Is Photocell Outdoor Lighting Really an Energy Saver ?
Everyone wants to save energy these days not only because of the recent oil price spikes but also because everyone is more environmentally conscious and want to do something green on their own. Using a photocell light switch or a dusk to dawn lighting fixture is one way of doing that. The lights will come on at dusk when the sun is starting to set and will remain on till the first rays of dawn come pouring in without any intervention on your part.
Most of the
photocell light control devices also incorporate a timer that allows the light to come on at dusk but then you have the option of having the light go off before dawn as opposed to at dawn.
You can possibly save quite a bit off your energy bill if you are more concerned about having your outdoor lights on if you happen to come home very late at night. Also, security concerns are more prominent during the hours from 10pm to 4am rather than all the way into the late morning hours when traffic has already started even though it may still be dark outside. This is not to say that your house may not be burgled in the late morning hours but statistically speaking this would be a more unlikely scenario.
Other ways that
photocell lights can cut down on your energy use is though incorporating motion activated lighting along with hi/low sensors. Hi/low floodlight sensors will turn on your exterior floodlights at one fifth their regular operating wattage from dusk to dawn and will also brighten to their regular operating wattage when the sensor picks up any movement. So you get the benefit of all night ambient lighting because for some households, continuous lighting throughout the night does provide a credible deterrent.
Then if an intruder still decides to approach the house the flood lights will brighten to full brilliance which can be quite a surprise for the unsuspecting burglar. At the same time energy is being saved for more than 90% of the operational time during the night.
Posted by John Wells
on 12:59 am. Filed under Light Fixtures, Photo Gallery Category.
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You can possibly save quite a bit off your energy bill if you are more concerned about having your outdoor lights on if you happen to come home very late at night. Also, security concerns are more prominent during the hours from 10pm to 4am rather than all the way into the late morning hours when traffic has already started even though it may still be dark outside. This is not to say that your house may not be burgled in the late morning hours but statistically speaking this would be a more unlikely scenario.
