Indoor Solar Water Fountain

Solar powered water fountains can be used on the inside of the home as well as outdoors. We think of household solar power as being generated by roof solar panels. With just a little push on the proverbial box, and a short wire, solar powered water fountains can come indoors.

When selecting a solar powered water fountain, choose a model with a detachable solar panel. The solar panel can be located directly outside a nearby window or exterior wall. Usually a 10 to fifteen foot connector cord is provided. Solar panels do not store energy, so the solar panel will only power the water pump while exposed to direct sunlight. Installing in this manner would be the GREEN scenario, enjoying the water fountain while mother nature provides the power.

In order to enjoy the water fountain when mother nature is not in the mood, there are a couple of additional options. The first would be to purchase the same fountain as described above with the addition of an A/C adaptor (for indoor use only). The A/C adaptor will power the water fountain when there is no sunshine.

The other option is to add a battery back up system to the solar panel. This will store un-used energy collected by the solar panel, for use when the sun is not shining.

So a solar powered water fountain is an option several of your indoor decorating plans. If the fountain location you have chosen is 20, 30 or 40 feet from an exterior wall, the solar fountain may not work for you. Remember we are stretching that thinking box, so a little creativity may just make even the tough solar powered water fountain location work.

Water Fountain Extremes

Searching through the internet for water fountains can provide some real extremes in the search results. We found this amazing rendition of what is planned to be the worlds largest water fountain. This picture was found at Luxurylaunches.com.
















Another result netted us this cute little water fountain. This was found at Funbuy.com and must be fairly popular as it was out of stock at that time.

Going Green With Solar Water Fountains

"Going Green" is a term which is being used in almost every aspect of our life. Even outdoor water fountains can go green. With energy efficiency playing a larger role in the design and construction of houses and buildings, it is also being integrated into outdoor landscaping and decoration.

Solar water fountains use a renewable energy source to power its operation. As long as the sun continues to shine on us, the solar water fountain will continue to please us with the sounds and vision of moving water. What better way to enjoy your outdoor water fountain than to know the electric meter is not spinning in order to power the fountain. The primary goal in energy efficient housing is to slow down the electric meter, why not continue that effort outdoors.

Solar powered water fountains have many advantages. The first is obvious in that it reduces the use of non-renewable energy sources. The energy required to power your solar fountain is FREE. Solar powered water fountains do not require major electrical work, which normally requires an Electrician. This make installation of your fountain much simpler.

There are many varieties of solar water fountains and solar powered outdoor lighting. There are several retailers, including home improvement and Internet stores offering good selections of the solar powered water fountains.

Solar Water Fountains Types

Solar powered water fountains are an alternative to conventional electric water fountains. The solar fountain offers many benefits. There are three basic types of solar water fountains.

Direct power solar water fountains operate only when exposed to direct sun light. If the sun is not shining on the solar panel, the panel can not produce power. The solar panel is either a built in feature of the water fountain or is remotely located. Direct powered solar pumps do not have batteries or any other way to store energy.

Submersible solar fountain pumps are fully submersible in most any form of garden water feature. These units produce an above water spray. Power for the submersible pumps are drawn from a remote solar panel.

Battery backup solar pumps have a rechargeable battery. This battery recharges during the sunny part of the day. The stored energy in the battery is then used to power the water fountain pump and or lights at night. These units are more expensive than the other types but provide the pleasures of your water feature when direct solar power units shut down.

There are a few drawbacks to the solar powered water fountain. The first very obvious, without adequate sunlight the pump will not function. Solar powered pumps do not work well in shady areas or areas that receive little sunlight. Actual location of the solar panel is important as well. If the solar panel of a direct power solar unit falls into shade, the pump shuts down until it receives sunlight again.

Electric Outdoor Water Fountains

When setting up an electric outdoor water fountain, a source of electricity is a requirement. There is quite a bit of discussion on how to wire outdoor water fountains, especially among do it yourself groups. There was one blog posted, after an attempt to wire their own fountain that read something like, I'm still here but I don't know what I did wrong.

