Illuminated Light Switch Options
There are many types of illuminated light switches made by many manufacturers. We show two types of toggle switches and a rocker light up switch here.
Buy smart light switches for convenience, safety and to save money. Some light up for easy switching at night, some switch on and off automatically, some are timed and others dim. In most situations you can easily install smart light switches yourself.
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It sounds like a joke: How do you find a light switch in the dark? Illuminate it, of course. These great little inventions use a tiny bit of electricity from the circuit they’re on to light a small LED or neon bulb. A light up switch installs as easily as regular switches, but be aware that these switches work fine with some CFLs but not so great with others.
For a broad selection of illuminated toggle and rocker switches, visit kyledesigns.com. You’ll find clear, white and red toggles and black, white, ivory and other colors of rocker switches. Prices range from $7 to $40 through our affiliation with amazon.com. The Web site also carries a huge and reasonably priced selection of low-voltage lighting, switchplates and other items.
There are many types of illuminated light switches made by many manufacturers. We show two types of toggle switches and a rocker light up switch here.
Residential occupancy and vacancy sensors have come of age. Most residential sensors use passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect heat and motion and turn lights on and off accordingly. They can cut lighting costs by 50 percent in rooms where lights are frequently left on when no one is in them. Wall-mount sensors install just like a light switch and are available as switches or dimmers. Most require a neutral wire, but there are a few models that don’t. The smartest sensors are designed to screen out background interference and detect small movements and natural light. They also work with LED, CFL, incandescent, halogen and other bulb and load types.
An occupancy sensor automatically turns lights ON and OFF. Great for areas where lights are accidentally left on a lot, like in a kid’s room, or where your hands are full, like in a laundry area. A vacancy sensor has a manual ON and automatic OFF (you can preset different times). Good for bedrooms, so the light doesn’t automatically turn on if a spouse enters while you’re sleeping, or in the hallway, so your pet doesn’t trigger the light.
Lutron’s Maestro occupancy/vacancy sensor switch functions in both modes depending how it’s programmed. It’s available in two models—one for small rooms (MS-OPS2; about $20) and one for larger rooms (MS-OPS5; about $40). It includes a push button manual control switch and is available as a dimming sensor as well. It does not require a neutral wire. Learn more at lutron.com. They are available through our affiliation with amazon.com.
Leviton’s Universal Dimming Sensor (IPSD6-1LZ) is an occupancy sensor and dimmer in one unit. It has a 180-degree field of view for up to 900 sq. ft. of coverage and includes manual presets for delayed-off time settings (about $40 through our affiliation with amazon.com). Compatible with dimmable LED, CFL and incandescent bulbs. It does not require a neutral. Visit leviton.com.
Timers for bath fans are important because excess humidity can cause everything from window condensation and mildew to moisture and rot inside walls. Timers connected to exhaust fans must be rated to run electric motors, which makes them more expensive than those running incandescent lamps. Some new wall switch timers have dual controls for turning off both lights and fans after a preset time. For the ultimate in smart bath fan timers, buy a humidity-sensing fan designed to automatically turn on and off as moisture levels at the ceiling rise and fall.
Automated outdoor lighting is convenient, but the smartest timers are astronomic versions that turn lights off and on from a memory of 365 days of sunrise and sunset times based on your home’s location. This feature is particularly useful if you live in a northern climate which has a wide range of daylight hours from summer to winter. Simply find the longitude and latitude of your home at http://www.worldatlas.com and enter it into the timer. The timer automatically calculates the sundown “turn on” time. Then choose either a set run-time or let the timer turn the lights off at sunup. Such timers include:
Those with randomized settings can vary on and off times, which adds a heightened level of security by fooling burglars into thinking someone is home when you’re away. The newest (and most expensive) astronomic timer switches are compatible with CFL and LED bulbs in addition to incandescent and halogen bulbs. Non-compatible timers can cause CFLs to flicker and shorten their life span.
There are many types of outside timers, but the best ones are programmed to turn lights on according to the time of day and nightfall.
Intermatic’s EI600 Series In-Wall timers (about $40 through our affiliation with amazon.com). These timers do not require a neutral wire. This timer series is highly recommended by lighting pros, and users report they are easy to install and program. Learn more at intermatic.com.
Leviton’s Vizia VPT24-1PZ indoor/outdoor programmable timer (about $40 through our affiliation with amazon.com). This timer comes with three different color faceplates and a five-year warranty. It requires a neutral wire. Learn more at leviton.com.
You can save up to $55 a year by replacing an incandescent bulb with a dimmable LED and using it regularly at low levels. Beyond energy savings, dimmers add comfort and convenience. However, dimming technology has had a hard time keeping pace with advances in CFL and LED bulbs. Problems include:
The good news is that dimmer switch technology is improving. The newest switches work well and can effectively dim mixed light sources on the same circuit. The bad news is these switches are pricey and they require pricey dimmable LED and CFL bulbs (they also work fine with incandescent and halogen bulbs). A list of compatible bulbs can be found on manufacturer Web sites. Some require a neutral and some do not, so check the packaging carefully.
Leviton’s SureSlide Universal Dimmer 6674 (about $25 through our affiliation with amazon.com) This dimmer has an on/off preset function that remembers your preferred setting and is compatible with Decora wiring devices and wall-plates. It does require a neutral. Learn more at leviton.com.
Lutron’s C-L Dimmer Collection includes the Skylark Contour (about $26) and Maestro (about $35; shown), among other models. These dimmers include adjustable dials that accommodate a broad range of dimmable bulbs. Available through our affiliation with amazon.com. Visit lutron.com for a list of compatible bulbs.
Lutron’s Credenza C-L Lamp dimmer (about $15 through our affiliation with amazon.com) plugs into any outlet to dim table and floor lamps with incandescent and halogen as well as dimmable CFL and LED bulbs. The regular Credenza lamp dimmer (about $15) lets you use a standard halogen or incandescent lightbulb instead of a more expensive three-way bulb and also plugs into standard outlets. Learn more at lutron.com.
Many of the new, sophisticated smart switches require a neutral wire to run the circuitry inside the switch—particularly those compatible with LED and CFL bulbs. Before you buy a new switch, check the packaging. Most will specifically tell you if a neutral is required (Photo).
To see if you have a neutral wire in your switch box: