Why SnapRays Guidelight Is Killing It on Kickstarter

I’m a Kickstarter junky, and you should be, too. It’s a great place to find incredible, eco-friendly technologies that might be just the trick for your future LEED designs, whether residential or commercial. The SnapRays Guidelight may very well be one of those awesome technologies that makes it into every one of your green building projects in the months ahead.

While pledge levels are not always indicative of total market success, the SnapRays Guidelight has been welcomed with open arms - wide open arms. After less than a week on the site, they’ve raised more than $230,000 from more than 4,500 backers. What’s particularly awesome about this is that they were only seeking a mere $12,000 and still have three weeks of fundraising left!

The SnapRays Guidelight looks just like a standard, flush outlet covering, but naturally there’s a very cool value-add: light emitting diodes at the base that provide illumination without taking up either of the outlets. These LEDs are equipped with a light sensor that automatically turn the LEDs on in the dark and off in the light, allowing for optimal energy savings. And, of course, because they are LEDs, their longevity is unrivaled.

Plus, it only takes seconds to install -- a sticking point that was critical to creator and experienced electrician, Jeremy Smith. Simply turn off the power to the outlet, remove the traditional covering and snap the Guidelights patented “Power Extractors” around the internal receptacle. Fasten in place, turn the power back on, and voila! (The Guidelight is UL approved.)

They currently offer duplex and decor coverings in three shades - white, light almond and ivory. Note, however, that they don’t offer a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet alternative at this time.

There are so many reasons to love this. First the Guidelight is a super sleek design as compared to some of the other alternatives on the market that serve as guide lights for those middle of the night trips around the house. According to their statistics, it also cost less than 10 cents a year to power.

Plus, as a parent, I know firsthand the difficulties of finding a suitable nightlight for littles. Some aren’t very bright or shine in too many directions, and all of them are extremely attractive to tiny fingers. The Guidelight is childproofed and just requires the same plugs that every other outlet needs during toddler years.

All in all, I’m giving it two thumbs up.