Solar Lights Can Be Practical As Well As Decorative July 21, 2010

Solar Lights can Be Practical  As Well As Decorative

With all the new technology, you can purchase almost any style, design, type and/or brightness of solar light that you desire.   Many people look only for those lights that can be used in a landscape design, or those that are meant for fun and to add a magical touch garden, pathway or pool area.   Are you aware that there are also many solar powered lights that are designed to provide safety and for practical uses as well as decorative?

The first types of solar lights that comes to my mind are shed lights.  These can be attached to a shed, garage, out-building or even used at a place of business.   Providing about the same amount of light as a 30 watt incandescent light, they can light you way for safety and a welcome.  Because they turn on automatically at night, there is no need to go out and turn them on after dark.

Another very practical type of solar lights are the sensor solar lights.  They come in all sizes and for practically any place you want to use them.  They automatically turn on if there is movement within a certain distance of the light.  You need to check for the different ranges available, so you be sure to purchase the one you want.  Some can be place in the ground with a stake, others can be attached to a building or wall.  Usually the first thought that comes to mind when contemplating the need for a sensor solar light, is to let you know if someone (or perhaps an animal) is moving around near your home.  Another wonderful use of these sensor lights, is that they can light up for you when you come home in the dark.  Place near your driveway or entrance and you have instant light to help you move in safety.

The third types of solar lights I want to discuss are solar spot lights.  There is such a variety of solar spot lights that everyone should be able to find exactly what they need.  The first type of spot light is really designed to be practical.  They look like a spot light and can usually be moved up or down to highlight the designated area.  Some can be attached with a wall mount.  Some are for staking into the ground and some are flat on the bottom, so you can really place them on the porch, deck, garden area, pathway, anywhere you want.  They also come in different brightnesses and you need to go with a softer or brighter light, as desired.  There are also solar spot designed for fun ie: some look like gnomes or fairies.  Some look like toys and really delight children.  Just look around and find the ones you like.

You can find many varieties of solar spot and shed light at  http://www.HomeAndGardenSolar.com

Movability Of Solar Lights June 15, 2010

Now that summer is in full bloom the design for solar lights that you started with may no longer be giving you the beauty and brightness you desired.  The problem may simply be that your plants (and/or weeds!!) are growing and hiding the solar lights from sight.  Also, they may not be getting a full days sunlight charge because of large leaves, or more shade.

Here is a simple and easy solution:  Because solar lights and other products are not dependent upon conventional electrical supply, you simply pick them up and move them!!!!  I have found this to be one of the true joys of using outdoor solar lights to highlight my garden and outdoor areas.  First, if you like where they are, just move them out a ways into the sunlight for charging.   If you want a better view you might move then to a totally new area.  These simple steps can dramatically change your evening views and create a lovely new area.

Plants and trees too tall?  Buy tall solar powered lights, or even hanging solar lights.  Use wood or cinder blocks hidden amongst the plants, set the lights on top and you have found an inexpensive way to highlight your garden.  You can place your solar spot or flood lights outside the garden, directed toward the plants or your favorite tree to make a statement.

Because there are no constraints due to conventional plugs and wires,  you are free to place these wonderful solar powered lights as far away as necessary to achieve the look you want.   Be creative and figure out how to best show them off in the spaces and areas you choose.

Have fun and go green!

You can find these and many other solar lights and products at www.HomeAndGardenSolar.com

Go Green With Solar Lights And Other Ideas May 28, 2010

Helping to conserve our planets resources is becoming a part of most of our lives.  We believe there are many steps available for each of us to use that range from no cost at all to quite expensive  We personally have started by using outdoor solar lights as both a decorative and energy saving function.  We thought we would list a few other ideas that might help you begin your journey to helping conserve our planets resources.

