You can eliminate lights being left on accidentally by replacing many of the light switches with cheap motion detector light switches. They fit into the old box and are simply a switch with a small motion detector built in. You can use them as a manual switch or automatic. You can set how long the light stays on. A motion detector switch by the coffee maker turning on a low wattage under-the-cupboard light can eliminate having to turn on the big kitchen lights when you just want to refill your coffee.
If you upgrade your switches one per month, they often pay for themselves in that month, and are net savings after that.
By Dear Webby
http://www.webby.com/humor/
I found some (albeit only one brand) at Lowes. They should be appearing on the market even more since California has now included them in their "2005 California Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential buildings". Try your local home building store. (01/25/2006)
By Me@Here
What is the wattage of these switches when they are just waiting for motion? Is that significant during the month? (10/05/2007)
By JohnyJoker
The thought of this idea mad me laugh. I have 3 dogs and 12 cats, my house would look like a x-mas tree with twinkling lights. But it would make burglars think we were still home. (10/06/2007)
By Susie
The light switch worked amazing on my house. it saved me lots of electricity! (10/29/2007)
By Ashley
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