How to Reduce Energy Waste With Motion Sensors on Your Exterior Lights

Energy reduction is useful both as a way of reducing household costs and as a way of benefiting the environment. Turning off your interior lights when you're not in the room helps accomplish both these goals over time, but exterior lights are often needed as a security measure and not just as a way of seeing outside at night. Motion sensors help you enjoy the best of both worlds because they activate your outside lights when movement is detected near your house but they also turn off to save energy when no one is nearby.

Things You'll Need

Ladder

Compact fluorescent light bulb

Instructions

- 1
  Set the motion sensor sensitivity on your outside lights so only a person approaching the home activates them. Motion sensors have adjustable sensitivity. If the light is too sensitive, blowing leaves can set it off. A sensor that isn't sensitive enough fails to activate the lights when someone walks up to the home. Stand by the sensor and adjust the light setting as a helper walks near the house to ensure the sensor detects the movement. You likely will need a ladder to reach the sensor while adjusting it.
- 2
  Replace the light bulb in the light with a compact fluorescent light bulb. The bulb is more energy-efficient so even when the motion sensor does turn it on, you're using less power than you are with a traditional bulb.
- 3
  Turn off the motion sensors during the day so the lights aren't activating when the sun is out in response to movement. The lights provide no additional security value during the day and just waste energy if the sensors are left on.

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