Outdoor Lights: The Motion Sensor Hack
Impact
Medium
Difficulty
Easy
Speed
Instant
Leaving your floodlights on all night 'for security' is an expensive and ineffective habit. Most intruders prefer a constant light they specify can trust; what they don't like is a sudden, blinding light that alerts the neighbors.
Switching your outdoor lights to motion-sensor units (or adding a screw-in motion adapter) ensures that the lights are 100% off until someone—or something—moves in their range. This can reduce your outdoor lighting costs by 95% while actually increasing your home's security. It also reduces light pollution, which is better for the local wildlife and your own sleep quality.
Modern sensors are highly adjustable; you can set the sensitivity so the neighbor's cat doesn't set it off, but an approaching human does. It's a smart, reactive way to manage your home's exterior. Plus, you'll never have to remember to 'turn off the porch light' again. Let the sensors do the thinking while you do the saving!