A recent survey conducted by Harris Poll for the National Association of Landscape Professionals found that 75% of Americans feel that it is important to spend time outside in their yards. This is easy to do in the summer, but what about the late fall and winter when it gets dark so early?

Rather than sit in the darkness, many homeowners are installing gorgeous landscape lighting to brighten their outdoor spaces. With more lighting, residents can enjoy the outdoors for much longer.

If you are interested in installing new landscape lighting, but aren’t sure where to start, take a look at the following comparison of halogen and LED lighting.

Halogen Lighting: Pros

• Price: Halogen lights are less expensive than LED lights, which means you can purchase more for less. They are also a great lighting option if you are looking to save energy. Halogen lights typically run on low energy and can save up to 20% on your energy bill.

• Quality: Halogen bulbs are considered good quality, particularly for landscape lighting designs. They provide enough brightness to improve the aesthetics of your yard and to keep your home safe.

• Convenience: Halogen bulbs can be controlled by a timer so they will turn on and off on their own.

Halogen Lighting: Cons

• Lifespan: Halogen lights don’t usually last as long as other types of landscape lighting, which means that they may actually cost more in the long run since you will have to replace them more often.

• Wiring: The bulbs may be cheap, but the wiring for halogen lights can be a bit more expensive. Additional fixture and parts can run the price up quickly.

LED Lighting: Pros

• Lifespan: LED lights typically last between 30,000 and 50,000 hours, so you can be sure that your landscape lighting will be shining bright for a long time.

• Quality: Like halogen lights, LED lights are known for great quality.

• Low maintenance: LED lights don’t require as frequent maintenance as halogen lights.

• Energy-efficiency: When you use LED lights for your landscape lighting design, you can save up to 80% of your typical energy costs.

LED Lighting: Cons

• Initial expense: Though you’re saving money in the long run, LED bulbs usually have a higher price than other bulbs.

• Installation: LED lighting can be a little more difficult to instal. Landscaping services recommend placing fixtures higher up in places that are more difficult to reach so they remain out of harm’s way.

When it comes to landscape lighting design, choosing the right kind of lighting is just the first step. So which will you choose?