If you are interested in using solar electricity at your home, but you are afraid that it will be too expensive, it is important to realize that there are several options available to you. Not all of these will break the bank, and many will remain inside a predetermined budget that you set for yourself. Read on for more information about how to inexpensively light up both the inside and outside of your house. Thinking small can help you reduce your electricity bill and help out the environment at the same time.
First, consider solar tubes. These ingenious little devices are a great option if you are looking to brighten up a smaller area, such as a bathroom. They won't cost you a lot, either; the cheapest options run a little more than a hundred dollars while the most expensive ones will still be under a thousand. If you want to utilize this option, the space you are considering putting it in has to receive direct sunlight for a good portion of the day. You can put it in yourself, although having a professional do it may be easier for some people who are not very handy around the house. Once installed, the solar tube appears to be simple a normal light fixture to anyone who is not aware of what you had done.
Attic fans that are powered by the sun's rays are also an option. These will cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to about 700 dollars. They help keep the attic area from getting too warm; depending on how big your attic is, you might have to buy two or more fans to have much of an effect. Much like the solar tubes, these will only work if the area of the roof where you are installing them receives a good deal of sunlight during the day.
If you want to brighten up an outdoor area, think about using solar lights. These can be placed in a garden or patio area or just used out front for security lighting. If you want to put them along a path, you will find that one light will run you about ten dollars. If you want to go all out and buy a post light, you won't pay more than a hundred dollars to get one. This option is perfect for anyone who really wants to make a difference in their outdoor lighting but who isn't keen on having an electrician come up and mess up their yard. Research the product before you buy it, however, to ensure that it will perform the function that you have in mind for it.
Solar energy doesn't have to be expensive. You can make a big difference in the appearance of your home, and help out your electricity bill, by choosing to utilize one of the options above. Of course, purchasing solar panels for your roof is always an option, too, if you decide to go that route. Keep in mind, though, that it will cost you tens of thousands of dollars to do and will take quite a while to pay itself back. Start out with one of the simpler products above and then branch out from there!