Here are a few ideas – some are free, some cost money:

• In cold weather wear warm clothing and lower your thermostat
• Use warm blankets and even flannel sheets and lower thermostat at night
• Speaking of thermostats, move your thermostat away from doorways that open to the outside causing drafts.  (hot in summer, cold in winter)
• Use solar lights to line driveway
• Install a thermostat with a timer to lower heat when asleep or away from your house
• Don’t wash a half-load of clothes.   A full clothes washer saves money
• Use cold water to wash clothes.  It works as well as hot  
• Use a “solar clothes dryer” and hang your clothes out on a clothesline to dry.
• Dust collects on the cooling coils of your refrigerator, vacuum or dust regularly
• Turn off lights whenever you leave a room
• Humidity emitted by house plants makes you feel warmer in the winter
• Outdoor solar lights can eliminate the need for conventional electric lights at entrance
• Heat rises,  in winter make house ceiling fans turning so heat comes down,  in summer reverse the direction of the fans.  (This may be the opposite of what you think)
• When replacing gas ranges, be sure to buy a new gas range with electric ignition since they use about 40% less gas pr year than gas ranges with pilot lights
• Use outdoor solar motion sensor or solar spot lights to highlight your driveway or dark areas around your home instead of leaving electrical outside lights on

Look for more ideas from us in the near future about conserving our planets resources.    Look to www.HomeAndGardenSolar.com for solar lights and other solar products to help you on your way.

Landscaping With Solar Lights May 18, 2010

Landscaping your yard or outdoor area is such a personal thing.  There are so many variables involved.  How large is your area?  What climate zone do you live in?  How much time and work do you want to put into upkeep of your landscape?  One fairly new question is:  Do I want lighting in my area?  If the answer to that is yes, than you simply must consider outdoor solar lighting as a possibility! 

Solar powered lights can add fun or a magical charm, a sophisticated statement or simply bring a gentle beauty to your surroundings.  Placing solar lights in and around your landscaping is also a great way to get the entire family involved in some “green” living projects that save you money and help our planets resources at the same time.

 There are so many styles and types of solar lights that you can really create any theme or mood you wish to make.  The solar lights that are shorter can line a garden, driveway, create a pathway, even highlight a new area that has been landscaped in the front of the house.  They are lovely around smaller, shorted plants and bushes.  

The taller outdoor solar lights are perfect for a garden with tall plants or bushes.  They are very visible and can really add charm to the area selected.   Some even hang from shepherds hooks and really draw attention to that area in the evening.   There are tiki lights for a warm, tropical theme, blinking lights that look like candles flickering in the breeze.   The choice is really incredible and all you need is your imagination. 

For fun there are animals, fairies, gnomes, flowers and colored solar powered lights that blink.  Children love these solar lights and really get involved in where to place them to show them off in the best way!  One family I know hides a solar frog light in a different place from time to time and it is up to the children to find it.  First one to find it gets a “prize”. 

Of course the beauty of all solar lights is that not being dependent upon conventional electrical supply, you can place them anywhere you wish and change their location every day if you want to.  The only cost is basically the initial outlay for the lights themselves.   You can break up a set of garden solar lights and use them all over your yard and landscaped area!   They just seem to be the perfect solution for whatever you envision for highlighting your landscape.   Solar lights are really a beautiful addition to any landscape plan and even after the plants are gone for the winter, they give you a magical view all year long!!

Log on to www.HomeAndGardenSolar.com/stainless_steel/   to find many solutions to your landscaping dreams.

The Practicality And Safety Of Using Solar Lights May 11, 2010

With all the publicity out there,  most people are very conscious of efforts to help save our planets resources    Many people are beginning to change their lifestyle in small and large ways.  There are recycle plants or drop-offs  in most cities  and even towns in the country.  They seem to be quite successful.   I notice more clothes lines in yards in summer months.  Finding ways to re-use products is becoming popular.  One of the more simple ways to help save our planets resources are solar lights and other solar products. 

Solar lights are (simply stated) using the suns energy by storing it in a solar panel.   At dark, after a days sunlight charge,  solar lights can last up to 8-10 hours.   The main cash outlay with solar lights and products is the cost of the item.  After that, the sun charges the solar lights – no plugs, wires or outlets. 

Outdoor Solar lights come in different shapes, sizes and for different uses.  They usually turn on automatically when dark, although some do have an on/off switch in case you do not want it to light up one night.  Solar powered lights are not dependent upon conventional electrical supply. This means that you can automatically light up any dark corner or stairway.   Line a walkway or pathway.  All this means a safer walk or stair climb for you, your family and guests.  

Solar lights come in different degrees of brightness.  Solar spot lights, for example, usually have a brighter LED for brighter light output.  Because it is a spot light you can aim the light directly where you want it to shine.  Do you have an out-building or a fence out in the back of your property?  You can easily find it and walk to it with more safety.  You can outline an entire fence line with solar cap lights. 

