Do Sensor Lights Save Money?

Ever given much thought to the lighting in your home, and asked yourself the question “Do sensor lights save money?”

Your home’s lighting contributes 10% to your electricity usage, according to the Australian Government’s Energy Rating website. And as costs rise, the last thing you want to do is waste electricity.

For commercial properties, this rises to 18-40%! Finding ways to reduce the overall energy consumption of your lighting is a great way to keep electricity costs down. Motion-activated sensor lights are one way many people claim to save energy, but do they actually save you money as well?

The Benefits of Motion Sensor Lights

Australian homeowners can significantly benefit from installing motion sensor lights:

• Energy efficiency: Motion sensor lighting uses LED bulbs, reducing electricity costs and energy usage.
• Cost-effective: Saves money on electricity bills by reducing kilowatt-hour usage and avoiding wasteful energy consumption.
• Convenience: Automatically activates in high traffic areas like front doors and remains off in low traffic rooms, preventing unnecessary power usage.
• Smart investment: Reduces carbon footprint and phantom energy use, making them an environmentally-friendly choice.
• Easy installation: Simple to install, providing immediate benefits in energy savings and convenience.

Motion sensor lights are an ideal choice for Australians seeking a balance of cost-effectiveness, convenience, and reduced energy costs in their homes.

Motion Sensor Light Energy Usage

Most motion sensor lights use infrared, or heat energy to detect movement. Humans, and mammals in general, have a warmer temperature than their surroundings. So when they pass the motion sensor light’s field of view, it detects this and the motion sensor light switch turns on for a set time.

A photocell detects light and deactivates the motion-activated sensor light during the day when it is not needed. Installing a motion-activated sensor light means saying goodbye to those annoying light switches!

By only turning on when triggered by movement, the idea is that you’ll only be using the motion sensor’s light on an as-needed basis. No longer will you be forgetting to turn the light switches off as you leave a room, wasting energy and money.

The Importance of Standby Mode

In order to sense motion, there is a “phantom” energy always running in the background – standby mode. When it senses motion, the light switches from standby mode to active mode where the light is on.

This phantom energy is less intensive than the energy required in active mode. It is more energy, however than is required for a light that has been turned off at the light switch.

As such, the motion sensor switches and lights are best suited to rooms where lights are infrequently turned on and the lights switches are often forgotten to be turned off.

These rooms typically have low to medium traffic. Rooms with high traffic will mean the light is constantly being triggered to turn on, perhaps more so than it is off! These rooms and areas might include:

• Closets
• Pantries
• Garages
• Bathrooms
• Guest rooms
• Front door

If your family always remembers to automatically turn light switches off, motion sensors might actually cost you more to run than regular lights.

For those who frequently forget, however, a sensor light will definitely help in cutting down your electricity bill. Nothing beats the convenience of a motion-sensor front door light when you arrive home late at night though.

Energy Efficient Lighting Alternatives

If your household is good at remembering to turn off the light switch, perhaps consider installing energy-efficient lighting to reduce your electricity bill.

The type of light bulbs you are using can have a big impact on your energy saving potential.

LED lights and CFL lights are excellent alternatives to more old-school halogen and incandescent light bulbs. Not only are they more energy-efficient, but they are also better for the environment!

LED Sensor Lights

Why not combine energy efficiency with your sensor light and install an LED sensor light? You’ll be able to reap the benefits of a motion sensor light as well as the energy efficiency and longevity of an LED light bulb.

Solar Motion Sensor Lights

For the ultimate environmentally friendly and energy-efficient motion sensors, look no further than a solar-powered sensor light. These charge during the day so you can have motion sensor lighting at night and still save money on energy at all times of the day.

Metropolitan Electrical Contractors know about motion sensor light switches and lights of all kinds. For installation, services and repairs of your motion sensors, contact us today!

Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.