Wired landscape lighting can transform the look and feel of your outdoor space. Subtle lighting creates an inviting ambiance and highlights the best features of your yard and garden. Landscape lighting is an investment that pays dividends for years to come in beauty, security and added value to your property. So how long does landscape lighting last before it needs to be replaced? There are a few factors that determine lifespan.
Page Contents
- 1 What is the Typical Lifespan of Landscape Lighting?
- 2 Factors That Shorten Lifespan
- 3 Maximizing Landscape Lighting Longevity
- 3.1 Choose Commercial Grade Components
- 3.2 Hire a Professional Installer
- 3.3 Use Separate Circuits for Lighting
- 3.4 Install a Fault Indicator/Circuit Breaker
- 3.5 Position Lights in Protected Locations
- 3.6 Use Tree Canopy to Shield Wires
- 3.7 Inspect and Test Lights Regularly
- 3.8 Upgrade Old Incandescent Bulbs
- 4 When to Consider Replacing Landscape Lighting
- 5 Cost to Replace Landscape Lighting
- 6 Is an Upgrade Worthwhile?
- 7 Preventative Maintenance
- 8 Conclusion
What is the Typical Lifespan of Landscape Lighting?
With proper installation and reasonable care, the average lifespan of a wired low voltage landscape lighting system is 10 to 15 years. There are LED bulbs available that are rated to last up to 25 years, though most standard incandescent bulbs will need replacement every couple of years. Fixtures, transformers and wiring have an expected lifespan of 10-15 years.
Factors That Shorten Lifespan
There are several variables that can shorten the usable life of landscape lighting components:
Exposure to Weather
Landscape lights installed in areas exposed to full sun and rain will deteriorate more quickly than those in protected locations. Plastic components become brittle and crack over time. Metal fixtures corrode. Repeated freezing and thawing takes a toll.
Cheap, Low Quality Materials
Consumer-grade landscape lighting parts tend to be less durable than commercial components designed for the rigors of outdoor use. Kits sold at big box stores often look flimsy compared to commercial-grade fixtures and wiring. Spending a little more upfront on quality ensures longer-lasting lighting.
Improper Installation
Lights and wiring installed incorrectly will fail sooner. For example, insufficient wire gauge for the lighting run may overheat and short out. Not sealing connections properly could allow water penetration and corrosion. A faulty transformer can damage the entire system. Taking time to install landscape lighting correctly will maximize its lifespan.
Physical Damage
Accidental damage from gardening tools, falling branches or lawn mowers can quickly put landscape lights out of commission. Pet damage from chewing on wires is another possibility. Using tough poly cabling buried at the proper depth avoids many potential hazards.
Voltage Spikes
Power surges and brownouts from the power grid can impact transformers and LED bulbs, shortening their usable life. Installing surge suppressors helps, but will not protect from extreme voltage spikes.
Bulb Burnout
LED bulbs last for years, but incandescent lamps need frequent replacement. The cost of bulbs and labor for ongoing replacements adds up. Switching to LEDs saves money long-term.
Maximizing Landscape Lighting Longevity
You can maximize the lifespan of your landscape lighting with proper installation, regular maintenance and using quality components:
Choose Commercial Grade Components
Invest in sturdy fixtures, 14-gauge direct burial wire, water-tight connectors and a UL listed transformer. Commercial-grade LED bulbs last up to 25,000 hours. Higher initial cost will pay off in years of trouble-free operation.
Hire a Professional Installer
An experienced landscape lighting company knows the proper techniques for a long-lasting system. They use the right materials and avoid rookie mistakes. DIY installations often suffer from improper wiring and connections.
Use Separate Circuits for Lighting
Do not overload the transformer by linking multiple lighting zones on one circuit. Separate circuits prevent overheating and avoid the entire system going dark if one area has a problem.
Install a Fault Indicator/Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker or fault indicator that trips when there is a voltage overload can prevent damage from spreading to the whole lighting system. They are inexpensive insurance against shorts and surges.
