orangeclouds115 ([info]orangeclouds115) wrote in [info]daily_granola,
@ 2005-06-01 06:52:00
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Install Motion Sensitive Outdoor Lights.
I saw a cool thing in Germany... escalators that only turn on when a person steps right near them. Just like normal escalators, they are already moving when you step on them, so your experience is the same. The first time I saw one I thought it was broken, but after I figured it out, it was really cool. I'd be curious to find out how much energy they save all over the whole country. Since most of us don't need to install escalators, here's a way we can take the same kind of idea for our homes.

Install Motion Sensitive Outdoor Lights

Motion sensitive lights make little sense indoors - imagine the light flipping on every time you roll over in your sleep - but outdoors and in the garage they are great! A friend has one at her house and it's not only great for energy efficiency - it's also nice because usually when I am going in and out of her door my hands are too full of barbacue equipment to bother finding a light switch anyway.

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[info]blueheron
2005-06-01 01:20 pm UTC (link)
Actually, I would argue that motion sensitive indoor lights do make sense for certain areas. My front stairs for example, as well as my bathroom, back stairs and laundry room could all benifit from motion sensitive lights. Not only am I only in those spaces for short periods of time, but I usually have my hands full.

Most hardware stores around here sell montion sensitive light switches with 3 settings: on, off, or motion. When they are in "motion" and you walk within range of their sensor, the light goes on.

Now, couple those with energy efficient light bulbs, and you really have something.

On the note of outdoor motion sensors: Make sure you take the time to adjust them properly! Some of my neighbours haven't and when someone is walking on the street, or a car passes, their lights go on, so the lights are going on and off all night.

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[info]riverheart
2005-06-01 01:50 pm UTC (link)
These are better if you're in an urban or suburban environment than out in the country. If you're out in the country, it will be set off all the time by animals. Been there, done that, went back to a light switch.

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[info]songtoisis
2005-06-01 02:04 pm UTC (link)
Hallways and stairwells are excellent spots for motion-sensitive lights...since they are spaces we pass through during the day without stopping. Not sure how much of a savings they provide, but I find a lot of hotels in Europe and Hawaii have them set up.

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[info]dandylionkats
2005-06-01 11:24 pm UTC (link)
I recently stayed in a hotel and saw another neat way to minimize energy costs. All electricity only worked once the hotel key card was set in a little "box" (*ahem* the technical term I'm sure) in the room. IE- lights couldn't be left on if someone left the room because they'd have to take their keycard with them in order to get back in. Anyone else seen things like that? I thought it rather smart. :)

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[info]spaced00d
2005-06-02 12:50 am UTC (link)
And it opens the door to bad puns.

One time in summer, I was at an outdoor party. Every now and then the sensor light timed out and somebody had to wave at it to turn it back on. When five people waved at the light at the same time, somebody commented "Many hands make light work". :)

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