Water features are more than a beautiful addition to your home; the sound of running water has also been scientifically proven to be relaxing and medically beneficial. But while it is common to see electric water features, more and more people are turning to solar powered bird baths and fountains. They offer more benefits than their electric counterparts and can be just as relaxing. But are solar powered water features any good? Let’s find out.
How Do Solar Powered Water Features Work?
As the name suggests, solar-powered water features get their power from the sun through solar panels. The panels can be separated from the feature and placed in a strategic area or attached to the feature. Water features with separate solar panels can be placed anywhere in your home, including indoors, as long as you place the panels in direct sunlight. In contrast, features with attached panels can only run in the garden, preferably in the sunniest spot available.
The solar panels that harness solar energy for these water features contain photovoltaic cells that convert energy from the sun into electricity. They are usually directly connected to the water pump so that they can power the submerged impeller in the pump and produce a water spray or jet. Consequently, it only makes sense that solar water features work best in areas with uninterrupted sunshine.
If you live in a location with constant cloud cover, how well your water feature works will depend on the quality of the solar panels and pumps. However, you can circumvent this problem by purchasing a solar water feature with a backup battery system.
Do Solar Water Features Work at Night?
Essentially, there are two primary reasons a solar-powered water feature may stop working: The pump might have sediment build-up, or the feature might not be receiving enough sunlight. You can fix the first problem by cleaning the water pump and the second by moving the panels to a sunnier spot. But what happens when night falls? Will your water feature still work?
Technically, it will depend on the design of the feature. Some water features come with a backup battery system, which stores power and runs the feature when there is little or no sunlight. Others can only run when the sun is shining and will go off several minutes after it goes dark.
Benefits of Solar-Powered Water Features
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Reduced Costs
These wonderful garden decorations run on sunlight, and therefore they will significantly cut your energy bill. This means that you do not have to worry about the costs you are accruing while your water fountain runs all day and night. Additionally, solar water features do not require a lot of assembly and maintenance, so you can also save on electrician and assembly fees.
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Negated Risk
Another amazing benefit of these features is that they do not have electric cables. This is a vital perk because crisscrossing electric wires can take away from the ambiance created by a water fountain in your garden. Even worse, they can pose a tripping or electrocution hazard. The fact that there are no wires involved means that you have more say over where you place your solar water pond, or your environmentally friendly waterfall, at your home.
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Ecofriendly Choice
Perhaps one of the most enticing benefits of these solar driven decorations, is that they are very eco-friendly. Solar-powered devices, in general, do not emit fumes or gas and are very energy efficient. Why? Because they do not run on fossil fuels but are powered by the sun’s renewable energy.
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Durability
If you purchase a high-quality solar-powered water feature from a reputable manufacturer, you can expect many years of excellent performance and value for your money. The reason is that there are no moving parts for the production of energy. So, while a pump may wear out, or break, the solar panel will usually do it’s job for years and years.
How Long Do Solar-Powered Water Features Last?
This ties in with the previous explanation about durability. Having said that, we can expand a bit further. On average, a solar battery charged to maximum capacity will run your water feature for about 4 hours without sunlight. You can usually achieve maximum charge by leaving the panels out in the sun for t to 3 days with the pump turned off. In general, the battery’s lifespan will depend on the manufacturer.
When it comes to the solar pump, most models have a 2 to 4-year lifespan. This number will vary depending on how well you take care of the pump. For example, you should clean the pump regularly and avoid exposing the panels to direct sunlight too often.
Should You Get a Battery Backup?
One of the most common concerns for homeowners is whether a solar panel alone will be enough to power the water pump. If a water feature solely depends on constant sunlight to work, a shadow or cloudy day could mean systems down for your garden. This is why some of these systems are fitted with battery backup systems that keep the feature running even when the weather changes. If you live in a location without constant sunlight, this is a worthy investment.
Solar Power – Initial Cost
Obviously, you will not be paying any maintenance costs or electricity bills for your solar-powered water feature, but is it the more affordable option? The initial cost of installing the feature will likely be a tad higher than installing a similar mains-powered feature. Fortunately, solar water features do not have ongoing costs, so the money you save in the long run should make up for the initial price.
So, Are Solar Powered Water Features Any Good?
Absolutely! Solar powered water features are an excellent and worthwhile addition to any home. This is especially true for systems with a backup battery power option that will keep them running when the weather changes. When picking the ideal solar water feature for your home, consider factors like the material and whether the solar panel is separate or attached to the feature.
Overall, water features are attractive to birds and other wildlife, versatile, relaxing, and visually appealing. Throw in the option of renewable energy, and you have a useful feature that leaves no carbon footprint and comes with zero electricity costs. You should opt for a solar water feature if you are in the market for the following perks:
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Minimal installation requirements
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Low maintenance
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Zero wiring and cables
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An eco-friendly, energy-efficient water feature
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No running costs
Conclusion
Are solar powered water features any good? Generally, these environmentally green water features are the most eco-friendly and energy-efficient way to liven up your garden. Not only do they add pizazz to your outdoor space, but they also encourage wildlife to visit your garden while saving energy costs. Even better, they are completely functional and run well enough if they are exposed to enough sunlight.