Learn More About Timers and Controls

Do you sometimes forget to switch off the lights? According to the US Department of Energy, lighting accounts for about 22% of the electricity used in the United States. That's about $55 billion worth of electricity each year. Timers can significantly reduce lighting energy consumption in your home or business. Install a timer on your most easily forgotten lights and watch the savings roll in. These little unobtrusive gadgets put an end to wasted energy worries by turning off the lights for you. Each type of timer has a different level programmability, putting the control in your hands.

Installing timers on CFLs set to stay on for 15 minutes or more provides a good balance of light life expectancy and energy savings. However, rooms that are occupied for shorter periods of time (bathrooms, closets, garages, etc.) should be fitted with LEDs with light timers for maximum savings. Although energy savings depend on the size of the area, use and type of light bulb, the average overall reduction can range from 10% up to 45% or more. With savings like that, what are you waiting for?

Choose the timers that are right for your individual needs and let them do the work. Many timers can be set on a 5-day week with individual settings for Saturday and Sunday, other can be programmed with individual settings for each day of the week.

From the simple to the advanced, there are a wide range of timers available in these basic categories:

• Simple timers: These are the most basic option available, just plug it into the wall and plug the desired appliance into it. They generally come with small pegs that are placed in the desired on and off time slots. Some models even allow you to program different times over a 7-day period. Suitable for lamps, holiday lights or small appliances.
• Preset timers: These timers usually consist of a simple wall switch connected to specific fixtures. Just turn the light on and it will stay on for a user-settable period of time, such as 5, 10, 30 or 45 minutes. Ideal for storage rooms, bathrooms, garages or under-cabinet lighting.
• Programmable timers: These more advanced devices let you program several unique time intervals for each day of the week. Some units even come with seasonal programming that will turn specified lights on at sunset. Best for lights that should be turned on and off at similar times throughout of the year, such as decorative lights and front or back outdoor fixtures.
• Photo or Photocell timers: These give you precise timing control with a photo sensitive device. By sensing changes in sunlight levels, the timer turns lights on and off only as needed, and can even function with dimmable bulbs, making minute adjustments to a bulb's intensity. No programming required. Appropriate for use with indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures.