Finding the Perfect Lighting Control

Answer 1

Selecting the perfect lighting control can be challenging. After all, there are lots of different options that are available to you. While many people find that a simple wall mounted switch is more than sufficient, that option may not be the best when you consider how you will actually make use of your particular lighting. Let's look at a few of the basic options, and compare where each one will work best.

Occupancy Sensing

Many commercial buildings use an occupancy sensing lighting control for rooms which will not be under constant use, such as bathrooms. There are three types of occupancy sensors available today: infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and combination units featuring both. Infrared sensors monitor changes in the temperature of the room. When a person walks in, their body heat triggers the sensor. Ultrasonic sensors use high frequency sound to detect movement, in the same way a bat does. Combination units, while the most expensive of these options, are also the most useful.

You need to be careful with these kinds of lighting control types, because they can shorten the life of the lights through frequent switching. However, since the lights will most likely not be on as often, these controls can lengthen the life of the light fixture.

Schedule switches

If you want to have your lights work very simply, all you have to do is decide when they will be necessary, and then have them turn on for when you need them and off when you don't. Using either a basic time clock or a computerized control mechanism, time scheduled light activation can save you a small fortune over time if you are prone to accidentally leaving your lights on. Considering that lighting may be almost ten percent of your total electric bill, you might be throwing away the cost of a new control every year, just through being forgetful.

Dimmer

Some applications such as reading require an abundance of light. However, many activities such as using a computer, having a romantic dinner or meeting with clients and partners do not require nearly as much light. For these kinds of situations, either a wall mounted or remote control mounted dimmer knob can save you a great deal of energy in situations where you simply do not need as much light. Of course, these sorts of switches tend to be ineffective with most forms of compact fluorescent lights.