I Bought a House and Found a McKay Landscape Lighting Transformer. What’s Next?

Purchasing a new home often comes with surprises. Sometimes it’s a hidden storage room, a beautiful garden, or—in the case of many Nebraska homeowners—a professionally installed landscape lighting system.

If you’ve recently moved into a property and discovered a McKay Landscape Lighting transformer, congratulations. Your home may already have a custom outdoor lighting system designed to enhance curb appeal, improve safety, and extend the enjoyment of your outdoor spaces after dark.

The next step is making sure the system is operating as intended.

Start with a Complimentary Lighting Consultation

Even if the lighting system appears to be working, we recommend scheduling a complimentary consultation with one of our landscape lighting designers.

During this visit, we’ll:

• Evaluate the age and condition of the system
• Inspect fixtures, wiring, and connections
• Identify any maintenance or repairs needed
• Verify proper operation and programming
• Discuss opportunities for upgrades or additions

Many homeowners aren’t aware of the full capabilities of their outdoor lighting system. A consultation allows us to help you understand what you have and how to get the most from it.

Why Landscape Lighting Systems Need Periodic Service

Like any exterior system, landscape lighting benefits from regular maintenance.

Over time, fixtures can become buried by mulch, landscaping may block light output, connections can loosen, and older components may need replacement. Regular service helps maintain both the appearance and performance of your lighting investment.

After your initial consultation, our service team can perform any recommended repairs, adjustments, or upgrades to restore your system to peak performance.

What If My Existing Fixtures Are Outdated?

Many older landscape lighting systems were built using halogen technology.

While halogen lighting was once the industry standard, modern LED landscape lighting offers significant advantages:

• Longer lamp life
• Lower energy consumption
• Reduced maintenance requirements
• Improved light quality
• Better long-term reliability

If your existing fixtures utilize halogen bulbs or obsolete components, our designers can create a customized LED upgrade plan that preserves the beauty of your property while improving efficiency and performance.

Protect Your Investment with a Service Membership

Once your system is operating properly, ongoing maintenance is the best way to ensure it continues performing year after year.

McKay Landscape Lighting offers annual, bi-annual, and quarterly service memberships designed to keep your system looking its best.

Rather than waiting for a problem to occur, routine maintenance allows us to proactively identify issues, make adjustments, and keep your outdoor lighting operating beautifully throughout every season.

Enjoy Your Outdoor Lighting with Confidence

Whether your landscape lighting system is a few years old or has been illuminating the property for decades, our team is here to help. From inspections and repairs to complete LED upgrades and design enhancements, we’ll ensure your outdoor lighting continues to showcase your home long after sunset.

If you’ve discovered a McKay Landscape Lighting transformer at your new home, we’d love to help you learn more about your system and keep it shining for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have a McKay Landscape Lighting system?

Most McKay Landscape Lighting systems feature our logo on the transformer. If you’re unsure, our team can inspect the system and help identify its components during a consultation.

What does a landscape lighting transformer look like?

A transformer typically resembles a stainless-steel box mounted near an electrical outlet. It may be located on an exterior wall, inside a garage, in a basement, or within a utility or electrical room.

Why do I need to meet with a designer first?

Meeting with a designer allows us to evaluate the system, identify any maintenance needs, and provide an accurate proposal before scheduling service work. It also gives you an opportunity to discuss any lighting enhancements you’d like to make.

What if my landscape lighting fixtures can no longer be repaired?

If your system contains outdated fixtures or halogen technology that can no longer be serviced effectively, we can develop an LED upgrade plan that improves efficiency, reliability, and nighttime curb appeal.

Can existing landscape lighting be upgraded instead of replaced?

In many cases, yes. Depending on the condition of the system, we can often upgrade key components, retrofit fixtures, or design additions that integrate seamlessly with the existing installation.