Let there be light! No-one wants to spend their first night in their new house in pitch dark. Motion sensors are popular for residential and commercial applications and while outdoor lights have long used motion detection, indoor motion sensor lights are gaining popularity in new homes. Let’s take indoor motion sensor light products, the benefits of automated lighting, how they work and whether they’re the best option for your new home.
Importance of Indoor Motion Sensor Lights in Modern Homes
Motion sensor lights offer a range of benefits over their traditional counterparts. The key advantages come from the fact they turn on and off based on motion detection. We’ve all fumbled around in the dark looking for a light switch (and probably kicked a toe or two in the process). With motion sensors, your lighting will be activated automatically. This is not only more convenient but greatly improves the safety conditions of your household.
Advantages of Indoor Motion Sensor Lights
Energy Efficiency
Motion sensors are more energy efficient than other lighting, using the latest technology to cut down on power usage. Most modern lights use LED bulbs which are by far the most efficient available on the market. The fact they automatically turn off also greatly cuts down on the chance of them being left on by accident.
Automatic Activation and Deactivation
Lights activate and deactivate automatically meaning you can see what you’re doing and no longer need to worry about whether you left the lights on. Instant illumination without having to search for the light switch. Very handy for when your hands are full or just for preventing bumped knees in the dark.
Once you leave a room, the light will automatically turn off after a designated time. No more kids leaving the lights on (money doesn’t grow on trees after all).
Increased Safety
Whether you’re walking from your car to the garage door, or need the loo late at night, walking around in the dark can be dangerous. We’ve all bumped into furniture or accidentally stood on a pet while wandering around in the dark, but there’s also the risk of serious injury. However, with traditional lights, there’s the ironic situation that you need to find the light switch to see what you’re doing without bumping into things.
Automated lights allow you to see what you’re doing without the hassle of finding the switch, making your trip safer.
Extra Security
Everyone wants their home to be a safe place for themselves and their loved ones. A big part of achieving this is deterring any unwanted visitors. A sudden burst of light is often all it takes to frighten someone off.
Convenience
The hands-free operation afforded by motion sensors is simply more convenient than traditional lighting. Whether you’ve got your arms full of groceries, or one of the kids has stormed into the house ahead of you, you can rely on your motion sensor lighting to illuminate the area for you.
Types of Indoor Motion Sensor Lights
Ceiling-Mounted Lights
Ceiling-mounted lights provide a more thorough coverage of light and are ideal for entire rooms.
Ideal for Hallways and Common Spaces
Wall-Mounted Lights
Wall-mounted lights are great for illuminating a specific area, for example near doors, in workspaces, and hallways. They’re a helpful addition even in areas with ceiling lights as they can add extra lighting when needed.
Plug-In and Portable Options
Plug-In and portable sensor lights are great for you and require some flexibility. An excellent idea for when you’re still sorting out placements in your home, or just as a portable option for when needed.
Where can you install indoor motion sensor lights?
Entrances and Hallways
Any entrance to your home, whether it is the front door, the glass sliding doors that lead to your veranda, or the door to your laundry is an ideal place for a motion sensor light. They’ll help you find the right key, stop you from tripping over shoes and just make life easier.
Hallways have numerous entry points and therefore benefit from lighting that doesn’t require you to travel to a certain place to turn it on.
Staircases and Elevated Areas
Though an essential feature in any multi-storey home (as well as single-level designs), stairs can potentially be a safety hazard, especially if you can’t see what you’re doing. Lighting helps with both aiding in stair navigation and alerting guests (or sleep residents) of elevated surfaces.
Dark Corners and Storage Spaces
Even in less-frequented areas, motion sensor lighting can be a valuable feature. The automated light can help you find things in storage spaces and dark corners as well as help prevent accidents.
Motion Sensors can be Integrated with Smart Home Systems
Another pro of motion sensor lights is they can be connected to smart home networks. This comes with the following features:
- Compatibility with Smart Hubs
- Central user-friendly control
- Integration with Other Smart Devices
- Adjusting Sensitivity and Timing
- Customization Settings for Different Areas
- Customization for Time of Day and Night etc.
Types of Indoor Motion Sensors
PIR Motion Sensor: PIR stands for Passive Infrared Radiation. These sensors don’t emit any energy and instead detect the radiation that naturally comes from living things. PIR is great for detecting motion from people and animals and is ideal for specific, smaller areas. It is the most common motion sensor for lighting.
Ultrasonic Sensors: Ultrasonic sensors detect through emitting soundwaves (at a frequency higher than we can hear) which bounce off objects to determine where motion is taking place. Ultrasonic sensor excels at covering a large area.
An alternative to indoor motion sensors is occupancy sensors. These don’t require movement to activate, only for someone to be present in the room.
Indoor motion sensor Frequently Asked Questions and Considerations
Is it possible to install motion sensor lights yourself?
If the lights require wiring, it’s best to leave the installation to a licensed, certified professional. Any electrical product should be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
What should I consider when planning construction?
Light placement is essential to getting the best performance out of any light. Poor light placement will leave part of your room unlit, and it will drive you crazy over time. Getting lighting placement right will give your home the illumination you need.
Are motion sensor lights more expensive than traditional lighting?
Provided you are comparing similar types of light (size, shape, etc), motion sensor lights will be more expensive initially. Over time, however, they could cut down your overall energy costs.
Are indoor motion sensor lights right for your new home build?
Motion sensor lights are a convenient addition to any modern home. Beyond saving time, they reduce safety risks and cut down on energy requirements. Incorporating motion sensor technology during the planning stage of your home build ensures the best placement for optimal performance.
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