Harnessing solar power is more than just a trend today; it has become a necessity for many due to escalating utility charges and the need to promote sustainable living practices. To cater to these needs, solar-powered lighting systems have gained enormous popularity in the past few years.
Among all the solar-powered light types available in the market, solar flood lights have created a niche for themselves for their brightness and wide coverage area. In this comprehensive buying guide, we'll ensure you know all there is to consider when buying outdoor solar flood lights to make an effective purchase decision.
Why Choose Outdoor Solar Flood Lights?
Solar flood lights are an excellent investment for homeowners looking to brighten up their outdoor area without a spike in their electricity bill. These lights come with photovoltaic cells that collect sunlight throughout the day then convert and store it as electrical energy to power the light source when the sun goes down.
Advantages of Solar Flood Lights
- Energy Efficiency: As these flood lights operate solely on solar energy, they are extremely energy efficient and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Cost-Effective: Solar flood lights help save on your monthly electricity bills and also offer low maintenance costs.
- Easy Installation: Unlike conventional outdoor lights, solar flood lights free you from the hassle of wires and can be installed anywhere you wish.
Key Aspects to Consider When Buying Solar Flood Lights
Before purchasing a solar flood light, consider these key aspects to make sure you're investing in the right product for your home.
Lighting Needs
The first step in selecting the right solar flood light for your outdoor space is to assess your lighting needs. Are you looking for security lights to keep intruders away? Or do you need illuminating lights for your outdoor patio or garden? The determination of purpose is essential as it defines the kind of light, its brightness, coverage area, and other features you need.
Brightness
Brightness or luminous flux, measured in lumens, determines how bright the light will be. Solar flood lights have a wide range of lumen output starting from 700 Lumens (great for patios and gardens) to 10,000 Lumens (ideal for security and large area lighting).
Battery Life
Solar flood lights have various battery types like lead batteries, Lithium-Ion batteries, or NiMH batteries. Lights with Lithium-Ion batteries are preferable as they charge faster and hold the charge longer. Battery capacity and the number of hours the lights can stay on also play a significant role in choosing the right light.
Solar Panel Efficiency
The efficiency of the solar panels is another vital factor as it determines how well the light can charge. It’s ideal to opt for solar flood lights with monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels as they generally have good efficiency rates.
Weatherproofing
Consider the weather-resistant features of the flood light. It should come with an IP rating for water and dust resistance. It’s also a big plus if it is made from weatherproof materials such as tempered glass and heavy-duty metal.
Automatic Controls
Solar flood lights with auto on/off function are highly convenient as they automatically light up as darkness falls and turn off with daylight. Some advanced models also offer motion sensor features to enhance security.
Adjustability
The ability to adjust or rotate the solar panel and the lights, yourself, could help you get the most out of your solar flood lights. Ensure that solar panels can be adjusted to face the sun directly.
Where Can We Find the Best Solar Flood Lights?
We believe that the best place to start your search for the perfect solar flood light is right here at Querencian. Our Outdoor Lighting collection encompasses a wide range of premium solar flood lights to cater to diverse lighting needs.
Also check out our Frontpage collection and Patio collection for more exciting options to brighten up your outdoors.
Final Thoughts
Adding solar flood lights to your outdoor lighting setup not only saves energy and costs but also contributes to creating a sustainable planet. By evaluating your needs and considering the factors enlisted in this solar flood light buying guide, you’ll be able to make an informed decision for a glorious and eco-friendly exterior lighting design.
For more lighting inspiration and advice, do take a look at our blog post on light installation troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we'll answer some commonly asked questions that customers have when deciding on the best solar flood lights to purchase.
What should I look for when buying solar flood lights?
When shopping for solar flood lights, consider the following factors:
- Brightness: Check the lumens rating for brightness.
- Battery Life: Look for lights with lithium-ion batteries as they charge faster and hold the charge longer.
- Lighting Needs: Are you looking for security, ambient, or task lighting?
- Efficiency of Solar Panels: Opt for flood lights with efficient solar panels like monocrystalline or polycrystalline types.
- Weatherproofing: Ensure your lights have good weather-resistant features to withstand different climate conditions.
- Controls and Adjustability: Lights with auto on/off and motion sensor technology can provide convenience and added security.
What is the best solar outdoor flood light?
Determining the "best" solar outdoor flood light depends on the specific needs of each individual. However, Querencian offers a diverse range of high-quality and efficient solar flood lights in its Outdoor Lighting collection. You're sure to find something that perfectly fits your requirements.
How many lumens do I need for a flood light?
The number of lumens attached to a flood light defines its brightness. For small areas like backyards or patios, 700 to 1500 lumens would usually suffice. However, for more substantial areas or for enhanced security, you may require a flood light with up to 10,000 lumens.
What is the recommended flood light buying guide?
This very article is indeed a comprehensive buying guide we recommend for purchasing solar flood lights. To recap, evaluate your lighting needs, consider the brightness, battery life, solar panel efficiency, weatherproofing, automatic controls, and adjustability before making a final decision.
We encourage you to explore our Querencian collection for a wide range of solar flood light options, including some perfect choices in our Patio collection as well.