Are you looking for a way to add more security to your home? Would you like a way to show off your gardens or create a more pleasant home exterior? Then you need to get a solar gutter light.
These lights are more convenient than electrical gutter fixtures. Plus, they are cheaper and will be better for the environment. Keep reading to learn the basics of using solar gutter lights in your home.
Gutter lights are handy outdoor lights that are designed to attach to gutters, stairs, patios, deck railings, and walkways of home and office buildings. Some of the reasons why you’d want to consider using a gutter light include:
Solar gutter lights have batteries that charge with solar power. When the sunlight hits the photovoltaic cell at the top of the gutter light, it will produce electricity and charge the battery.
Most solar gutter lights follow this basic sequence of operation:
Solar lights should get direct sunlight. But they will still work with partial shade or clouds, but it might just take a little longer for the battery to charge or the lights won’t be as bright as with a full 100% sunlight charge.
To get the best performance out of your solar lights, you’ll need to consider where you are placing them. It’s best to choose a location that will get direct sunlight for most of the day. This will recharge the battery most effectively.
But this won’t always be possible. Sometimes, you will have to deal with shade from nearby trees. At other times, the clouds will block out the sun. The good news is that this isn't a major problem. They will still charge on cloudy days; it might just take a little longer.
Plus, a little rain could be good for the lights. It helps to clean off the solar panels, getting rid of any dust or grime.
There shouldn't be any problems leaving a solar light outdoors in the winter. The colder weather won't impact the amount of solar radiation hitting the panels, so the batteries will still charge, and the device will work as intended.
How your lights will handle the colder conditions will depend on the model you select. There should be a recommended temperature range in the product specifications. For example, STKR’s EZ gutter lights are rated to work between -4°F to 113°F (-20°C to 45°C).
The temperature shouldn't have an impact on how effective the lights are. What will most likely affect your solar gutter lights in the winter is the location you chose to install them. The sun may not hit the same spots on your house as its lower during the winter than during the summer so you may have to adjust location as needed.
The good news is that it isn’t difficult to install solar gutter lights. Though the type of method used to hang them might vary, including:
The good news is that attaching the lights is usually easy; you just need to follow the instructions that came with the fixture. It should only take a few minutes. Once it’s in place, it should come on automatically once it starts to get dark.
In some cases, you will be able to adjust the gutter light. In some models, you can change the angle or the brightness to better suit your needs. Of course, if you want to further brighten your home, you can simply use more gutter lights.
The only maintenance you will need to perform is keeping the solar panel clean. Though rain should help wash away any dirt and grime.
There are dozens of solar gutter lights to choose from. But you will need to be careful about the model you select. You need something that will be powerful, durable, and easy to install. With these elements in mind, we created this list of the top 2 solar gutter lights.
There are plenty of features that make this model stand out. First, it has a 10-hour runtime, so it will be able to last all night. It is waterproof, can cope with harsh weather conditions, and comes with a one-year warranty period. Plus, it’s lightweight and utilizes thumb screws, both of which make it very easy to install. These lights are compatible with nearly all gutter types and will work with most gutter guards.
However, the main reason this light stands out is how easy it is to use. All you need to do is find the right place for it and spend a few minutes installing it. After that, you can relax with the powerful 600-lumen lights covering a large area. Plus, it has a sensor that will automatically turn on the light when it gets dark.
If you want more control over the light direction, you might want to consider the Home Security Spotlight. This model goes one step further than the Home Security Floodlight, with a powerful dual spotlight feature that can light up your backyard.
You can bend and twist the FLEXIT material of the spotlight arms to point the spotlights in many different directions. A great installation scenario is putting this model near the corner of your home and then directing the spotlights down different sides of your home effectively lighting up two areas with one light fixture.
Both options are good for deterring thieves. But they are also a great choice for those who love to host outdoor parties and want a well-lit deck and landscaping. Or maybe you just want to leave porch lights on that don’t run up your electricity bill every month.
Solar gutter lights are a simple and relatively inexpensive way to improve your home. They will be able to keep your house lit all night, creating a more welcoming exterior while deterring thieves. Plus, they are low-maintenance and won’t cost a cent to run. So, if you are looking to brighten your home, consider installing a solar gutter light.
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