![]() ![]() Adjust the sensitivity as needed, button it all up, and call it done. ![]() Connect the hot wire from the house to the motion detector black, the red wire to the hot wire (black in the US) of the light, and tie the neutral wires together.Run the wires into the fixture and screw the motion detector into your light fixture.Remove the insert where you want to install the motion detector.Turn off power to your light and take the cover off.Pick up an outdoor motion detection kit online (make sure your existing light or box has a knockout to screw it into, otherwise pick up one of the screw in units linked above and the installation is super easy).How to Add a Motion Sensor to an Existing Outdoor Light You can also pick up a screw in motion sensor switch that will fit many light fixtures. Not Interested in Doing Your Own Wiring and Electricity? With an incandescent flood light, that could lower your yearly electricity cost from $35 to a little over $2 assuming a $0.12/kWh cost. Instead of burning 8 hours a day, a motion sensor that is only active in low light conditions may only have your lights on for 30 minutes. Any time you make a would-be criminal think about getting caught before committing the crime, there’s an opportunity to avoid it altogether.Īnother benefit is that when you add motion sensor to light, you can save on your electricity costs. Immediately, you’re worried about if you’ve been spotted by someone inside until you find the source of the light (if it has an obvious outdoor light motion sensor adapter on it). Imagine sneaking around a house when a light snaps on. While outdoor landscape lighting looks good, it’s a poor way to alert neighbors and your household to danger.Īnd, I would think it makes burglars uncomfortable too. If, on the other hand, a light comes on suddenly and there’s a creep in a hoody there, that is much more likely to get your attention. When lights are constantly on, you and your neighbors get used to them, like somebody living in LA thinks brown air is normal. Why not just use standard flood lights? We already mentioned the environment and costs, but there is a security impact too. Why Bother to Add Motion Sensor to Light? Just be aware of the common mistakes when installing soffit lighting so that you can avoid making your house and landscape look weird at night! If you have the extra time, you can check out our post on how to install an automatic porch light. You can even install LED soffit lights with a motion detection sensor. In this post, we’ll share how to add a motion sensor to outdoor light. If you already have lights, this guide to retrofit a motion light is just for you. Retrofit your existing lights (that’s our focus today).Buy a light with a built-in motion sensor (use our best motion sensor lights page or check out the benefits of motion detector lights here).But, you don’t have to compromise your safety by leaving the lights off all the time. Listen, I’m sensitive to light pollution (who doesn’t like seeing stars at night) and wasting electricity too. ![]() įor me, I’m going to stack any weight onto the “don’t break in” side of that decision that I can, especially if it’s cost effective! Many people don’t leave their outdoor lights on, defeating their benefits as a burglar deterrent. When analyzing the most effective burglary deterrents, we recently referenced a research paper based on a survey of convicted burglars in which 24% said outdoor lighting was part of their risk assessment before deciding to break into a house. ![]() Security up and electricity costs down! That about sums up this fix. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |