4 Myths About Solar Deck Lights—And Why You Shouldn’t Believe Them
Solar deck lights can be a great way to enhance your deck and ensure that you can continue enjoying it once the sun has gone down. In addition, solar deck lights can function as safety lighting, illuminating areas of your deck like stairs that may require more attention to navigate. Unfortunately, solar deck lights have gotten a bad rap because of outdated information. Here are 4 myths about solar deck lights that no don’t hold water.
They’ll only work on sunny days.
Solar lights work by charging a battery during sunny times. This energy is then used to power the lights once it’s dark. How much sunlight is converted to power depends on the size of the solar panel as well as how much sun hits it. How much charge it holds will depend on the capacity of the battery. While the dollar store sells solar landscaping lights that you can quickly embed in your garden, chances are those lights won’t last long and illuminate much. This is because of the cheap componentry used—not because of the technology behind solar energy and solar powered lights. Investing in quality lights that have a large battery can help you light up the night, even on less than optimal days.
The light is too blue.
Some individuals find the LEDs used in solar powered lights to be too blue for their taste. Understanding the Color Rendition Index (CRI) can help you select a light that works best for you. The CRI helps you determine the color of a light. A higher CRI indicates the light given off by a bulb is closer to sunlight. Softer or warmer light is lower on the Kelvin scale and feature a lower CRI. These lights give off a more yellowish color. Bright white lights have a higher CRI and are in the middle range of the Kelvin scale around 4500K. Light gets blue with a higher CRI.
If the color of the light is a concern for you, it is important to investigate the CRI of the bulbs used. Mention your desire for a softer light to a skilled solar deck lighting representative and they will be able to help you determine which lights may be best suited for your deck.
The fixtures are unattractive.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and whoever beheld solar deck lights and found them unattractive surely didn’t look around enough. Thanks to solar’s reputation as a clean source of energy, there’s been plenty of innovation and creativity to keep up with demand for more fixtures. Homeowners will be happy to know they have numerous choices of fixtures and can pick one that fits their style. Because of its popularity, solar deck lights are no longer one-style-fits-all.
The tech isn’t that good.
While this may have been true a couple of decades ago, solar technology has come a long way. Improvements to every aspect of solar power have served to increase their usage. In addition, solar energy-related jobs have increased at an alarming rate, highlighting the importance of the technology and the innovations that have propelled it forward as one of the best sources of energy. Improvements to panels, bulbs, and batteries continue to be made, benefitting both homeowners and society at large.
Don’t fall prey to the solar deck light myths! Solar deck lights can be an attractive, environmentally-friendly way to illuminate your deck. With various styles available, you can be sure to find something that fits your lighting needs.
Enjoy the evening and keep the party going by consulting with a skilled representative from Decks & Docks. Get in touch today.