Everett evenings get dark early for a good part of the year, and they’re usually wet. Good outdoor lighting makes your walkway safer, your entry easier to find and your yard more usable after sunset. Before you pick fixtures, though, there’s a bigger decision to make: low-voltage or line-voltage. The two systems work differently, cost differently and suit different jobs. Here’s how to choose the right outdoor lighting in Everett for your home.
The Short Version: How the Two Systems Differ
Line-voltage lighting runs on the same 120-volt power as the rest of your house. It’s wired from your electrical system to each fixture, usually through buried conduit or along the house.
Low-voltage lighting uses a transformer to step 120-volt power down to a much lower voltage, often 12 volts. Low-voltage cable then runs from the transformer to the fixtures.
Neither one is better across the board. The right choice depends on what you’re lighting and why.
Low-Voltage Outdoor Lighting
How it works
A transformer, usually mounted on an exterior wall near an outdoor outlet, converts household power to low voltage. Cable runs from the transformer through planting beds and along paths to each fixture. Many transformers include a built-in timer or photocell.
Where it works well
- Paths and steps. Low, soft light along a walkway is exactly what low-voltage does best.
- Landscape and accent lighting. Uplighting a tree, washing a fence or highlighting a garden bed.
- Yards that change. Fixtures can usually be moved as plants grow or beds get redesigned.
- Lower shock risk. At low voltage, the cable and fixtures are much less hazardous if a shovel or a curious dog finds them.
The trade-offs
- Voltage drop on long runs. The farther the light is from the transformer, the more voltage you can lose, which shows up as dimmer fixtures at the end of the line. Proper cable sizing and layout solve this.
- Transformer sizing. The transformer has to handle the total load of every fixture on it, with room to spare if you add more later.
- Less raw output. Low-voltage is great for ambient and accent light, but it isn’t the first choice for a bright security flood.
Line-Voltage Outdoor Lighting
How it works
Line-voltage fixtures connect to a 120-volt circuit, just like the lights inside your home. Wiring runs underground in conduit or along the exterior of the house to each fixture, and it’s controlled by a switch, timer, photocell or motion sensor.
Where it works well
- Security and floodlighting. Bright, wide coverage over a driveway, side yard or back of the house.
- Wall-mounted fixtures. Porch lights, garage lights and entry sconces are typically line-voltage.
- Detached structures. Lighting at a detached garage, shed or gate often goes along with power for outlets at the same location.
- Permanent installations. If the fixture isn’t going to move, line-voltage is solid and long-lasting.
The trade-offs
- Less flexibility. Moving a fixture means rerouting wiring, not just relocating a stake.
- More involved installation. Trenching, conduit and connections at full household voltage are licensed electrician work and require a permit.
- Higher upfront cost for most layouts, especially where trenching is involved.
What Everett’s Weather Means for Either System
Everett’s long wet season is hard on outdoor electrical equipment. Whatever system you choose, a few things matter more here than in drier climates:
- Fixtures rated for wet locations. Anything exposed to rain should carry a wet-location rating.
- Sealed connections. Water in a connection leads to corrosion, flicker and early failure. Low-voltage splices should be made with connectors designed for direct burial or outdoor use.
- GFCI protection and in-use covers. The outdoor outlet that powers a low-voltage transformer should be GFCI protected and fitted with a cover that stays weatherproof with the transformer plugged in.
- Solid materials. Fixtures that hold up to years of damp weather save you from replacing them every few seasons.
Mixing Both: A Common Approach for Everett Homes
Many homes end up with a combination, and that’s often the best answer. A typical layout looks like this:
- Line-voltage fixtures at the front entry, garage and back door for bright, reliable light where you need it most.
- Motion-activated line-voltage floods on the driveway or side yard for security.
- Low-voltage path lights along the walkway and accent lights in the landscaping for a softer look.
Planning both systems together lets an electrician route wiring efficiently and set up controls that work as one system.
Choosing How Your Lights Turn On
Controls make outdoor lighting both more useful and more efficient:
- Photocells turn lights on at dusk and off at dawn automatically.
- Timers let you set the lights to turn off at a certain hour.
- Motion sensors keep security lights off until they’re needed, which saves energy and draws attention to movement.
- Smart switches and transformers let you adjust schedules from your phone.
A common setup is path and accent lights on a photocell-and-timer schedule, with security floods on motion sensors.
Permits and Who Should Install Outdoor Lighting in Everett
Line-voltage outdoor lighting is electrical work that requires a licensed electrician and a permit. Everett is one of the Washington cities that issues its own electrical permits and conducts its own inspections.
Requirements for low-voltage systems can vary depending on the system and how it’s powered, so it’s worth asking before you start. Either way, the outdoor outlet or circuit feeding the transformer needs to be safe, GFCI protected and properly covered. If you need a new outdoor outlet or circuit to power your lighting, that work calls for a licensed electrician.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is low-voltage or line-voltage lighting better for an Everett home?
It depends on the job. Low-voltage is ideal for paths, steps and landscape accents. Line-voltage is better for bright security lighting and permanent wall-mounted fixtures. Many homes use both.
Which costs more?
Line-voltage usually costs more upfront because of trenching, conduit and permitting. Low-voltage typically costs less to install, though the total depends on the number of fixtures and the layout.
Will outdoor lighting hold up to Everett’s rain?
Yes, if fixtures are rated for wet locations and connections are properly sealed. Weather-rated components and good installation matter more here than almost anywhere.
Do I need a permit for outdoor lighting in Everett?
Line-voltage outdoor lighting requires a permit, and the City of Everett issues its own electrical permits and inspections. For low-voltage systems, ask your electrician what applies to your project.
Can I add outdoor lighting to my existing outdoor outlet?
Sometimes. A low-voltage transformer can often plug into an existing outdoor outlet if it’s GFCI protected, has an in-use cover, and the circuit has room for the load. An electrician can confirm.
Light Up Your Everett Home the Right Way
In-House Electrical has served Everett homeowners since 2009 from our shop at 1912 Everett Ave. Our licensed, insured electricians install outdoor lighting in Everett, along with the outlets, circuits and controls that power it. Call 425-760-3203 or schedule online to plan your outdoor lighting.