The ability to place these solar powered lights just about anywhere you wish makes them unique in the lighting world.   They provide added safety wherever you have them.  Knowing you are saving money and our planets resources at the same time makes them very practical, as well. 

You can find these and many other solar lights and products at www.HomeAndGardenSolar.com

Beautify With Hanging Solar Lights and Lanterns May 9, 2010

 Outdoor Solar Lights are being re-created and updated almost every day.   They are becoming so popular not only because they are beautiful to look at but because solar lights are practical as well.  They also help save our planets resources.  Solar lights are also appealing because after the initial cash outlay for the products, there are basically no other costs.  No electrical bills, no wires no plugs.  Just so simple! 

I have grown to absolutely love hanging solar powered lights and lanterns.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  All the atmosphere you want to create can be done with these versatile and beautiful outdoor solar lights.  In many cases these solar lanterns can be used in other ways.  Some of them are flat on the bottom so you can place them on a table top, deck or patio without the shepherds hook.  

Many of the choices involve the shape of the light itself.  To create some magic in your garden you can choose from a traditional look to an Asian theme.  There are contemporary hanging solar lanterns with lots of color as well as simple, clean looking lanterns.  The shape of the light can come in stainless steel or plastic.  Some of my favorites come in a silky looking cloth cover.  There are  just so many to choose from. 

As for the solar light itself:  there are different degrees of brightness.  Some have a blue or red solar light.  Some are bright white.  We have one that looks like there is a candle inside and it flickers like a candle.  We love to look at it at night either from our deck or even peeking out our window.  

Most of these outdoor hanging solar lights and lanterns come with a “shepherds hook”.  They can be tall or fairly short.  You can always buy another shepherds hook to get the exact height you want.  I have seen some of the solar lanterns hanging on a front porch.  They look absolutely magical.  Because solar lights are not dependent upon conventional electrical supply, all you have to do is make sure the solar panel gets sunlight during the day to charge and then hang them or place them anywhere you choose.  They make such a welcoming statement! 

These hanging solar lights and lanterns can light up a pathway or  garden.  You could  hang them around a pool or pond or from a beautiful tree.  They not only provide light for some safety, they create any magical illusion you wish.  They are beautiful to look at and create a bit of fun for any gathering! 

You can find these and many other solar lights and products at www.HomeAndGardenSolar.com/store-categories-Whimsical_3857582.html

Solar Shed and Spot Lights April 23, 2010

 

I know most of you are aware of the decorative garden solar lights that are out there.  They certainly are beautiful and fun to look at in the night.  There is something for everyone to have some fun and magic in their surroundings. 

But did you know there are also many outdoor solar lights that have a much more functional purpose than as decoration?  I thought I would highlight some of the more practical uses for these types of solar lights and other products.  

One type of very useful solar light is usually referred to as a solar shed light.  These can usually be attached to the side of a wall or building to provide the same brightness as you would usually find in a 30 watt incandescent light.  This gives you plenty of light to feel safe entering an out-building or garage.  One of the main benefits of using solar powered lights is that they are not dependent on conventional electrical supply, so your can attach them near or far.  They conveniently turn on automatically at dark (after a day of charging the solar panel under sunlight.  Many have a pull cord for convenient on/off option. 

Other types of solar lights are solar spot lights.  You can aim these lights shine directly on an object or area.  Again,  solar lights can be placed wherever needed, so you can light up a dark stairway or entrance way.   Shine them along a dark pathway or even light your way to the out-building that has the solar shed light attached. Some of these solar powered spot lights can also be attached to a wall or building.   Of course there are many uses for this type of solar light in your garden or yard, by highlighting your favorite tree or plant.  Shine the solar light on a favorite garden ornament   Again, there are so many uses and types of solar lights.  Some are practical and some just for fun.  They all save you money on electrical expenses and help save the planets resources at the same time. 

You can find many of these and other solar lights and products at www.HomeAndGardenSolar.com/store-categories-Other_3857587.html

Solar Water Pumps Enhance Your Surroundings April 15, 2010

How about adding some magic to your already beautiful pond or lake view?  Solar lights and pumps can add a wonderful touch to your outdoor enjoyment.  Solar powered water pumps are fast and easy to install.  All they need is a day of sunlight to create a water lift from 18” up  to around 8’.  How dramatic!! 