For most non-professionals, supplying a new source of electricity is a challenge. Wiring in a new source outdoors is even trickier. There are many details involved in wiring outside. Can a non-professional install wiring to an outdoor fountain, yes. Can it be dangerous, Yes. Some of the details to be looked at are, do I need to add an additional breaker for this supply, is there enough space for a new breaker, do I put in a GFCI breaker? There are also building/electrical codes in most areas that must be met. Incorrect wiring can not only damage you water fountain pump but place your house wiring system in at risk.

The safest way to provide electrical power for your new outdoor water fountain, is first decide exactly where the fountain is to be installed. Have the manufacturer specification sheet for the fountain you are installing. Then call a couple of qualified electricians to provide you with an estimate for installing a new electrical service to your fountain location.

This approach will cost a little money but there is peace of mind knowing your household wiring system has not been compromised.

Outdoor Water Fountain Comparison Fiberglass vs Stone

Fiberglass outdoor fountains are very common and come in many different styles. You can find lightweight outdoor fountains that look like rocks, tiered styles with 1 to 6 levels, Japanese styles and various other unique designs, all constructed of fiberglass materials. These fountains typically have a “stone-like” finish to make them look like real, natural stone fountains. The largest advantage of a fiberglass outdoor fountain is the weight. Being a fiberglass material, your garden fountain will be kept at a manageable weight, thus making it easier to maneuver, move and clean. Many of the fiberglass tiered fountains although they can be tall, have a spin lock system so the pieces can come apart for easy storage in cold months and easy cleaning. Another advantage of the fiberglass garden fountains is that they are lighter to ship thus keeping the cost down. One disadvantage of the fiberglass material is that they could fade or chip over time from the sun and elements. However, to offset this, the fading or chipped piece can be fixed by refinishing your fountain with a water proof spray finish. One other point that can be a disadvantage to some is that most lightweight garden fountains are mass produced over seas and are boxed and ready to ship. However, once again, to offset this, it keeps the cost down and allows you to get a water fountain that is produced and ready to ship fast.

Now, let’s discuss stone outdoor fountains. Typically, stone or granite garden fountains are actually cast stone as opposed to solid concrete or granite to keep the weight down. The largest advantage of a cast stone garden fountain is their beauty and strength! Although heavy, they are very stunning and come in many different shapes and sizes. You can get a tiered fountain at almost any height, a smaller unique shaped fountain or a style that is meant to sit flush up against a wall, such as a wall of your home or deck. Another advantage of a cast stone fountain is that you can usually choose your color. The color is done as a stain or actually infused into the stone so it is very permanent so you shouldn’t have to worry about fading or chipping. The obvious disadvantage of cast stone in a garden water feature is the weight. They are heavy so typically you will want to pick a more permanent place for it in your yard. They can be moved, but it will take some time and energy to do so. Cast stone fountains are tougher to clean simply because they typically have to be cleaned where they sit rather than taken apart and cleaned thoroughly. Don’t let this turn you away however as there are many safe fountain care products that will keep your outdoor fountain looking great for many years!

No matter what style or material garden fountain you choose, remember that if you live in a cold climate where you get freezing weather, you need to be aware of the winter care such as draining and covering your fountain before a deep freeze. There are fountain covers that work great or you can just cover it with blankets and a tarp

Table top water fountains

Table top water fountains are a great way to enjoy the soothing effects of water indoors. They are both a decorative item and a stress relieving instrument. Placing a water fountain indoors also adds life (movement) to a room or area. These water fountains come in a range of sizes and materials they are produced from. Finding one to suite your taste should not be a problem. The size will be dictated by the location you choose for the fountain. Most models will plug into a standard household outlet.

Here are a few things to remember with the table top water fountain:

• Experts say to use water that is purified by distillation. This helps reduce mineral build ups, both in the fountain and pump.
• The water should also be changed periodically.
• Don't ever run the pump dry.
• Pumps normally do require maintenance.
• When comparing electric water fountains, ask about the life of the pump.
• Look for models that allow control of the water pressure. This allows for adjustment should the fountain splash outside the fountain.

There are a lot of good locations through out the house to place table top water fountain. One is where ever you like to relax and unwind, read or sit and watch the sun set.