Lady in Northwood called us couple years back wanting motion sensor lights installed cause she was tired of fumbling for keys in the dark every time she came home at night. Her old porch light had a switch inside so she'd unlock the door in darkness then turn the light on which felt backwards. We installed a motion sensor light at her front entry that comes on as soon as she walks up. She called back a week later saying it was the best money she ever spent on her house cause now coming home at night is easy and she feels way safer approaching her door with light already on.
Thats the beauty of motion sensor lights. They turn on exactly when you need them without you doing anything. Hands full of groceries? Light comes on. Walking to the shed in the dark? Light comes on. Someone approaching your property? Light comes on. Simple idea but it makes a huge difference.
How Motion Sensors Actually Work
Motion sensor lights use whats called PIR technology - passive infrared. Sounds fancy but the concept is simple.
Everything that has heat gives off infrared radiation. People and animals give off more than the background cause were warm. The PIR sensor watches for changes in infrared levels across its field of view. When something warm moves through the area the sensor detects the change and triggers the light.
Passive means the sensor doesnt send out any signals. Its just watching and listening. This is different from active sensors like radar or ultrasonic which send out signals and watch for reflections. PIR is simpler and cheaper which is why basically all motion lights use it.
The sensor has a detection zone - usually a cone shape in front of it. Good sensors detect motion 10-15 meters away. Cheap sensors might only go 5-8 meters. Wide angle sensors can cover 180 degrees or more.
When motion is detected the light turns on. It stays on for a set time - usually adjustable from 30 seconds to 10 minutes or more. If the sensor keeps detecting motion it keeps the light on. Once motion stops the timer counts down and the light turns off.
We installed motion lights on a rental in Sydenham where the landlord wanted to save power but still have good lighting for tenants. Motion sensors mean lights are only on when actually needed instead of burning all night. Cuts the power bill way down while still keeping the property well-lit when people are using it.
Benefits of Motion Sensor Lighting
Motion sensor lights give you benefits you dont get from regular switches or lights that stay on all the time.
Convenience is the big one. Lights turn on automatically when you need them. No fumbling for switches when your hands are full. No walking through dark areas to reach a light switch. Everything lights up as you approach.
Energy savings add up. Lights only run when triggered instead of staying on for hours. If you replaced porch lights that stay on all night with motion sensors youd save 80-90% of the power. Over a year thats real money specially if you have multiple outdoor lights.
Security improves cause lights coming on suddenly draws attention and startles anyone whos up to no good. Plus motion lights eliminate dark spots where people can hide without you having lights blazing all night.
Safety gets better cause pathways and steps light up automatically when you approach. No more walking in darkness and tripping. No more trying to see where youre going with just moonlight.
Less maintenance cause LED motion lights last forever and you dont wear them out running constantly. A motion light might run 1-2 hours a night instead of 10-12 hours for an always-on light. That adds years to the fixture life.
Had an elderly couple in Papanui who wanted better lighting but worried about power bills. We installed motion sensor lights around their property - front entrance, back door, path to the clothesline, garage area. They get bright light whenever they need it but their power bill barely changed cause lights are only on a fraction of the time.
Different Uses for Motion Sensor Lights
Motion sensor lights work for lots of different situations around your property.
Entry lighting is probably the most common. Front doors, back doors, garage doors. Light comes on when you approach making it easy to unlock doors and see whos there. Makes coming home at night way easier and safer.
Pathway lighting keeps you from tripping on steps or rough ground. Motion lights along paths turn on as you walk lighting your way without switches. Specially good for older folks who might struggle with seeing in the dark.
Garage and shed lighting means you can see what youre doing when grabbing tools or parking. Walk up to the garage and lights come on automatically. No need to install switches or remember to turn lights on and off.
Driveway lighting helps when pulling in at night. Lights trigger as you approach making it easier to navigate without hitting things. Also alerts you when someone else is coming up your driveway.
Security lighting around your property perimeter deters intruders. Anyone approaching triggers bright lights making them visible and usually making them leave. Way more effective than lights that stay on cause the sudden change draws attention.
Backyard lighting for late evening use. Taking rubbish out, letting the dog out, checking on something outside - motion lights make it easy without leaving lights on all evening just in case you need them.
