Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

How many of you guys have your exterior lights set up on a timer to run at night?

I've noticed on our street that some don't run them at night to either save money/electricity, or don't want to burn out their bulbs, or for some other reason. Then we have others that only run them in the evening while they're awake and turn them off when they go to bed, and others that let them run all night, probably for security.

I just bought an Aube timer (made by honeywell) that is automatically set to turn on/off based on sunset/sunrise. Pretty if you ask me. I've got it set that way vs turning it off when we go to bed, mainly for added security. There's also that "welcome" feeling that some people have about having lights turned on and if guests arrive to a home that's lit vs unlit. We do have a security alarm as well.

While speaking with my FIL though, he feels it's a waste of money, and sometimes I feel the same, but I don't like putting a price on security. so I thought I'd ask what you guys do and your thoughts on it.

Will Y.

Motion detectors FTW.

hornyleprechaun

I have two dogs that will alert me of anything moving outside.. I'll turn the lights on if I'm expecting anyone at night, but besides that it's a waste. Not really a money factor, but pointless to have them on.

Moog-Type-S

When I am expecting company...otherwise no.

thunder04

iTrader: (1)

My fiancée's parents leave their porch light on 24/7/365. In fact, her dad removed the switch! You CAN'T turn it off if you wanted to. He claims that it hardly uses any energy...but my thought is that a penny here and there will add up in no time.

I turn my porch light on if I'm expecting company or if I'm making a trip to the garbage can at night. Otherwise, it's off.

thunder04

iTrader: (1)

Ok...I just Googled "Aube timer". That's pretty slick. I may look into this...

fsttyms1

I run them while im at home and awake. As soon as i finish the landscaping i will have Low Voltage lighting out front and that will be on the majority of the evening automatically.

MWalsh9152

I hardly have the lights on IN the house when Im home, nevermind outside. Its not so much to do with cost, but rather to conserve resources. If Im not expecting anyone, then the lights arent on. However sometimes at night I will turn them on when we're going out so I can see when I return (mainly nights that there isnt much moonlight)

jupitersolo

Not on a timer, turn them on at dark and off when I get up.

svtmike

I have mine run dusk to dawn. They are on a timer similar to the Honeywell Aube that knows dawn/dusk/DST based on my location. Rear and service door lights are controlled by photocells.

stogie1020

Eff you for the poll options.

Also, mine are on a timer. They all come on around dusk and shut off around midnight.

Gfaze

I don't run them at night unless I'm expecting someone or I'm outside doing something.

svtmike

The poll options don't make any sense. The lights attract bugs, which attracts spiders to build webs around the lights. If you were truly afraid of spiders, you'd leave the lights off.

Which reminds me -- it's getting to be time for the yearly infestation of the big brown orb weavers.

dallison

i have a few solar powered ones, that automatically come on.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the input guys! Those of you running solar powered lights, any recommendations on a brand/type?

That's a bit much. If you want to run it all day, fine, but to remove the switch all together?

Here is the version I have, http://www.aubetech.com/products/pro...163&noLangue=2

I had to purchase this one specifically because we don't have a neutral wire coming out of the wall, or at least I didn't see it. We only had a load, line and ground. This Aube timer allows for that situation. It is also the only timer I could find that will work in situations where under 40 watts of power is used. This is critical if you are running CFL's on the exterior that don't produce that much power.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Can't wait to change all the lighting to LED when those improve in quality and decrease in price.

chill_dog

+1

paz840

iTrader: (2)

I don't run my front exterior lights unless I'm expecting company. I may look into motion detectors for the back though.

Moog-Type-S

It's gonna be a while.

In the commercial market it's taking off...due to state of CA Title 24 energy requirements.

...the light color temperature still leaves a lot to be desired...unless you spend the big $$$ then the temp. color is fantastic.

When everything goes LED, you won't need the timer anymore....just leave 'em on forever.....2 watts...

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Great poll options, I usually only put the porch light on when I'm expecting people or the gf is working nights, I turn them off when I go to bed. I did want to buy a new porch light that auto turned on and off when dusk/dawn occurred but sams quit selling them

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

We have 9 low voltage uplights (3 on trees that line the driveway, 5 on the house to uplight it, 1 down-lighting our fountain) which are on timer. They generally run from about dusk (9pm) to midnight. The time they come on is adjusted by season so that they always come on around dusk.

We sometimes (rarely) turn the lights outside of our garage on if we know we'll be home late when the uplights are off... just to give us some lighting when coming home down the driveway.

Other then that we hardly use the rest of our outside lights unless we're outside swimming at night or something... but nothing overnight.

doopstr

We have motion detectors. The lights come on when it's dark. If no one is around they dim to half brightness. If the detector picks up something they go on bright.

We have a lot of spiders outside and I want to be able to see them.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

motion FTW...

litesout

I've just got a CFL on my front porch that comes on at night. Its on a timer similar to your Aube timer. When you program it, you have to tell it what zone you're in based on the instructions, date, time, etc. I've got mine set for Sunset - 1am and the random turned on both. The random turns the light on or off within a half hour on either side of the programmed on/off times. Some nights it turns off at 12:43ish, others it turns off closer to 1:30. I've also got one or two other lights on timers inside the house. I work irregular hours, so I don't want anyone to know when I'm home

jupitersolo

I bought a 6w LED floodlight to put in the basement, I only bought one to see if I'd like it. Not enough light and it was $35, the 16w was $75. I'll be waiting use these.