motion detectors to turn off internal lights

she_grinch

At my workplace we have our lights in the canteen, offices and toilets linked up to motion detecters, therefore if no movement is detected after 5 or 10 mins the lights turn them selves off. My questions are....
Can you have a similar set up in your home?
Would this be incredibly expensive to install?
Would this save you money?
Has anyone tried this at home?
Did it save you money?
Many thanks and I am not at all technically minded but my DH has asked me to ask you all

andrew-b

There's a few here:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Occupancy_Switch/index.html

Was considering at one time to trigger an extractor fan in the bathroom..but plans changed.

Andy

she_grinch

Thankyou this is helpful, I am still interested to know if anyone has actually used them.

baldelectrician

I am thinking of using THESE as my kids seem unable to locate and utililse light switches. Even threats (putting tinky winky in the bin) have not resulted in any progress

Stompa

Light bulbs don't use much electricity (especially low-energy ones), so any savings would be minimal. I suspect it would probably take a lifetime to recoup the cost of installing such a system!

she_grinch

baldelectrician wrote: »

I am thinking of using THESE as my kids seem unable to locate and utililse light switches. Even threats (putting tinky winky in the bin) have not resulted in any progress

:eek:Believe me it doesn't get any better, mine are teenagers so tv's, hair straighteners, lights, electric fire, fans in fact anything with a darned plug is left on day and night, the usual response to pleas to turn them off is "Whatever, jeez it's only a .... stop moaning, get a life!":mad:

milkybars

baldelectrician wrote: »

I am thinking of using THESE as my kids seem unable to locate and utililse light switches. Even threats (putting tinky winky in the bin) have not resulted in any progress

You're kids don't believe this threat clearly. You need consistent parenting and to follow through your treats before they will get the message. Goodbye Tinkey Winky and maybe even Po!

I have seen this in a home before. It only became a problem in the living room - either the lights would come on during a low lighting moment while a film was on or... the lights would go off during reading a book or magasine. I guess in other rooms they could be quite useful.

baldelectrician

I am doing up the house at present (extension to give kids a room each)

Prior to this if I found removing any item that was plugges in and unattended (or just removing ariel lead / mains adaptor) for a day soon made them focus

Kiran

You can buy internal PIR (motion sensor) switches which can replace the existing switch with no need to alter the lighting. I have this setup in mind for the downstairs bathroom im installing as I think it is quite a nice touch. You can buy the switches of ebay, but better still if you have a trade depot anywhere near you I picked mine up for about £3.00 in the closing sale.

All the best

AlwaysSomething

If you go to Ebay.co.uk and search for 'pir light switch' you can see a number of options. I don't think they will pay for themselves in most applications in the home - can't really use them in a bedroom.
I have one in the airing cupboard! I can open the door with both hands full of clothes, and the light comes on automatically.

frogglet

We have a motion detector for the light on the patio and someone has to jump up every 5 minutes to get the light to come back on. I could see it useful in a porch as you enter the house, but I wouldn't want the light suddenly going off whilst coming downstairs.
One thing that you see in apartment blocks particularly in France are push switches for the lights that keep the light on for 15 minutes then it goes off. So that the hallways aren't constantly lit up, wasting electricity.
I haven't seen them over here, but someone may be able to help.