Accessories: FAQ
What care do my birdfeeders and birdhouses require?
Hummingbird feeders should be brought inside during winter months. All our ceramic birdfeeders and birdhouses (including gargler birdhouses) do not require special care during winter. The same applies for glass birdfeeders. Wood birdfeeders will develop an aged patina if left outdoors during the winter, but do not need to be brought indoors. If birds inhabited a birdhouse during the warmer months, it is a good idea to clean out the nesting material for next year’s family during the winter months.
Should I take my chimes inside in the winter?
Our chimes are very durable and can be safely left outdoors during the winter. They are cast from high-grade aluminum tubing with incredible tolerances to insure the proper tones, and then they are powder-coated with a very durable black paint. There durability is guaranteed for 7 years on alto and smaller sizes and 15 years for tenor and larger sizes. If you know that extremely high winds are expected, it is a good idea to remove the wind catcher until the storm passes by.
What is the difference between low-voltage lighting and the lighting I am now using in my home?
The most commonly used, traditional light sources are powered by 120-volt alternating current (AC). This is known as line voltage and is the standard for residential buildings. When you plug something into an outlet, you are accessing this 120-volt current. Low-voltage lighting operates on a 12-volt direct current (DC). This is similar to the amount of electricity used by a car battery. 12-volt is much safer and more energy efficient. Low voltage systems use a transformer that plug into a 120-volt receptacle and reduce the voltage down to 12-volt.
What are the advantages of choosing low-voltage or 12 volt lighting over traditional line voltage alternatives?
- Low voltage, 12-volt, landscape lighting is safer to operate than traditional 120-volt light. There are no shocks with a 12-volt system.
- 12-volt operating expenses are approximately 1/3 less than 120-volt lamps. In the long run the savings really mount up.
- Professional installation costs of low voltage lighting are 80-90% less than traditional line voltage. Many homeowners install the system themselves for free. Line voltage cable must be 12-18" underground, whereas low voltage needs only to be out of sight. Junction boxes are required for each line voltage fixture, but low voltage lights do not require junction boxes. There is very little site disruption when installing low voltage landscape lighting, where as a 120-volt system typically requires significant trenching.
- Once a low voltage lighting system is installed it is very easy to move and readjust the fixtures. Line voltage lighting requires an electrician to relocate fixtures as the landscape matures.
- For wattages of 75 or less, there are over 100 (one hundred) 12-volt lamps available, compared to 12 (twelve) 120-volt lamps. 12-volt lamps are available in a wide range of quartz halogen and xenon bulbs not available to 120-volt systems. As a result 12-volt lamps produce a better quality of light than 120-volt, this allows for much better lighting control.
- 12-volt light bulbs are small allowing for compact lighting fixtures. Those fixtures will not intrude on the landscape, whereas line voltage light fixtures are larger because of their larger light bulbs. Additionally each 120-volt fixture requires a junction box making the fixtures even taller. They are much more visible in the landscape.
What are the advantages of a traditional 120-volt system over low voltage landscape lighting?
- 120-volt systems have a lower initial material cost.
- 120-volt systems use less expensive lamps.
- 120-volt systems are able to have long cable runs up to 800 feet. 12-volt landscape lighting systems are limited to about 150 ft., although that can be extended up to 250 ft. using thicker cable and variable transformers.
- 120-volt systems are able to tap into more power more easily than 12-volt systems.
How do I design a low voltage system?
If you measure and sketch your yard and provide us with a few photos, we can help you formulate a design. We like to start modestly, allowing you to add to your lighting system if you choose. If you bring a completed design, we are happy to critique and give suggestions. If you would like a professional design, we can refer you to a lighting specialist who has been helping our customers for over seven years. His rates are very reasonable for a designer with almost forty years experience.
How do I install a landscape lighting system?
Installing a low voltage lighting system is quite easy. If you call or visit the store, we are happy to answer any questions you may have. If you would like to hire a reliable installer, we can make that referral as well.
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