Yes there is a difference and you do get what you pay for. I went to one of those big discount stores in town, whose name I will not say. They had an okay selection of solar lights. Half of the display was filled with $2.00 stake lights. About a month ago they were priced at $1.00. I bought one of them so I could compare it to some of the solar garden stake lights I already purchased from http://www.solarlightsadvantage.com. The next morning, I turned the switch to “on” and stuck it in the ground. That night…. no light…. then the next night… still no light. So now what? Do I take back a $2 light because it didn’t work and try another? I probably will, because that’s what I do. But now I have to consider the gas, my time, and my frustration. I still don’t know how bright the light is.
There was another reason for my purchase. I wanted to set this “inexpensive” light out on a grave site. I thought it would look nice in among the flowers. So I am disappointed but really, it is what I expected. I have always had the attitude that you get what you pay for. So if you don’t care if your solar lamps, garden lights or batteries work or not, or if you will have to replace them next year then go to that discount store and buy those “cheap” lights. If you want good quality outdoor solar lighting, then check out the variety of beautiful, reliable lights available. Another benefit of buying on-line, is the personal help. If you don’t see what you are looking for, the knowledgeable people working at the on-line store specialize in solar lighting and will do what they can to make you a satisfied customer.
Are you preparing to go camping like millions of other people? When our kids were small we had a pop-up or fold-down camper. Which ever you want to call it. That was so fun. It was roughing it compared to some of those traveling houses parked next to us. Sometimes we parked in non-electric sites but most of the time we paid extra so we could have electricity.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “if I would have known then what I know now”? Well actually it wasn’t available then so we didn’t have the option. But it is now. What am I talking about? A solar charger for batteries. They come in so many shapes, sizes and power ranges. Some solar chargers are for AAA or AA rechargeable batteries that you can use in other household devices like TV remote controls and toys. Others are powerful enough to charge your cell phone, iPod, iPad, speakers, and even laptops. Some can be daisy chained together to run some pretty awesome solar lanterns and solar flashlights.
“Back in the day” we didn’t have all the electronic gadgetry that is around today. But we did have hand held game systems, radios and TVs. Now people can’t leave home without their communication devices. Admittedly I am one of those people, and I still love to fish and camp. Now I don’t have to worry about running down the battery. Even if the sun doesn’t shine brightly the solar panel does the job and the charge lasts all night long. It works for any outdoor activity that keeps you away from electricity. Check out the many varieties. If you don’t see one that suits your power need, just ask and they will fix you up with just the right one for your needs.
Solar powered lighting is on a rise and rightly so. One reason is because the quality of solar lighting has made enormous improvements in the last few years. Another primary reason is because people are looking for ways to save money. The problem is no one wants to give up what they like to do, how they like to live, and how they like to furnish their homes and landscapes. Well solar lighting is the solution to the problem. Other than the cost of the lights, and replacement batteries every few years there is no other expense. There are no monthly utility bills, no installation expenses, nothing, nothing at all.
Another is the wide variety of solar powered lighting. There are solar fence post lights, Solar garden stake lights, even solar lighting indoors. Solar motion security lights are on the rise and nearly catching the most popular solar fence post light. Decorative solar garden lights come in such a huge variety from solar stepping stones and solar rocks, to solar garden figurines and the sought after solar lighthouse.
Solar garden stakes are by far the most common. They come in a wide variety of styles and prices. Watch out for cheap lights, else you will be sorry. There are however, inexpensive good quality lights available. Personally I prefer, versatility over a lamp that has but one use. That is exactly why I prefer these lanterns. Solar powered and the added benefit of versatility always get my vote. The kettle lantern hangs on a hook that can be wall mounted or installed in the ground. This solar lantern can also be removed and set on a table as a centerpiece or on a railing or shelf, or any number of flat surfaces. That makes decorating for your summer garden party pretty easy, right?
You already know that not all products are created equal. That is true for most everything you want to buy. You get what you pay for so it is important to shop around. The only time it is beneficial to “buy cheap” is if you just want to try it out, to see if it is something you might want to invest in. Watch for true “sales” where those good quality items are marked down at the end of the season, or when new models are released. That is if you can wait for those sales to come along.
Sure you can get solar garden stake lights at Target for $1.00 each and line your entire driveway with lights. If you are really lucky, they might even last all summer long. But what about the cold winter months? Will you just let your lights go to ruin, or will you pick them up hoping they will work again next summer? Maybe Target will run another $1.00 sale next year so they can be replaced. This can go on for years until you finally decide to buy quality lights.
When they do fail and they can’t be repaired, they will find their way to the landfill. There is already too much waste. Wouldn’t it be great if we could just slow down on the amount of trash we throw out? Everyone can do their part to take care of the environment regardless how significant or insignificant that may be. Every effort counts toward the grand scheme.
There are some really good quality solar landscape lights available that do not take you to the bank, so to speak. They come equipped with good batteries that should last 2 years – (24 months) – winter and summer. Solar pathway lights really look great against the snow, especially the colored lamps. Speaking of lamps, good quality LED lights should last 100,000 hours or more. That means less waste because you won’t be throwing them out. Of course, the life of the lamp and the battery will depend on how harsh the winter is, but a good quality light will withstand.
I know first hand, that the solar powered walkway lights pictured here can withstand harsh Iowa Winters, and they come on every night and last through the night, even when the sun does not shine for 3 days in a row. Check out the other quality solar garden stakes, solar pole lamps, solar security lights, solar charger for batteries, and rechargeable batteries available. There are a lot of quality garden solar lamps to choose from.
