|
|
 |
|
No items in cart
|
|
|
|
|
|
Solution of the Week
Save a Bundle on Your Electric Bill This Summer
With gasoline prices going through the roof, you may be looking at other ways to make cutbacks. Fortunately, one of the easiest places to make those cuts is in your electric bill, as you'll see below...
| | | 1. Use Dimmers on Lamps and Light Fixtures | |
It's one of the founding principles of electricity: the brighter the light, the more electricity you need to illuminate it. It works the same way in reverse. By dimming those harsh, bright lights, you'll not only have a more relaxing home, you'll also have a more energy-efficient home. And since all the dimmers described here are X10/PLC compatible, you'll also have the benefit of being able to dim them remotely via a number of methods, including over the Internet or with a phone call.
In-Wall Dimmers
- The SwitchLinc Plus Dimmer is one of our best sellers. It works on most lighting circuits and fully supports scene lighting.
- The ToggleLinc Plus Dimmer has nearly all the same features as the SwitchLinc Plus Dimmer, but is designed for those who prefer classic, toggle-style switches.
- The SwitchLinc RX Plus Dimmer offers nearly all the same features as the SwitchLinc Plus Dimmer, but uses a more convenient 2-wire installation that works with virtually every lighting circuit in North America.
- The KeypadLinc 6 w/ Dimmer is ideal if you want to control a built-in light fixture as well as several other X10-controlled lights throughout the house ... from one switch location.
- The KeypadLinc 8 w/ Dimmer offers all the same features as the KeypadLinc 6 w/ Dimmer, but with two extra buttons. Makes a great addition to the KeypadLinc 6 w/Dimmer in double-gang switch locations.
Plug-In Dimmers
- The LampLinc Essential Plug-In Lamp Dimmer is great if you only want affordable, basic dimming of a single lamp and you don't commonly use the outlet it's plugged into for other devices.
- The LampLinc Plus Plug-In Lamp Dimmer is the best choice if you want to include your into your whole-house lighting scenes, or if you want a feed-through outlet that allows you to plug in other devices. It also comes in a 3-pin version for grounded outlets.
| | | 2. Install Countdown Timers | |
Another way to make sure you don't leave lights on all night long is to equip them with countdown timers. The most common applications for countdown timers include bathrooms, laundry rooms, walk-in closets and more.  The latest addition in the world of count down timers is the new SwitchLinc 2-Way Relay Timer Switch with BoosterLinc, the world's first switch to combine X10 control, signal-boosting technology and an integrated countdown timer in one easy-to-use switch. This switch includes a revolutionary countdown timer feature — called TimerTap™ — allows the switch to automatically turn off the lights (or any other receiver on the same X10 address) after a user-adjustable period of time up to 45 minutes.
Manual Countdown Timers are ideal when you want to control how long the light stays on. For example, with our Leviton 10-/20-/30-/60-minute Timer Switch, you can press the 60-minute button, and the light will stay on for exactly 60 minutes (unless you hit the "Off" switch before then). In-Wall Timer Switches are also available with spring-wound controllers if you want more than four timed options. These units are ideal if you only need local control (they cannot be turned on remotely by an X10 signal).
Motion Sensor Countdown Timers turn on automatically when they sense motion, and turn off several minutes (adjustable in most cases) after motion was last detected. Both manual and motion-sensor countdown timers connect much like an ordinary switch for easy installation. These units are ideal if you only need local control (they cannot be turned on remotely by an X10 signal).
- The Leviton Wall-Mounted Occupancy Sensor is great if you just need lights to turn on when you enter a room and want the lights to shut off a few minutes after the unit last detected motion.
- The Leviton Commercial-Grade Occupancy Sensor is just like the Leviton Wall-Mounted Occupancy Sensor, but with extended motion sensing range, a longer timed duration and enhanced reliability.
- The Leviton Dual Relay Occupancy Sensor works just like the Leviton Wall-Mounted Occupancy Sensor, but this one controls two power circuits. It's perfect if you need to add motion-sensing control to a bathroom light and a bathroom fan ... all from one switch.
- The Screw-In Motion Sensor Switch is great for use in garages, walk-in closets or any other rooms that commonly have exposed twist-in bulbs.
| | | 3. Set up an "All Off" Button | |
One of the most frustrating energy wasters is accidentally leaving lights on all night long. Fortunately with a Mini Timer and a couple of LampLinc lamp modules or SwitchLinc dimmers and switches, you can turn off those easily-forgotten lights from the convenience of your nightstand using the "All Units Off" button.
For standalone lamps, simply plug a LampLinc PLC Plug-In Lamp Module into the wall and plug the lamp into the module. Following the steps described in the instruction manual, set the X10 address for the unit by sending a signal with the Mini Controller. An X10 address consists of an X10 "house code" (represented by the letters A-P) and one "unit code" (represented by the numbers 1-16). It doesn't matter which house/unit code you choose, although we recommend avoiding codes that begin with "A." House code A is the default setting and the one your neighbors are most likely to use if they get a similar system, which could result in phantom signals.
For built-in light fixtures, simply replace the wall switch with a SwitchLinc PLC Dimmer (or any of the dimmers described at the top of this solution page). Followingthe steps described in the instruction manual, set the X10 address. Be sure that all your lights and lamps have the same house code. With a small screwdriver, set the house code wheel on the Smarthome Mini Controller to the same house code as the lamp modules and light switches. Plug the Mini Controller into any outlet, and you'll have the instant ability to turn all those lights on or off with the press of one button on the Mini Controller.
| | | 4. Replace Incandescent Bulbs With Compact Fluorescent Bulbs | |
 Want to get all the light you're accustomed to but with only one third the energy? Try replacing your standard, incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient Fluorescent Light Bulbs, including new versions that can be dimmed!
How much can you save? That depends on how many you use. For example, if you replace 10 standard 3-way bulbs with 10 compact fluorescent 3-way bulbs, you can reduce your bill by nearly $14 a month! At that rate, they'll virtually pay for themselves after only 9 months — and that's with a bulb lifespan of more than 4 years. (Figures based on 12 cents per kilowatt hour at an average of 5 hours use per day).
Note for X10 Users: If you tried to control fluorescent lights with X10 modules in the past and had an unpleasant experience, you'll be pleasantly surprised with these models. These lamps inject just about zero noise onto the line, making them the only fluorescent light bulbs we tested that won't cause problems with your X10 system (for complete details, see the specifications chart by clicking here. Be sure to use non-dimming switches or modules when automating lights with compact fluorescent bulbs.
Try some or all of these methods today, and you'll be amazed at how much you can reduce your energy costs!
For more solutions, visit our Solution of the Week Archive.
|
View Cart 
