Energy Efficiency 12V Vs. 120V Recessed Lighting
The once-simple task of lighting up a room is no longer that simple. When considering a renovation or even building a new home, there is one issue that often confuses home owners: low-voltage lighting. Does this Spark an idea?
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Voltage
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Voltage is a measurement of the power potential in an electrical system. In the United States, household voltage ranges from 110 to 120 volts, in contrast to other parts of the world where household voltage can be as high as 240V. Generally, recessed lighting will either use standard "line" voltage or be classified as "low" voltage (typically 12V). Low-voltage lights have many advantages, one of which can be increased energy savings if properly used.
Wattage
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Wattage is the measurement of electrical power. When discussing any potential energy savings, wattage is what matters. A 100-watt bulb running on 120 volts consumes exactly the same amount of power as a 100-watt bulb running on 12 volts. However, the 12-volt lamp will most likely provide more light. This is where the energy savings in low-voltage lighting is found. Low-voltage options make it possible to replace the line-voltage light with a low-voltage light of lower wattage and still achieve acceptable light levels.
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Transformers
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Low-voltage bulbs require a transformer between the bulb and the line-voltage source. You cannot plug a low-voltage bulb into a standard recessed fixture. If you would like to convert existing lights to low voltage, you will need to install a new fixture that is designed for low-voltage power, as well as a transformer if the fixture does not have one built in.
Savings
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The choice between low-voltage lighting and line voltage can be complicated, and much of the choice hinges on being able to determine if an acceptable amount of light can be attained using the lower wattage options. For this reason, it's best to consult an architectural lighting designer before committing to a potentially costly lighting plan. Otherwise, you may wind up with either no real energy savings, or not enough light in your room.
Options
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Recessed light fixtures are available in a large range of shapes, sizes and colors and use a wide range of lightbulbs, including reflector lamps, traditional incandescent bulbs and PAR lamps. Many popular low-voltage fixtures are designed to use the diminutive MR16 lightbulb (allowing for a very small ceiling aperture). Recently, manufacturers have begun to offer line-voltage and low-voltage LED replacements that which use significantly less energy than the bulbs they are designed to replace; however, this is a function of the new LED technology and not the voltage of the bulbs.
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