ADD ECO-FRENDLY
SOUND AND MOTION
TO YOUR LANDSCAPE
WITH SOLAR WATER FOUNTAINS
ADD ECO-FRENDLY
SOUND AND MOTION
TO YOUR LANDSCAPE
WITH SOLAR WATER FOUNTAINS
Tradition water fountains needed plumbing, extra utility costs, and often landscape disruptions or ugly cords to provide electricity to fountains.
A few years back, solar water fountains started to gain become popular. Many were, and some still are, limited in how you could enjoy them because they ran directly off of a solar panel. While they let you add water features to outdoor areas more easily, most only worked when the sun shined directly on them.
Solar Fountains That Work When the Sun's Not Out
New solar water fountains now use "Solar-On-Demand" technology that lets the fountain work when the full sun powers the pump, and from a battery storing solar energy. The result: solar fountains now are available that work directly off of the solar panel by day while they simultaneously store solar power in a rechargeable battery.
Solar-on-demand lets fountains run automatically or when you'll enjoy them most, even at night after a busy day or during special occasions when the sun isn't out.
The solar panel (typically about 6 or 8 inches in diameter, connects to the pump by a thin cord up to 16 feet long, so you can place the fountain where you want (in full or partial shade and on covered porches or balconies) and put the panel in full sun. Unlike extension cords, solar connectors are small and unobtrusive and easily covered by mulch, plantings, or even rugs or mats such as those often found on balconies.
Today's solar fountains come in a wide range of sizes and styles. From modern, to traditional English or European motifs, or whimsical, there's a lot to choose from.
Finding Solar Fountains Online
Finding more a wide selection of solar fountains sometimes is a chore on Google, Bing, Yahoo or other search engines. Often, first pages don't display the wide range of solar fountains.
Instead, you'll often see the same fountains featured over the first two pages (or more) since many search results are based on how much the seller pays for the listing rather than the value to the consumer or the photo and product description.
Since high position in many search engines cost big money (many large retailers spend over $10,000 a month on online advertising alone), smaller retails that often have the most diverse source of products often can't play the same way the big stores can, particularly later in the day when relatively small daily budgets are tapped out.
But, It Is Usually Best to Buy Solar Products from Solar Specialty Shops Just like with solar lights, you're often going to get the best value for your money from a solar specialty firm, and more likely to get exactly what you want.
Larger stores, particularly when solar is a miniscule portion of their inventory, just can't provide the customer service to find the fountain perfect for you. Reps generally won't be able to discuss various solar features, such as which fountains run only in direct sun and which run when you want.
Smaller specialty shops,usually are more able and willing to help you find products that may not even be on their websites. Smaller stores may cost a bit more than the big box stores, but they can shift stock more quickly to meet customer demand.
Just like solar lighting, odds are you may pay more for better products and better guidance, but you'll probably also find an eco-friendly and convenient solar fountain that's perfect for you.
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