The sun might be setting a little earlier than it did at the beginning of the year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend the last of your summer evenings outdoors, relaxing with family and friends.
Solar-powered lights trump the use of electricity because they use the sun’s power to operate, which makes them affordable and a sustainable option for the environment.Tony Clarke, Managing Director of the Rawson Property Group, says we all want to do our best to save electricity and develop wise habits to ensure that it’s used sparingly.
In fact, he says with a little bit of planning and some smart investments, this liability could soon be a thing of the past, especially if you consider using these cost-effective and sustainable lighting options.
1. Solar-powered lights
Solar-powered lights trump the use of electricity because they use the sun’s power to operate, which makes them affordable and a sustainable option for the environment.
These nifty little lights are by far the best invention since electricity, plus you don’t need to worry about getting a handyman to install them as there are no wires or cables.
It’s also important to keep in mind which areas around the garden you would like to place these lights as they work best in a sunny location where they can receive enough sunlight to get a full charge.
These lights can power up and beautifully light up your garden for those summer evenings.
We all know that candles and the great outdoors can be a risky combo, however, with the help and protection of glass jars you can light up your entire back garden without worrying about burning anything down.Solar-powered lights are available from most DIY, outdoor gardening and lighting stores around South Africa, and prices start from R80 per light.
2. Jar lights
We all know that candles and the great outdoors can be a risky combo, however, with the help and protection of glass jars you can light up your entire back garden without worrying about burning anything down.
You can use jars of different shapes and sizes from jam jars to mayonnaise and pickle jars.
Cover the jars in translucent glass paint (or leave as is) and secure a strong cord around the tops of each jar to create a string of DIY fairy lights that you can hang from your veranda.
3. Glow in the dark pots
This idea is great for homeowners who have children or enjoy being creative.
All you need are a few outdoor pot plants and a couple of bottles of glow in the dark spray paint from your nearest DIY store.
Give the pots a few coats of paint, let them dry and set them out to enjoy when the sun goes down.
Battery-powered LED Lights This is a great alternative for those who might not have full access to the sun to fire up solar-powered lights.Glow in the dark spray paint can create a yellow colour film over the pots. You can avoid this by using terracotta coloured pots to paint over.
4. Battery-powered LED Lights
This is a great alternative for those who might not have full access to the sun to fire up solar-powered lights.
LED lights will fare well in any weather condition and they have a long lifespan, which means you won't have to replace them after only a few uses. Plus, with the availability of rechargeable batteries, you’ll save even more.
LED lights are readily available at local DIY stores, outdoors and gardening, and lighting stores.
If you love spending your summer nights outdoors with family and friends, choosing a minimal lighting setup is perhaps the best option for using less energy overall. Remember, the key is to strategically light only what’s necessary.
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