Everyone has that one light that no one ever remembers to switch off. Depending on where it is, it can become a bone of contention or a huge energy waster as it burns brightly long after the person using it has left the room.
Our problem light was our mud-room overhead. Being our catch-all place (think backpacks, water bottles, shoes, carry-out menus, etc.) and the last stop before heading in to the garage, it was not unusual for a family member to switch on the light, find what they needed and pull the door shut behind them---AND LEAVE ON THE LIGHT. I must have switched it off 20 times a day. Ironically, even those who complained about it being left on were often the ones to leave it on themselves (except, of course, me).
Last weekend this heavily used switch started to go bad. It would not turn on consistently. So Monday evening, my husband and I ran over to the local Home Depot to pick up a couple of things we needed
and to get a replacement switch. While there, we found a motion sensor light switch that would work perfectly. For $20 dollars, we could fix this problem!
We were a little concerned that our dog would switch it on constantly, but she is little and apparently it does not pick up her movements.
My husband, a handy guy, was able to install it in 10 minutes and 8 years of mud-room-light-contention vanished instantly!
If you have a light that the family can't seem to turn off, you might consider whether or not this could solve the problem...it solved ours (and I am looking forward to the energy savings, too)!
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Amazing what technology can accomplish. Solved a problem.
Those babies are great. We use them in the basement and garage where lights have often been left burning for hours, or days, before anyone realizes it.
What an easy and quick fix for an aggravating problem. Thanks!
That is a great idea, I have a spot for mine!
Holly, That is a great little fix for a big energy waste problem, I would not be a bit surprised if more gadgets like this hit the market in the next few years (think green).
Great solution. You're right--I bet every family has at least one spot for this.
The only problem I've found for these is that they aren't too helpful in certain rooms such as the bathroom. If you're in the room and not moving around too much the light will turn off on you. And constantly waving your arms to get it to turn back on isn't what most of us want to do.
Excellent idea but think about the location. You've found a perfect place to use it. :-)
This would be perfect for our Mudroom, I'm constantly turning the light off there! Thanks for the info!
You learn something every day- I have seen many in homes I am showing and had no idea what it is. Thanks for the education.
For $20.00 how could you NOT install this family saver!
I have a switch or two that I'm going to consider installing this little gadget on to.
Because just like you, everyone always leaves it on....."except me, of course"!!!!
Hi, Holly. This is EXACTLY what I need!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My husband leaves lights on and, when I protest, he says, "I'm going right back in there." Many times he doesn't and I snap, Why can't you just turn it OFF when you leave and back ON when you return? How hard is it to flip that little switch??" (thinking, "if you could fly an Air Force fighter 500 miles an hour, 500 feet about the ground, WHY can't you TURN OFF THIS LIGHT!?!?!"
Home Depot, here I come!
Here is a site with all kinds of nifty gadgets to help automate the household
What a clever solution to the problem. There's a couple of rooms that might work in for our home...
Thanks to everyone for your comments...sounds like this IS a universal problem!
The only issue I have noticed is that, as mentioned by Michael O'Connor, too much inactivity and it shuts off on you. I was looking for something in my purse the other day and it shut off...no biggie, I just waved and it came back on.
It would be a little disconcerting in the bathroom!
Holly, I love this idea; unfortunately, I think I would have to install this switch in every room we have. Our family is terrible at leaving all the lights on in the house and I am the only one who seems to be bothered by it.
HOLLY, A VERY GOOD TIP OF THE DAY AND WE ALL COULD STAND TO SAVE A LITTLE AT THIS TIME.
Hi Holly, I see these gadgets in the doctors and dentists bathrooms now a days. I think how perfect, you walk in it turns on and you walk out and turns off. No need for contamination or energy usage. I have been to a Maui doctor office and a dentist office in california, so I think they idea is getting out there. Thank you for the information.