Indoor motion lights work too. Pantries, laundry rooms, garages, basements - places you walk into with your hands full. Light comes on when you enter and turns off after you leave. Never fumble for switches in the dark again.
Choosing the Right Motion Sensor Lights
Not all motion sensor lights are the same. Different types work better for different situations.
Brightness matters. Security lights need to be bright - 2000-3000 lumens or more. Entry lights can be dimmer - 800-1500 lumens. Pathway lights might only need 400-800 lumens. Match brightness to what youre using the light for.
Detection range needs to fit your space. Big property needs sensors that detect 12-15 meters out. Small courtyard might only need 5-8 meter range. Too much range and youll get false triggers from neighbors or people walking past on the street.
Detection angle affects coverage. 180 degree sensors cover wide areas good for corners where people might approach from multiple directions. Narrow angle sensors focus on specific paths or doorways.
Adjustability is useful. Good motion lights let you adjust sensitivity, timer duration, and sometimes detection zones. Cheap lights have fixed settings that might not work for your situation.
Quality matters a lot. Cheap motion lights fail fast specially in our Christchurch weather. False triggers, sensors that stop working, plastic that cracks. We install commercial grade fixtures that last years not months.
LED vs old technology is an easy choice. LED uses way less power, lasts way longer, works better in cold weather. Old halogen motion lights are basically obsolete now.
We did a house in Cashmere where they wanted motion lights but didnt want them going off constantly for every cat that walked past. We installed adjustable sensors and set them to lower sensitivity with narrow detection zones focused just on their pathways and entries. Works perfectly - triggers for people but ignores small animals.
Indoor Motion Sensor Applications
Most people think motion sensors are just for outdoor security but they work great indoors too.
Pantries and closets are perfect cause you always have your hands full going in. Light comes on when you open the door, stays on while you grab stuff, turns off after you leave. No switches to flip while holding armloads of food.
Laundry rooms same deal. Walk in with a basket of washing and light comes on automatically. Way better than fumbling for a switch.
Garages and workshops benefit specially if you use them a lot. Walk in, light comes on. Leave, light turns off after a few minutes. Never leave lights on by mistake.
Bathrooms can use motion sensors too. Light comes on when you walk in at night. Some people worry about lights turning off while theyre in there but you just set the timer long enough that it wont happen.
Hallways and stairways are good for motion lights. Walk through and lights come on ahead of you. Good for night time bathroom trips when you dont want to fumble for switches.
Commercial buildings use motion lights a lot. Storage rooms, back hallways, meeting rooms that arent used constantly. Saves a ton of power compared to leaving lights on all day.
We installed motion lights throughout a warehouse in Addington. High bay LED lights with motion sensors in every aisle. Lights turn on when someone enters an aisle and off when its empty. Warehouse went from having 50 lights on all day to maybe 5-10 on at any given time. Power bill dropped like 70%.
Common Motion Sensor Problems and Fixes
Motion sensors usually work great but sometimes you get issues.
False triggers are the main complaint. Lights coming on when nothing is there. Usually caused by the sensor detecting heat from other sources - hot water pipes, heating vents, sun heating up surfaces. Or trees moving in wind, small animals, insects. We fix this by repositioning sensors, adjusting sensitivity, or masking off problem areas.
Not triggering when you walk by means sensitivity is too low or youre outside the detection zone. Or something is blocking the sensor view. We adjust settings or reposition til it works right.
Lights staying on constantly might mean the sensor sees continuous motion from something - like a tree branch right in front of it or heat from a vent. Or the sensor failed and needs replacing.
Short timer making lights turn off too quick. You set the timer duration - if its too short lights turn off while youre still working. Just adjust the timer to something longer.
Lights flickering on and off rapidly usually means the sensor is right on the edge of detecting something. Small movements trigger it on then off then on. Adjusting sensitivity or repositioning fixes this.
Weather affecting sensor performance. Extreme cold can reduce range slightly. Rain shouldnt matter if the sensor is installed properly but water getting into bad seals can cause problems. Using quality weatherproof fixtures prevents this.
