What is a Vacancy Sensor?

By Alexis Alfrey, posted on September 29th, 2014

wallswitchvacancysensorthumbCustomers are always asking me how they can get their lights bulbs to last longer. Or, I often hear the statement “My kids never turn their vanity lights off in their bathroom, and the bulbs cost so much to replace. Can I get bulbs that last longer?” I also hear from customers that would like to do their part to reduce global warming and their carbon footprint.  An item that will answer all these concerns? A dimmer / vacancy sensor by Leviton.

Dimming an incandescent or halogen bulb will save energy and extend bulb life. Dimming your lights 15% saves 15% in electricity and your bulbs will last on average 4.2 years. If you dim your lights 20% you will save 18% in electricity and your bulbs will last on average 5.5 years. Yes, that is years.

And… I have not even talked about the new vacancy sensor function yet. The vacancy sensor is an important function that has been added to the dimmer by Leviton.  This dimmer not only saves energy, it allows you to control the light levels to create the right mood for any activity. Now with the added vacancy sensor; the lights turn off when the room is vacant. You can set the timer to turn off at 1, 3, 5, 15, or 30 minute intervals. For example: in a kids room the lights will automatically turn off when they leave the room.

When they renter the room, they will have to manually turn the lights back on. So at night when your kids are sleeping and turning over in bed or your pet runs through the room, the lights will not turn on. You will never again have to say “Did you turn the lights off?”

When you replace a standard switch with a dimmer / vacancy sensor you will save up to 50% in energy. Not having to replace the bulbs for years is where you save the most money. Plus by not having to replace your bulbs so often you will reduce your carbon footprint, as well as help save the energy it takes to manufacture, package, and transport new bulbs.

Did you know?

Installing one dimmer in every US home in place of a standard switch would save $230 million in electricity per year, and reduce CO2 emissions by 4.3 billion pounds per year –  the equivalent to taking 370,000 cars off the road.