There are many ways to turn a back yard into a outside escape. Turn your yard into a quiet park where you can sit and read your favorite novel. This is easy simply by adding a bench or lawn furniture under a tree, or an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun. Turn your yard into a play area for children. With some expense they will always appreciate a swing or something to climb on, but just an open area where they can play lawn games can be just as fun. Then sit back and watch or join in on the fascinating creativity of a child’s mind. Gardening has been known to many as therapy after a stressful day. Whether you grow vegetables, flowers, herbs or even if your garden is overtaken by weeds, it can be fun digging in the dirt and watching it change with the seasons. A yard can also be a place for backyard cookouts and gathering family, friends and neighbors. This use of outdoor space is becoming more popular with outdoor kitchens, and large family sized grills, smokers and deep fryers. Everyone is a chef and they love to share their creations.
Regardless how you use your yard and regardless how large or small it is you want it to look nice. Most importantly make it fit you and your personality. This is not a problem during the day when there is plenty of daylight available to see all of the neat little touches placed around. At night, it is more difficult to show your personality, that is until now. Consider lighting your yard with garden solar lamps. They not only add light on the subject, but they can also be the subject. From solar post lights and solar pathway lights, to color changing solar lights, tabletop solar lanterns and other decorative solar garden lights.
We were told as kids to turn the lights off to save energy. Now as adults we are looking beyond that. Being energy wise is a way of life for most people. Everything is expensive so we have to save where we can. On the other hand we have become so dependent on our small electronic devices. How much money do you spend during the year on AA or AAA alkaline batteries? Do you properly dispose of them or do they end up in the landfill? Some cities have good recycling programs while others do not.
One way to help with the battery problem is to use a solar charger for batteries. Portable solar chargers are available in a variety of styles and have a variety of features and functions. Be sure to check them all out. The simplest one will charge 4 AA or AAA batteries and can even be placed in a window where the sun shines. A more complex solar charger will not only charge a battery pack, but can be connected directly to a cellular phone, iPod, MP3 player, speakers and so much more. There are even larger solar chargers available upon request that will power a laptop for several hours. So just think, no more expensive batteries for remote controls, or any of your small electronic devices, and that beats just turning the lights off.
This year we put solar string lights out in the middle of the summer around the privacy fence. It looked so nice in the evening to see the tiny twinkling lights. Then when it was time to decorate the front of the house for Christmas we found ourselves so busy that the traditional lights were never hung up. Then an idea struck. We draped our solar string lights in a small tree and around the walkway fence. No, it did not compare to the bright festive colored bulbs we usually put out. However, it did have a very calming and beautiful look. Best of all, we didn’t have to go out in the cold and turn the solar lights on, and off again every night. The sun took care of that for us.
The tiny little Christmas LED lights gave our home the perfect look this year. So we decided to just leave the solar lights on the walkway fence for a while longer. Thinking about more, they would be perfect around a deck railing or a camper awning. So actually Christmas LED lights are not just for Christmas. Use them all year long!
Solar powered lighting has come a long way. Once thought to be only be worthy of decorative lighting it is now used for so much more. This is true because of the much improved batteries, solar collectors used and the LED lamps. They are capable of capturing the sun so much more efficiently, storing the charge so much longer and burning so much more brightly.
For those who are energy wise, solar power is the way to go. Especially the outdoor adventurer. Those adventures may take you as far as your own front walkway, or the shed deep in your own back yard, or on a camping trip. Everyone can use portable lanterns. Solar powered flashlights, can be charged by day and ready for use during the night when you need them. Solar powered LED lights are super bright too. LED manufacturers have been improving them for years, and when multiple LEDs are used they have a very bright beam. No worries about replacing batteries for years since flashlights are typically only used for a short period of time. A solar flashlight is versatile too. Some have an emergency crank while others convert into a lantern. Check them all out to see which one solves your portable lantern needs.
We should start by answering the question. What is renewable energy? It is a form of energy, of which replaces itself naturally. Renewable energy resources help us to reduce the expensive energy sources we have grown to depend on.
A couple of the obvious ways to be environmentally friendly are wind and sun. There are also, water or (hydro-power), geothermal and biological processes too. It is obvious the strength of the renewable energy resources such as wind being strong enough to blow trees down, tornadoes and hurricanes strong enough to wipe out cities. The challenge we face is to harness that energy for use.
When we say green renewable energy what we intend it to mean is a clean environment. Green renewable energy is something that does not deplete and we can rely on it being there forever. Everyone has opportunities to contribute to a greener environment. One of the easiest things the average citizen can do, to work toward environmentally friendly living, is to use solar lights where ever possible in place of electric or oil. As I walk around the neighborhood I notice many opportunities for people to make a difference.
The best things about using renewable solar energy, is that it is free, environmental side effects are little to none, and it is easy.
Ways to be Environmentally Friendly with Solar Powered LED Lights
“Back in the day” people did not worry about being “green” or putting effort in to taking care of the environment. Now it is on nearly everyone’s mind to some degree. People are always trying to find products and ways to be environmentally friendly. But, why is it such a big deal today? Is it because people actually did not take care of the environment, “back in the day”, and we now have a mess to deal with?
What can each of us do to take care of the environment? We have become a society that loves disposable gadgets and we have a lot of packaging waste. Why is today so different than it was “back in the day”? How can we make a difference today with only a little effort. Frankly, if it is not easy to do, most of us will not do it. So “being green” has to be easy or it will not happen. Are we lazy? Certainly not, we just like to focus our energy on playing hard and working hard at the things we like to do. If it is routine, then we want it easy, leaving more time for what we want to do. So we can sort our garbage, if our city accommodates it. We can buy sport bottles and refill them instead of buying water bottles. My favorite… we can use solar powered LED lights instead of electric.
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