Do Sensor Lights Save Money?

Ever baulked at your newest electricity bill, suddenly thought about your outdoor lighting system and asked yourself “Do sensor lights save money?”

Your home’s lighting contributes up to 10% to your electricity usage. And as costs rise, the last thing you want to do is waste electricity. 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?

How Do Motion Sensor Lights Work?

Motion sensor lights are a great lighting solution for use inside and outside the home. As their name suggests, they automatically turn on when they sense movement, such as warm bodies or moving objects, within a certain area.

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 heat energy and the motion sensor light switch turns on for a certain period of time.

Key to their functionality is the use of sensor technology. Motion-activated lights will either use a microwave sensor or have passive infrared (PIR) sensors that detect movement. It makes either option ideal for high-traffic areas both indoors and out, as well as low-traffic rooms like utility closets.

The Main Benefits of Motion Sensor Lights

Homeowners can benefit significantly from installing motion-activated lights. They provide:

• Energy efficiency: Motion sensor lighting uses LED bulbs that reduce energy usage and lower electricity costs.
• Cost-effectiveness: They save money on electricity bills by reducing kilowatt-hour usage and avoiding wasteful energy consumption in periods of sufficient natural light.
• Convenience: Motion-activated lights automatically turn on in high-traffic areas like front doors and remain off in low to medium-traffic rooms, preventing unnecessary power usage.
• Smart investment choice: 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

As we know, motion sensor lights use microwave or PIR sensors to detect movement. 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

For the sensors to effectively detect movement, your motion sensor lights use “standby mode” energy that is always running in the background. When they sense motion, the light switches from standby mode to active mode which activates the light.

Standby mode uses less energy than active mode. However, it still consumes more than a light turned off at the switch. Therefore it makes motion sensor switches and lights better suited to rooms where lights are rarely used and often left on by mistake.

So Will Motion Sensors Work For My Household Budget?

If your household is pretty good with automatically turning light switches off, motion sensors might actually cost you more to run than regular lights.

But for those who constantly accidentally leave lights on, 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.