The Solar Gutter Light - A Brief Guide
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.
What Are Gutter Lights?
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:
- Added security. Thieves don’t like to target well-lit houses, as there is a great risk that they will be spotted.
- Highlighting your garden. The lights can be a good way of showing off your garden or home at night. This can be ideal if you like to have outdoor parties.
- Improved safety. It’s common to put solar gutter lights over walkways and doorways, ensuring that you can safely and easily get into your home at night.
How do Solar Gutter Lights Work?
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:
- First, the photovoltaic sensor at the top of the light collects the sunlight.
- The sunlight is then converted into electrical energy with the help of a photovoltaic cell. Finally, the electrical energy is stored in the battery inside the light fixture.
- A photosensitive sensor recognizes when it is getting darker and turns the light on.
Do Solar Lights Need Direct Sunlight To Work?
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.
Is It OK To Leave Solar Lights Out In The Winter?
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.
How Do You Hang Solar Lights on Gutters?
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:
- Clips. Sometimes, there will be a clip that slides over the edge of your gutter.
- Screws. If you are attaching it to a fence or awning, you might have to use a bracket that is held in place by screws.
- Butterfly screws. This is the method that STKR EZ solar lights employ. You simply need to put the light into the gutter and tighten the butterfly screw to hold it in place. You can do this with your fingers; there aren't any tools required.
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.
Top 2 Solar Gutter Lights
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.
EZ Solar Home Security Floodlight
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.
EZ Solar Home Security Spotlight
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.
Final Thoughts
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.
