- Always look for solar outdoor lighting that is durable, weatherproof/waterproof, and UV protected.
- Review appearance. Outdoor lighting adds to your curb appeal, so make sure you like the look of the lighting fixtures, if they are noticeable.
They should complement your house and your landscaping. For example, beautiful copper solar lights
can add to a classic or country atmosphere.
Contemporary lighting is another popular style option.
You should also keep in mind that in some cases an option such as a solar garden light is meant to be subtle while focusing attention on landscape features.
- Be sure to check the run time, or number of hours the lights will shine. This can vary greatly across models and brands and can be as high as several days
without recharging. In general, the better the quality of the unit, the higher the run time will be. A well-made solar LED light will be among the longest running
options.
- Consider brightness. Some tasks need a brighter light, while a dimmer subtle light is acceptable for others. For example, a solar powered security light should be
one of the brightness choices and often uses a halogen bulb for brighter lighting.
- Make sure your outdoor landscape lighting works for its purpose, such as security, path, accent, or garden lighting.
- Consider whether solar landscape lights have sensors that turn them on automatically when it is dark out, timers that you set, or on-off switches.
Motion detectors are another option. And consider which is most appealing to you: automatic operation or more control.
- Be aware of installation options for your outdoor landscaping lighting. Solar landscaping lights can utilize ground stakes, be mounted on your house, use hanging hooks,
or just get placed on a deck. Sometimes solar panels can be positioned apart from the solar landscape light, so that the panel can be in a sunnier location
and the light where it is needed.
- Consider what type of bulb is used in the light fixture. The main choices are an LED light, the most common solar choice, or halogen,
most often used for bright security lighting needs.
Solar LED lights have the advantage of long life spans and little wasted heat, while halogen solar lights are usually the brightest option.
- Check for warranties and consider brands. A Westinghouse solar light is often a top pick, as are Malibu lighting options,
Cascade Lighting, Brinkmann, Harvest, and many more.
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SOLAR LIGHTING SHOPPING TIPS
Outdoor solar lighting is a great way to integrate a fantastic renewable resource into your life with minimal upfront cost and virtually no drawbacks.
Using solar powered lights outside doesn't require a large investment and over time will actually save money, since the energy source is free.
In addition, you'll get great performance and beautiful styles with the newest high quality solar options. So go green a step at a time, with outdoor
solar lighting as a top move in the right direction.
Outdoor lighting is a must, for safety (both against tripping and intruders,) convenience and functionality (why end the party on the deck when it gets dark out?)
and showing off the beauty of your home. In addition to all the good reasons to use outdoor lighting, there are many specific pluses for choosing solar lights.
It makes financial sense. Solar lighting helps you save money. You'll save daily on electricity, since solar lighting incurs no electric costs at all.
You'll also save upfront on installation, since you won't need an electrician for wiring, or a trench dug to hide wires. And your upfront purchase cost doesn't
have to be high, since solar outdoor lighting is available in budget to high end models, with most differences based on style.
It’s dependable. You won't give up any reliability when using solar powered light. Quality solar lighting will work even on cloudy or rainy days and offers
dependable performance. If there’s enough sunlight to see, there is enough sunlight to provide power to store. In addition, solar powered lighting will work
even when the power is out. You can be comfortable going solar.
It’s easy to install. Solar lights are simple and easy to install yourself and can be moved easily since each is a freestanding unit. Also, because there is
no wiring required, solar landscape lighting can be installed just as easily in remote locations as other areas.
It’s good for the environment. Solar energy is a great renewable resource. When using solar power, you aren't depleting anything from our world.
Adding solar panels and converting your indoor lighting power needs to solar may sound daunting; using solar energy for outside lighting truly isn't.
It’s a great step towards going green, and it will make a difference for our planet. Solar power is the modern lighting choice for the world we live in today.
To summarize the process simply, solar powered lights use solar panels to collect energy from sunlight during the day. This energy
charges the battery that powers your lights at night. With quality solar powered outdoor
lights and the latest advances in the technology, energy is still collected on cloudy, rainy, and cold days.
In addition, the best units have batteries that can store enough energy to keep a lamp lit for many hours.
Run times, or hours of lighting, vary but with top units can be as high as a few days on one charged battery.
Units usually have light sensors that determine when it is dark out so that lights turn on
automatically. However, outdoor solar lights are also available with on-off controls, timers, and motion sensors.
Solar lighting is available in just about every outdoor lighting category. So illuminate your path, your driveway, and your deck; accent your pond, pool,
garden, fabulous tree, and unique rock; and most of all, have fun with your solar powered outdoor light. From an outdoor lighting sconce to a solar garden
lamp to spotlights, here are some main categories of exterior lighting to consider:
Solar Path Lights: Path lighting often uses rows of lights to illuminate paths, stairways, driveway edges or other walkways around your home.
These are important for safety and convenience. Each solar outdoor light unit should focus light downward so as not to cause glare for people using the walkways.
Tiered or mushroom lights are good at providing a well lit ground area.
A post light is also often used as a solar path light, sometimes in conjunction with other smaller lights. And at the end of a path to a front door,
a lighting fixture such as a wall sconce is often used as well.
Solar Floodlights/Security Lighting:
These lights are best for areas that need strong and thorough lighting coverage.
A solar security light is often used to illuminate a driveway for ease of use as well as to discourage intruders.
Solar Spotlights: Providing strong lighting like flood lights, spotlights are designed to illuminate a more specific area.
Solar Accent Lights: Accent lights generally are designed to provide atmosphere and highlight certain landscape features, such as by lighting a specific tree, dramatic rock, or gardens.
Solar Garden Lights: Garden solar lighting is a popular category. Solar garden lights allow your plantings to beautify your home by night as well as day.
You can use these solar lamps to add to your garden décor with creative options. For example,
a solar lamp shaped like a frog or turtle can add a great touch to a garden while serving a purpose too.
Solar Deck Lights: Deck lighting can include mounted lights or freestanding solar lights that are simply placed on your outdoor tables.
Solar Decorative Lights: Hanging lanterns and other whimsical and attractive decorative lighting options are available, both as permanent accessories or for use for
special occasions, such as parties or holidays. Solar powered Christmas lights are a top pick.
With these choices, rather than just providing light, they are themselves adding to your décor.
Solar Floating Lights: Solar floating lights, for pond lighting or pool lighting, provide a beautiful landscaping option.
For more information on general outdoor lighting, please see the
Outdoor Lighting Buying Guide at Builderssquare.com.
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