Carl Stubbs
To reduce expenses and to help protect the environment, in early 2021 our household started taking a number of measures to cut our energy consumption. Those measures have proven successful: total 2021 electricity consumption in our single-family, detached home in the US SE was about 8,000 kWh (3,200 of which was for HVAC), compared to about 11,000 kWh annual average in previous years. [UPDATE on 1/1/23: our total electricity consumption in 2022 dropped even further to just 5,500 kWh (1,600 of which was for HVAC) for the year. We have HALVED our electricity consumption. Huge savings. These solar lights continue to operate beautifully despite exceptional heat this past summer and record-breaking winter cold these past weeks.]
The installation of solar outside lighting is part of our strategy, allowing us to save over 150 kWh/year. We are very happy with our easy-to-install, durable Aootek solar lights, as well as with another set of solar lights we purchased from Amazon: Solar Lights Outdoor,WWimy 210 LED 2500LM Motion Sensor Lights with Remote Control, 3 Heads Security LED Flood Lights, IP65 Waterproof, 270° Wide Angle Illumination Wall Lights with 3 Modes (2 Packs): www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08T9F2MM1
Our lights, installed last fall, are all performing well over 6 months later. We shared some of these lights with relatives in the North; they also report that their lights are going strong after a rough winter. Here in our urban, sometimes crime-troubled setting, we like the fact that our lights shine extra bright when motion (possible thieves…) is detected. Our relatives use their lights on their chicken yard; those lights shine bright when a different type of intruder comes by.
Here are some other products we purchased at Amazon that we can recommend to those interested in cutting home energy consumption:
STATINT Window Film Privacy One Way Daytime Mirror Static Non-Adhesive Solar Glass Film Heat Control: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W3VCZNF Dramatically reduces amount of direct sunlight, gives privacy by day, and protects from shattering.
Kuman KW47-US Electricity Usage Monitor Plug Power Watt Voltage Amps Meter with Digital LCD www.amazon.com/Electricity-Monitor-Voltage-Overload-Protection/dp/B07DPJ3RGB Looking back, we can say that purchasing a Usage Monitor Plug has been one of our wisest and most useful moves, and a very inexpensive one at that.
Klein Tools TI250 Rechargeable Thermal Imager: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089QW8R9S This tool, along with the Usage Monitor Plug, gave us a very good picture of where we were wasting energy. It was thanks to this tool that we realized, for example, that our then uninsulated recessed lights were really problematic, prompting us to purchase the following.
FF130E Recessed Light Cover: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XVPUAO If you have recessed lights and they’re not well insulated in the attic, energy wastage can be massive. These were easy to put in, sealed with Great Stuff: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KSANBTY
AcuRite Wireless Indoor Outdoor Temperature and Humidity Sensor: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T0K8NXC We got two of these to go with our AcuRite weather station. They allow us to monitor temperature and humidity in four places at once: outside, in our living room, in our crawlspace, and in our unfinished attic. Thanks to these readings, we have established a smarter, more energy-efficient way of ventilating our crawlspace. They also helped us see that our attic needed additional ventilation in the roof, prompting us to purchase the following.
4 SEASONS Solar Powered Polycarbonate Vent, Weatherproof Design, Quietly Cools Up to 500 Sq Ft, 400 CFM: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DMSCPJA
RYB HOME Room Darkening Patio Door Curtain, Hanging Room Divider Screen Insulated Drapes Privacy Wall Panel: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D32DJ2V , as well as RYB HOME Blackout Curtains & Drapes - Total Privacy Thermal Efficiency Backdrop Curtains for Bedroom Room Divider Vertical Blind Living Room Patio Sliding Glass Door: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077SZRBNJ
Grandekor Blackout Window Blinds and Shades Cordless Cellular Shades: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NWBGVL3
| Brand | Aootek |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Material | Plastic,Fiber |
| Style | Classic |
| Light fixture form | Spotlight |
| Room Type | step lights |
| Product Dimensions | 7"L x 4.64"W x 3.74"H |
| Specific Uses For Product | step lights |
| Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Outdoor |
| Power Source | Solar Powered, Battery Powered |
| Installation Type | Flush Mount |
| Special Feature | Waterproof, Motion-Sensor |
| Control Method | Remote |
| Light Source Type | LED |
| Shade Material | Plastic |
| Number of Light Sources | 120 |
| Voltage | 3.7 Volts |
| Included Components | 4 x Solar Powered Wall Light |
| Embellishment | Crystal |
| Warranty Type | Limited |
| Lighting Method | LED |
| Item Weight | 1.8 Pounds |
| Number of Items | 4 |
| Wattage | 3.7 watts |
| Controller Type | Push Button |
| Switch Type | Push Button |
| Unit Count | 4.0 Count |
| Water Resistance Level | Waterproof |
| Brightness | 500 Lumen |
| Efficiency | High Efficiency |
| Mounting Type | step light |
| Shade Color | White |
| Fixture Type | step light |
| Assembly Required | Yes |
| Manufacturer | Aootek |
| UPC | 850059544679 701256875380 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00701256875380 |
| Model Name | Upgraded High Efficiency 36 LEDs with 11.8 in² Solar Panel, |
| Part Number | Solar Lights |
| Item Weight | 1.8 pounds |
| Item model number | AK07 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Special Features | Waterproof, Motion-Sensor |
| Plug Format | A- US style |
| Batteries Included? | Yes |
| Batteries Required? | Yes |
| Wattage | 2 Watts |
