What is the difference between 12V, 24V, and 48V permanent lighting?

24V draws less current than 12V for the same brightness, which means thinner wire runs, cooler operation, longer component life, and no brightness sag on long rooflines. We install 24V as standard.

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Quick Answer

Simply put, there is about a 30% price difference between each voltage. Higher voltage systems typically produce higher lumens and lux, resulting in brighter lights. See our system comparison for more details.

Voltage engineering

The technical reason 24V outperforms 12V on Calgary homes

Voltage is not a marketing tier. It is an engineering choice that affects brightness, run length, wire gauge, heat generation, and long-term reliability. Here is the physics.

12V: the entry-level trade-off

12V systems draw twice the current as 24V for the same wattage (P=VI). Higher current means more voltage drop over distance, thicker wire required, more heat in connections, and visible brightness sag at the far end of long rooflines. Requires power injection points on larger homes.

24V: our standard (the sweet spot)

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24V halves the current draw compared to 12V. Less current means thinner wire runs, cooler operation, longer component life, and consistent brightness from the control box to the last LED puck. Power injection is still required but fewer points are needed compared to 12V.

48V: estate and commercial

48V further reduces current draw and enables the longest runs with the brightest output. About 30% more than 24V. Typically specified for estate homes over 400 feet or commercial installations. 48V systems do require power injection points on longer runs to maintain consistent voltage across the full roofline.

Why voltage drop matters in Calgary

Calgary has large homes with long rooflines. A 200-foot 12V run will show visible brightness difference between the first and last LED. At 24V, the same run maintains consistent brightness because the voltage drop is proportionally smaller relative to the operating voltage.

Cooler wiring = longer life

Lower current (24V) means less resistive heating in wire runs and connections. Heat accelerates oxidation and insulation degradation. Over a 25-year system lifespan, this temperature difference directly extends the life of every wire connection in the system.

9-inch spacing works because of 24V

The 24V LEDs produce enough lumens to fully illuminate a 9-inch gap between pucks. 12V competitors need tighter 6-inch spacing to compensate for lower brightness, adding 50% more LEDs and cost while introducing colour beam bleeding.

Deep dive: brightness, cost & specs

Read our full 24V Permanent Lights Guide for detailed voltage drop charts, run-length performance, and real-world brightness comparisons. See our System Tiers Guide for a complete breakdown of 12V vs 24V vs 48V specs, cost, and why we only install Gen 3.

24VOur standard

HalfThe current of 12V

CoolerWire operation

No sagOn 200 ft runs

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Tell us about your roofline and goals. We quote by the project, not linear footage — so you get a price that reflects your home.

Voltage comparison

12V vs 24V vs 48V on a real roofline

Temporary Lights

Number One Lights

Current draw (same wattage)

12V: highest current

24V: half of 12V / 48V: quarter

Brightness at 200 feet

12V: visible sag at far end

24V: consistent start to end

Wire gauge needed

12V: thicker, heavier, costlier

24V: thinner, cleaner, more flexible

Heat in connections

12V: runs warmer (ages faster)

24V: runs cooler (lasts longer)

Power injection points

12V: frequent on larger homes

24V: fewer needed / 48V: also required on longer runs

LED spacing enabled

12V: needs 6 in (dimmer LEDs)

24V: 9 in (bright enough)

Price step

12V: lowest upfront

~30% more per step (24V is best value)

What our customers say

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