Position Lights in Protected Locations
Spotlights aimed upward under roof eaves or downward from trees will have less exposure to the elements. Consider floodlights recessed into walls or steps. Minimize fixture vulnerability.
Use Tree Canopy to Shield Wires
Running low voltage wire through trees avoids burying cable. The tree canopy protects wires from weather extremes, pets, lawn mowers and shovels. It’s an easy, long-lasting wiring method.
Inspect and Test Lights Regularly
Check for bulbs that have burned out, damage to fixtures, wire erosion and moisture in connections. Replace degraded parts immediately to prevent bigger problems. An annual system inspection ensures lighting longevity.
Upgrade Old Incandescent Bulbs
As old-style bulbs burn out, replace them with LED equivalents that use less energy and last years longer. LED retrofit kits are inexpensive and easy to install into existing fixtures.
When to Consider Replacing Landscape Lighting
Even with diligent maintenance, landscape lighting components reach the end of their usable life at some point. Here are signs it is time to consider a lighting system upgrade:
- Frequent bulb failures
- Corroded or damaged fixtures and wiring
- Moisture in connectors causing shorts and flickering
- Sections of lights failing, indicating underground wiring issues
- Fault indicator/circuit breaker frequently tripping off
- Transformer not working properly or lacking capacity for additional lighting
- Higher energy bills from inefficient old incandescent bulbs
- Desire for lighting design update to match renovated landscaping
Replacement does not necessarily mean a brand new installation. Often, the existing buried wires in good condition can be re-used. New LED bulbs and fixtures visually update the system affordably. But if wires are deteriorating underground, then a full lighting replacement may be necessary.
Cost to Replace Landscape Lighting
When replacing an existing landscape lighting system, the main expenses include:
- Permits – $50 to $100
- Transformer – $100 to $250
- New LED fixtures – $25 to $100 each
- Wiring replacement if needed – $2 to $4 per foot
- Labor – $50 to $100 per hour
In total, expect to pay around $2,000 to $4,000 to overhaul an average home’s landscape lighting system. This includes partial wiring replacement, new LED fixtures and bulbs, a transformer upgrade and hiring a professional installer. Larger properties with extensive lighting could run $5,000 to $8,000 or more.
Costs can be reduced by re-using existing wiring and fixtures in good condition rather than full replacement. Install labor accounts for a major share of the expense, so DIY installation also cuts costs significantly but sacrifices expertise and code compliance. Comparison shop among contractors to find the best value.
Is an Upgrade Worthwhile?
Given the 10-15 year lifespan of quality low voltage landscape lighting, a lighting overhaul every decade or so is expected. If your wiring and fixtures are failing well short of that timeframe, substandard installation or materials are likely the cause. In that case, replacement with commercial-grade components will provide many years of additional service.
Even if your lighting system has reached its normal life expectancy, upgrading is almost always a worthwhile investment, providing:
- Dramatically improved appearance and ambiance
- Lower energy costs with LED efficiency
- Increased home value and salability
- Enhanced security and safety
- Reduced risk of damage if wires and fixtures degrade further
- Elimination of frustrating, ongoing repairs
With good quality components properly installed, you should expect your new lighting system to deliver 10 to 15 years of near maintenance-free operation and visual appeal.
Preventative Maintenance
To maximize the lifespan of new or newly upgraded landscape lighting:
- Inspect lights regularly for damage, moisture, etc.
- Test transformer and circuits at least yearly
- Replace defective bulbs and parts immediately
- Seal any breaches in wire insulation
- Keep connections clean and tight
- Install surge suppressors
- Shield and anchor wires from harm
With routine care, your landscape lighting system will exceed expectations for beauty and reliability.
Conclusion
The typical lifespan of a professionally installed, low voltage landscape lighting system is 10 to 15 years. Quality components and diligent maintenance can extend useful life to 20-25 years. Fixtures, wiring and bulbs exposed to the elements or installed improperly have a shortened lifespan. Upgrading older lighting systems to modern LED technology reinvigorates the design, reduces energy use, and should provide years of trouble-free performance. With reasonable care, landscape lighting is an investment that pays for itself over time in beauty, security and added real estate value.