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Landscape lighting is so expensive it’s subject to weather effects. “Still, landscape lighting systems usually come with a lifetime warranty, which can bump up your initial investment,” says Dudley. Temperature extremes, rain, and snow require exterior lighting to have much sturdier materials such as cast brass. The wiring on exterior lights must also be highly water-resistant to last for years with little maintenance.

LED lights are more economical than incandescent bulbs and sodium lamps in the long run. Most LED landscape bulbs are between 6 and 15 watts, making them an economical choice. However, the initial cost will be higher, especially for high-intensity lighting applications. The challenge in deciding to use these lights for landscaping is to calculate the point in time at which they pay for themselves.

The number of low-voltage LED lights that a transformer can handle depends on the total wattage of the lights. For example, eight 12-watt bulbs require a total of 96 watts, so you would need a 100-watt transformer for this application.

The electricity that outdoor lights use depends on their purpose. Holiday lights typically use only five watts each, but some holiday displays use thousands of these lights.