While installing solar power in your home can be an expensive proposition, it’s not expensive to install solar power outside the house.

Solar lights are run on batteries that are charged by the sun. They’re great for walkways, garden paths or lampposts and the fixtures cost about the same as conventional outdoor lighting. The bonus is that they don’t cost anything to run once you install them. When choosing solar lights, do some research on how long the battery cells last. Some will last for up to 20 years.

Fountains can be powered by solar pumps. There’s a large variety of fountains from simple bubblers to long cascading waterfalls that can all be powered for free with solar energy.

There are even umbrellas with solar lights built in.

As the heat from the sun can save you money outdoors, it can also cause you to turn up the air conditioner. Consider planting shady trees to keep your house cool.