Light-sensing Switches

I have a lot of lights that stay on all day in lobbies and other common areas. I know this isn't an easy fix, but I was wondering if any of you use motion or light sensor switches for interior common lighting.

It would be nice to reduce the bill.

--76.120.xx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 3:37 PM
Message:

Jeff,I belong to the Irish American Community Center and I see they have looks like they have a motion sensor on the kitchen lights,seems to work good the light kicks on when someone enters and shuts off when you're gone.Should work in your case,couldn't be too expensive to install or they wouldn't have done it.charlie.......................................................... --174.199.xx.xx

Light-sensing Switches (by Jeff [CO]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 3:40 PM
Message:

CJO'H, thanks. Lots of offices have them now. You walk into your office and the light turns on. They shut off in a few minutes after you leave, or if they don't sense any movement.

Do you think those would work in lobbies? --76.120.xx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 3:56 PM
Message:

Due to the liability of a tenant tripping because the light fails to turn on soon enough, I put LED bulbs in my common areas that are "dark" most of the time and pay the few extra bucks a month on the utility bill. It's a lot cheaper than a $100,000 law suit!

--47.156.xx.xx

Light-sensing Switches (by Landlord ofthe Flies [TX]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 4:14 PM
Message:

I agree with Robert, shutting off the lights, leaving a dark litigious hallway is not the answer to save money.

Maybe install all the lights on a motion detector, but then install another circuit of lights that stay on from dusk to dawn, maybe 1 or 2 in each area.

Swapping all to LED helps. --108.69.xxx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by Jeff [CO]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 4:19 PM
Message:

Thanks for your answers. I agree. I should have clarified that I meant areas in which the sun lights 'em up - but the lights are still on.

Is many of these have globes around the bulbs, so a screw-in device wouldn't help.

I guess a sensor would have to be installed on the walls near the light fixtures. --76.120.xx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by David [NC]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 4:21 PM
Message:

You could try these switches for $18

Lutron Maestro 2-amp Single Pole White Motion Indoor Occupancy/Vacancy Sensor --65.188.xxx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by Ann [MN]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 4:26 PM
Message:

There are dusk to dawn led light bulbs made by Phillips and sold at Home Depot that are terrific. About $9 each. I have used them for inside lights in a fourplex, and love them. No more setting the timer, no more dark hallways on cloudy days. --75.168.xxx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by Jeff [CO]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 4:29 PM
Message:

Thanks - I will check them out. --76.120.xx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 4:42 PM
Message:

Ann, I spring for the yearly dues at Sam's club,but I think you make it back with some of their prices,especially the Led bulbs,and burned barbecue chicken,well not really burned.charlie.............................................................. --174.199.xx.xx

Light-sensing Switches (by allin [VA]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 5:17 PM
Message:

For the cost to get led bulbs it is probably the best bang for your buck. The added cost of the sensor is more than would be saved by turning off an led light bulb. --174.226.xx.xx

Light-sensing Switches (by Jeff [CO]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 5:18 PM
Message:

Good point, allin. I am phasing out the CFLs and installing LEDs as they burn out. --76.120.xx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 5:37 PM
Message:

Hospital bathrooms have those kinds of light switches to try and protect folks from contracting something like C. Difficile from the switches. --73.33.xxx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by Busy, busy, busy [WI]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 5:52 PM
Message:

Ann, how long have those lasted? I've been annoyed when I put in a LED that was supposed to last ten years, then only makes it two. --172.58.xxx.xx

Light-sensing Switches (by TenantWhisperer [MA]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 9:34 PM
Message:

I think I heard that the "sensing" portion of the light has to always be on (and drawing electricity) even if the light is not. So, you are not saving as much electricity as you thought.

In addition, you have to replace these sensors fail after a while. Really, will you notice and replace them the day they fail? Obviously not. So you are automatically accepting some level of risk just by putting in these sensing lights

So, for me, the most certain solution is to install 40 or 60 watt LEDs and leave them on all the time. --73.16.xxx.x

Light-sensing Switches (by Robert,Ontario,Can [ON]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 9:43 PM
Message:

There bayonet type bulbs which are rated 1.2 watts per bulb where two bulbs per fixture will supply enough light. One apartment building then entire hallways, stairways was 19.2 watts where the fixtures can be connected to outside light senor if there windows in the hallway. If the hallway is completely enclosed then will need end lights on all the time where motion sensors are used on other fixtures. --74.220.xxx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by Livethedream [AZ]) Posted on: Dec 13, 2017 11:22 PM
Message:

We have been slowly switching to all LED's. I'm down to one stadium lamp at the apts, the others are all LED. In the porch and stair lights we use the LED bug lights. They don't seem to work as well as the old style at repelling bugs.

At the office we run LED's 24/7 on all exterior lights. The heat here keeps burning up the $15 photo eyes, so we just leave them on. I use the 1600 lumen flood lights. They are BRIGHT! And use about 1/20th the electricity of the old sodium lights.

It does make a difference on the bills. You will make the cost back in a couple of months.

My home is about half now, all our ceiling lights that are on a lot are LED. They are way cooler - we probably save $40 a month in the summer on AC by not having to cool the extra bulb heat.

So far only had one fail. Took it back to Walmart and got a new one. (Under 90 days.) --47.216.xx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by Ann [MN]) Posted on: Dec 14, 2017 7:09 AM
Message:

Busy, busy, busy -- I have had the bulbs for about 14 months. So far, so good.... --75.168.xxx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by Busy [WI]) Posted on: Dec 14, 2017 9:51 AM
Message:

Thanks Ann. I will give one a try. --172.58.xxx.xx

Light-sensing Switches (by Landlord ofthe Flies [TX]) Posted on: Dec 14, 2017 11:28 AM
Message:

Definitely change to LED bulbs, but don't look for a solution at the light fixture level, find a solution at the switch. Find a light switch that senses dusk/dawn and motion. --108.69.xxx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by Jeff [CO]) Posted on: Dec 14, 2017 12:37 PM
Message:

Thanks, Landlord ofthe Flies. Will do. --76.120.xx.xxx

Light-sensing Switches (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Dec 15, 2017 7:42 AM
Message:

I have 2 places I use a outdoor photo sensor to activate the hallway and laundry lights, and I wired one fixture to the exit lights that solves 2 purpose - when the exit light is dead I know the power is still good and always a light on towards the exit that is not the floodlight aimed at steps. --76.188.xxx.xx

Light-sensing Switches (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Dec 16, 2017 2:04 PM
Message:

I put motion detectors in my hallways thinking I would save a ton of money. Any money I saved was spent in replacing extra light bulbs due to them coming on and off so much. --24.101.xxx.xxx

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Light-sensing Switches

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