Everyone needs lights in their home to provide a little illumination during the hours of darkness. The various lights available are both practical and decorative and are simple to control. Most lights work with a simple on/off switch, although if you are looking for a more sophisticated way of controlling your lights a motion sensor light switch is an option to consider.
As the name suggests a motion detector light switch has the capabilities of turning a light on and off using motion detection. It is fitted with a sensor which can detect movement within a certain range and when it senses this movement it will turn the light on automatically. As long as there is movement in the room the lights will remain on. However most motion sensor switches for lights are generally set to also turn lights off automatically. They will usually have a set period of time, which is usually at least 10 to15 minutes, during which if no movement is detected they will turn of the light.
The major benefit which can be gained by using a motion detector light switch is cost saving. If a standard light is left on by mistake then it will stay on until such time that this is noticed and someone flicks the switch to turn the light off. However the light can be left burning for a long period of time before it is switched off. With a motion detector switch the light will be automatically switched off after a set period of time when no movement is detected. If you regularly leave lights on by mistake, therefore, a motion detector switch can be a good choice and can help to save money by ensuring that lights are not left switched on for long periods of time.
There are a few companies that manufacture motion detector light switches with some of these including General Electric, Leviton and Heath Zenith. They can be found for sale in a few locations with hardware stores such as Ace Hardware and online retailers such as Smart Home being options to consider.
A motion detector light switch is not overly expensive to purchase and for the money it can save you it can be a worthwhile investment. Most are sized to fit in a standard wall light box fitting and prices can start around the $10 to $20 mark. An example of this is the Heath Zenith SL-6107-WH Motion Activated Wall Switch. This costs around $18 to purchase and is able to detect motion in a 150 degree range at up to 30 feet away. It is fitted with a timer which can be set for a time period of up to 20 minutes after which the light will be turned off automatically if no motion is detected.
Costs for more sophisticated motion detection switches can rise up to around $80. The Leviton ODS0D-IDW Dual Relay Occupancy Sensor switch is an example of this. This switch is capable of controlling two separate units and costs around $82. It can be useful in situations such as a ceiling fan and light which need separate switches to control them.
If you are looking for simple ways to cut your energy costs then a motion detector light switch is an option to consider. They are affordable to install and by switching lights of automatically they will ensure that lights are not left burning by mistake in your home or office.