb appeal during the day.
And it doesn't take much effort to showcase that same attraction at night.
Lighting, whether inexpensive path lights, or the more elaborate, impressive, expensive landscaped lighting systems, can illuminate trees, bushes, gardens, patios, pathways, stairs, flags, and even homes pointing out what you want others to see (and hiding what you don't).
And while a well-lit lawn may seem like a luxury, it's as simple and affordable as a homeowner wants and needs it to be.
Start with basic-level lawn lighting, solar lights, which draw energy from the sun, store it in batteries, and emit light through low-wattage LED bulbs.
As the technology has improved, particularly the brightness and energy efficiency of the LED bulbs, which last years and now provide close to the same amount of light as standard halogen bulbs, so has the popularity of solar lighting.
What used to occupy a small portion of a store's landscape lighting selection has become the trend in do-it-yourself outdoor lighting, said Wayne Mildenstein, an electrical associate for six years at the Lowe's Sylvania Township location, 7000 Central Ave.
Its a lot cheaper and its a lot easier than other electric-powered lawn lighting, he said. You just stick it in the ground and there it is.
Darrell Smock, a 70-year-old recently retired West Toledo resident, was sold on outdoor solar lighting several years ago for those same reasons. There are now 20 solar-powered lights in his backyard and four in the median in front of his home.
He estimates hes spent $150 on the lighting products in that time, including replacement for the batteries if not entirely new solar lights.
We bought a lot of different ones at different times, he said, but its always been solar powered. We just tried different things. Its cheap enough that you can change it up of you dont like it.
When asked how important the lawn lights were to him, he laughed.
Its more important to Jo, his wife, he said. But its nice to have.
Solar-powered lights arent just for pathways, but can be decorative and fun, like the Gemmy Outdoor Decorative Lantern at Lowes ($15), a Mason jar with a string of 20 tiny LEDs inside meant to resemble fireflies, which can be hung outside or set on a table or windowsill.
But there are some downsides.
Solar-powered lights dont provide as much light as an electric light source.
Solar power shows where a a path is, Mr. Mildenstein said. The wired ones light up the place.
And because solar-powered lights are powered by the sun, cloudy days will keep them from recharging the battery. Its also best to take them out before winter; a winter freeze is not good for the batteries.
And even then, expect to replace the solar-powered lights at least the batteries every two or three years.
The next step up are low-voltage wired LED lights, which combine the lifespan and low-energy of solar lighting but without the hassle of battery replacement or even winter storage. The system requires a transformer, LED lights, and the wiring that connects them, and can be covered by top soil or even mulch.
Its fairly simple to do, said Mike Whitmore, showroom sales lighting specialist for Gross Electric, 2807 N. Reynolds Rd.
A lot of people are afraid of electricity, but with this system its low voltage, as little as only 12 volts, he said. Just pick a location to put in the transformer thats close to the an outlet, then just attach the light to that cable. Its very easily done.
But dont get carried away with lighting up the lawn at least at the beginning, Mr. Whitmore added.
I usually tell people to start out small, dont light everything you see. Pick out focal points: trees, bushes, plants what youll probably want to light because you paid money for people to see them."
The system can also be much bigger, with flood lights in the trees and on the ground, small lights to brighten stairs and rails, underneath statues or other lawn fixtures, and along lengthy pathways.
Theres a lot of different technologies for landscape lighting, depending on what youre trying to do, he said.
Gross Electric has installed lighting systems all over the northwest Ohio, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. But the store also offers a free course a few times a year for those who want to do it themselves.
Thats why were here, he said, to help you lay out the system and all the system pieces and parts.
Contact Kirk Baird at: kbaird@theblade.comor 419-724-6734.
Read more here:
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