A garden can truly be a thing of beauty that can increase your property’s value as much as your quality of life. But there’s more to this feature than merely lush greenery and flowers with vivid colours; the picturesque haven can also consist of components such as the landscaping, the water elements like fountains and ponds, the lighting, and the heating in case you use the area year-round.
To be able to marvel at this beauty properly and keep it functioning at its best, having reliable garden electrics is part of the deal. Much like the indoors, the outdoors of a home has its own unique needs when it comes to power use, especially if some more tools and features require it to be powered up. More so given the role of outdoor spaces nowadays – extensions of our indoor comfort. This poses the question:
What Can I Use for Power Outside?
To ensure optimal energy usage whenever and wherever needed while maintaining optimal safety, considering there are specific environmental conditions different from indoor use, you first have to pick power management products intended for the outdoors, focusing on water- and weather-proofing. Essentials can be:
Junction Boxes
When you have a bigger garden space, you like to make the most of it with a range of components. Whether it’s powering maintenance tools like lawnmowers and powerwashers, outdoor lighting features or irrigation systems for watering the plants, heating or filtering the pond, hot tub or pool water, you need to be backed up by an adequate weatherproof junction box. This type of garden electricity offers a secure enclosure for all the wiring connections while protecting against moisture and issues that could arise from it, including potential electrical hazards.
Cables
There’s no installing and operating appliances, features, and devices without the help of proper cables. As safety is paramount, these should be garden cables made with specifics regarding garden safety and versatility. What sets these cables apart from the rest is the fact they’re created to withstand fluctuating temperatures, UV exposure, as well as moisture from splashes, rain, and snow, all the result of the choice of sturdy materials, their insulating, stranding, and thickness.
Extension Cords
Sometimes, we have more appliances than we have sockets for, or they’re dispersed throughout the garden area where there aren’t that many sockets around. In either case, getting extension cords can come in handy with powering up everything that’s needed for an alfresco bar and kitchen area, or a cosy lounge area, for example. But, to be able to do so, we must first make sure we choose cords made for outdoor use and designed with weather-resistant materials for heavy-duty use.
Timers
In times like today, when there’s an increase in the price of energy bills, saving up wherever possible is a prudent choice that can benefit not only your budget but the environment too, as it leads to a reduction of the carbon footprint. Luckily, with solutions like convenient electrics in garden supplies in the example of timers, it’s a piece of cake to automate the whole operation of the appliances and devices in your lovely outdoor space.
Available in digital (with remote control and Wi-Fi operation) as well as mechanical options, you can easily set them up to the desired on-and-off times for each of your lighting fixtures and fittings, pumps, and decorative features. Some go as far as controlling the level of water in your water elements, which is great if you need a constant water supply, such as in the case of a koi pond. The detection and fill-up process can all be automated, making maintaining the water depth easier even when you’re not around.
Voltage Stabilisers
There are times when external conditions, like temperature fluctuations or exposure to the weather, may not be the only problem you should be cautious about, as the risk of voltage fluctuations can lead to potential damage. This is especially true for sensitive garden equipment (a good example being smart appliances), that could lead to costly repairs or replacements.
To prevent the disruption or destruction that sudden power surges or drops can lead to, it’s advisable to invest in garden electric supplies, such as voltage stabilisers designed to automatically adjust the voltage to the adequate range.
GFCI Outlets
When you’re around some of the water features and there’s the threat of splashes, you need as much protection against electrical shocks, which calls for the use of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets. These are safety features that can come in handy with automatically cutting off the power supply upon detection of a ground fault.
Solar-Powered Solutions
If you further wish to cut down on power expenses, while still having all the comfort the variety of electrical features can offer, then why not turn to the assistance of solar-powered electrical solutions? You can easily harness the power from the sun with reliable solar-powered system components, from panels to chargers, to seamlessly convert this energy into the main power supply for your electricity. Some modern solutions can conveniently generate power even in less-than-favourable conditions when you can’t see the sun clearly.
LED Lighting
When it comes to ensuring the safety and security of your precious outdoor space, there’s no going around lighting – it’s an aspect that has to be taken care of properly. Nowadays, when being on the quest for the ideal floodlights, spotlights, inground lights, deck lights, downlights, or step lights, LEDs are a no-brainer for focused illumination, bright light, long lifespan, as well a reduction in energy consumption.
The market is full of LED options, so you’re sure to find something that matches your needs and taste. Some are powered by the sun, so they can further benefit your budget and help you save energy because they don’t require any external power source. Others can give you the convenience of operating their function at the click of a few buttons thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity allowing you to easily control the illumination from your phone or tablet.