Remember folks, these water pumps are solar powered.  This means you have this beautiful addition to your surroundings with no extra electrical bills.  You are helping to save our planets resources at the same time.   Because outdoor solar lights and solar water pumps are not dependent on conventional electrical supply, you can place these solar water pumps near or far.    So, if your pond or pool is far from the house, here is your solution.  

Incredibly most of these solar water pumps have the ability to work day and night!  In most cases the solar panel is attached to the fountain by a cable usually around 16’ long.  You place the solar panel in the land around the water area and have a long cable so you can place the fountain creatively wherever you choose.   Many of these solar water pumps have automatic timers that can be pre-set so that the solar fountain can operate whenever you wish.  Some have a special battery pack which gives it additional hours of operation.

Gee, here is even another option!!  There are some floating solar fountain pumps.  They just float around on top of the water.  No wiring , no cords.  The solar panel is simply built right into the floating unit itself.  They can work all day in direct sunlight.  

How simple and amazing!  There is a solar water pump or fountain for any mood you want to create.  Save money on electrical bills, save our planets resources and have a great summer enjoying your beautiful surroundings even more!! 

Find these solar water pumps and many other solar lights and products on:  www.HomeAndGardenSolar.com/store-categories-Water_3857584.html

Fun With Animal Solar Lights April 6, 2010

How much fun can you have by highlighting your summer outdoor space with wonderful animal solar lights?  There is such a variety to choose from. 

There is a large selection of dogs holding solar lanterns in their mouths.  Choose your favorite breed, or give as a gift to a dog lover you know.  They range from all kinds of dogs such as a boxer, golden retriever, German shepherd or even a cute generic dog with a wonderful face.  They can greet people at your front door or hide in the back garden to light up at night.  These great dog solar lights are guaranteed to get a comment every time!

How about a few smaller friends in the animal world?  There are turtles, frogs, snails and owls all with different colored lights and design.  Some are more like lamp solar lights with the cute little fella holding up a light.  Great for a patio or deck table!   Other small animal solar lights have a shell that lights up when dark.   These solar lights delight children and they want to see them every time it turns dark.  Create magic in and around your favorite garden.   Place near your pool or pond area to create a magical evening swim.  Greet family and friends at your entrance or driveway with charming outdoor solar animal lights.

One great and unique things about Solar lights is that they are not dependent on conventional electrical supply.  You can place them anywhere you choose.  Hide a snail among the tall plants.  Have a solar light dog guard an out-building.  They can be near or far.  Solar lights are really fun.  They save you money and our planets resources at the same time.  What could be better than that? 

Have some fun this summer with these animal solar powered lights and remember they light up in all seasons, as  long as the solar panel has been charged in sunlight during the day.   

You can find these and many other solar lights and products at www.HomeAndGardenSolar.com/store-categories/Animal_3857583.html

The Many Uses of Solar Spot Lights March 24, 2010

As spring approaches and I am outside more often and beginning to get excited about evenings on the deck with family and friends, I am beginning to realize all the possible uses for solar powered spot lights.   

First of all, we have always had a problem with two sets of deck stairs leading to our lawn.  The steps are dark and hard to see in the night.  There are really no plug-ins or places for electrical cords in those two areas and I have never quite figured out how to make those steps safer.  I now realized that solar lights (spot) are the perfect solution.  There are solar powered lights  where I can direct the light to go in almost any direction I choose.   I can highlight the steps from above or place the solar powered lights in the ground and have the light turned upward.  I also could place the solar lights on the deck railing and have the light shine down on the steps and into the yard itself.  There are some solar lights that are not quite as bright as the others and that might work well here, so that the light is mild to our eyes   One problem solved.

Another place that I need to do something about is our shed out back.  It is a fairly long walk to get to the shed and I think I can place one solar spot light shining on the door so that I can easily find my way.  Because these solar lights are not dependent on conventional electrical supply, I can easily install these lights around the shed, or even use solar lights that I can attach to the building itself to shine a kind of walkway, or path to the shed.  They will turn on automatically when it gets dark (after a full days sunshine). For this area I probably need brighter solar lights.  

The last thing I need to do with solar powered spot lights revolves around some new landscaping we did last summer.  We actually have a banana tree that grows in the Midwest!  I want to place some solar lights around the base of the tree to highlight that tree.   I can’t wait to see the results. 

You can find most of these and other solar lights at www.HomeAndGardenSolar.com/store-categories-Other_3857587.html