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3 Advantages of Using Occupancy Sensor Controls

For many years, interior lighting design has existed within the confines of the light switch. The nature of the traditional light switch has created the bad habit of leaving the lights on in societies. The companies realized that a large part of their operating costs was contributed to lighting their buildings. The solution to this problem was the introduction of automated lighting controls, and the most notable component of them all would be the occupancy sensor switch. An occupancy sensor replaces or complements a traditional light switch to turn lights on when an occupant is detected in a room and automatically turn lights off when no one is detected in the room for a designated period of time. First introduced for commercial buildings, occupancy sensor controls are now being developed for residential applications and provide commensurate benefits at an affordable price. Three benefits of using these controls in your home include; comfort, energy efficiency and versatility.

convenience

There are many instances in our daily lives where we worry about turning on a light switch to illuminate a hallway or a room we are entering. For example, walking into a room where the light switch is far away and hard to find in the dark. Another would be to enter a room where our hands are often occupied, such as a laundry room or a dressing room. Installing an occupancy sensor switch is an easy solution to eliminate the hassle of putting down your gear and flipping the light switch. Also, when you leave, don’t worry about leaving the lights on because they will automatically turn off when you’re no longer in the room.

Energy efficiency

Perhaps the only reason to develop the occupancy sensor is to create a more energy efficient lighting system and to inherently contribute to the energy efficiency of the entire building. The concept is clear; make it impossible to leave lights on when a space is not occupied. This is exactly what an occupancy sensor switch does. Reducing energy consumption is not only good for the planet, but also for your monthly budget. Residential wall switch occupancy sensors can cost less than $20 and provide lifetime savings on your energy bill by reducing unnecessary consumption.

Versatility

Versatility is an often overlooked advantage of occupancy sensors. The main reason for their use is to control lighting, but they are also capable of controlling other equipment and appliances in your home that run on an outlet controlled by a light switch. Creative thinking can lead to additional unconventional uses for your occupancy sensor and save you more money on your utility bills. To start thinking about uses, look around a room in your home and consider what’s plugged in but never used when you’re not in the room. Some examples could include a fan or space heater, or possibly a coffee maker or toaster. While not much, some of these appliances draw energy even when not in use. Controlling these household items with an automated light switch is a perfect solution to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

These three benefits of occupancy sensor controls can enhance your home in many ways. The convenient and luxurious nature of this automated lighting component is enough to justify its use. However, some building codes are beginning to require the use of occupancy sensors in many cases; for example, California’s Title 24 energy efficient housing regulations.