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)!
The Celtic Connection Realty - Queen Creek, AZ
EXPERIENCE & INTEGRITY - WE TAKE THE HIGH ROAD
Sine & Monaghan Realtors, Real Living - Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Providing the very best of service to Sellers and
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.
May 23, 2010 04:36 AM
Murney Associates - Springfield, MO
Keller Williams Metropolitan - Long Valley, NJ
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH
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).
May 23, 2010 04:41 AM
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality
Great solution. You're right--I bet every family has at least one spot for this.
May 23, 2010 04:44 AM
Diamond Ridge Realty - Corona, CA
Eastvale - 951-847-4883
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. :-)
May 23, 2010 04:45 AM
Midwest Properties of MI - Grand Rapids - Jenison, MI
Realtor-Greater Grand Rapids, MI area communities
This would be perfect for our Mudroom, I'm constantly turning the light off there! Thanks for the info!
May 23, 2010 05:09 AM
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland
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.
May 23, 2010 09:57 AM
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor
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"!!!!
May 24, 2010 09:32 AM
Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN
Real Estate For Trail Riders
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!
May 24, 2010 10:14 AM
Keller Williams Premier Partners - Vancouver, WA
What a clever solution to the problem. There's a couple of rooms that might work in for our home...
May 24, 2010 07:29 PM
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience
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!
May 25, 2010 01:23 AM
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor
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.
May 25, 2010 07:20 PM
Eichler Properties - Granbury, TX
HOLLY, A VERY GOOD TIP OF THE DAY AND WE ALL COULD STAND TO SAVE A LITTLE AT THIS TIME.
May 28, 2010 03:40 PM
Realty Ink Marketing - International, IT
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.
Jul 31, 2010 06:28 PM
Rainmaker
652,216
652,216
Holly Weatherwax
A Great Real Estate Experience
Comments(17)