August 22, 2006
Automatic Lights Turn off When You Leave the Room
Ever heard of the Watt Stopper? Well, it's a lighting system perfect for those families that tend to leave the lights on behind them all the time. If you're tired of going around after people and turning off switches, this device might be able to help. The Watt Stopper is a replacement for your standard wall light switch. You turn it on manually, as with a normal switch, but it has a built-in vacancy sensor that uses passive infrared technology to scan the room and determine when nobody's there any more. It then flicks off the lights on its own.
According to the company, the smart switch can reduce lighting usage by 20-50%, thus lowering your electrical bills. The Watt Stopper comes in two models, a basic one and one that includes a built-in LED nightlight. The price will run you $36 or $44, respectively.