Installing Motion Sensor Lights Properly
Motion sensor lights need to be installed right to work properly.
Height matters. Mount them 2-3 meters up for best detection. Too low and they might not see people approaching. Too high and detection gets worse. Also mounting high keeps them out of reach from tampering.
Angle the sensor at the area you want to cover. Most sensors detect best when motion crosses their field of view rather than coming straight at them. Angle them to watch pathways and approaches.
Avoid aiming sensors at heat sources. HVAC vents, dryer vents, hot water cylinder relief valves - anything that releases heat can trigger sensors. Point them away from these.
Keep sensors away from direct sunlight if possible. Sun heating up the sensor can affect performance. Not always possible but if you have a choice mount them in shade or on north-facing walls.
Wire them properly with weatherproof connections. Outdoor motion lights need GFCI protection. Indoor ones need proper junction boxes and secure connections.
Test thoroughly after installation. Walk around from different directions and different speeds. Make sure the light triggers when it should and the coverage is right. Adjust settings as needed.
We always spend time fine-tuning motion sensors after installation. Every property is different - what works at one place might not work at another. We adjust til youre happy with how they perform.
Motion Sensors vs Manual Switches
Some situations work better with motion sensors, others work better with switches.
Motion sensors are better when you need automatic convenience. Entries, pathways, security lighting, garage. Places where having lights come on automatically makes life easier.
Switches are better when you want control over when lights are on. Porch lights you want on all evening for entertaining. Landscape lights that stay on til you go to bed. Anything where automatic on/off would be annoying.
You can combine both. A motion sensor light with a manual override switch gives you automatic operation most of the time plus the ability to force it on when needed.
Some people worry about motion sensors being inconvenient but honestly once you get used to them most people prefer it. Not having to flip switches all the time is nice.
For security lighting motion sensors are way better than switches cause lights coming on suddenly is more effective at deterring intruders than lights that are always on.
Had a customer in Riccarton who wasnt sure about motion sensors. We installed them with manual overrides so he could switch them to always-on if he wanted. After a month he never used the overrides cause the automatic operation worked so well he forgot switches were even there.
Smart Motion Sensor Options
Smart motion sensors add features beyond basic on/off operation.
Phone notifications when sensors trigger. Good for security - you get an alert when someone approaches your property even if youre not home.
Remote control lets you turn lights on or off from your phone. Check your cameras when motion is detected. Change settings without climbing up to the fixture.
Integration with other smart home gear. Motion lights can trigger cameras to start recording. Can work with alarm systems. Can adjust based on time of day or whether youre home.
Learning algorithms reduce false alarms. Smart sensors learn normal patterns - like your cat that goes out every night - and stop alerting for those while still alerting for unusual motion.
Scheduling lets you set different behavior for different times. Maybe full sensitivity at night but reduced during the day. Or disable motion detection when youre working in the yard.
Smart sensors cost more - maybe $200-400 per fixture vs $100-150 for regular motion lights. Worth it if you want the extra features and control.
Motion Sensor Maintenance
Motion sensor lights need some basic care to keep working right.
Clean sensors regularly. Dust, dirt, spider webs block the sensor view and reduce range. Just wipe them down with a damp cloth every few months.
Check that fixtures are still aimed right. Weather and vibration can shift them over time. Make sure theyre still pointing at the areas you want covered.
Test sensors periodically. Walk in front of each one to make sure it still triggers. If response gets slow sensor might be failing.
Keep plants trimmed. Branches growing in front of sensors cause false triggers from movement. Keep the sensor view clear.
Check weatherproofing on outdoor fixtures. Make sure seals are intact and water isnt getting in. Moisture inside sensors causes failures.
Replace old sensors eventually. PIR sensors do wear out over years. If a sensor gets unreliable just replace it instead of fighting with it.
Cost of Motion Sensor Lighting
Motion sensor lights cost more than regular lights but the convenience and energy savings are worth it.
Basic outdoor motion light installed runs $150-250. This covers the fixture, wiring, labor, everything. Good for simple applications like a back door or garage.
Better quality motion lights with adjustable settings run $200-350 installed. Worth it for locations where you need reliable performance and fine tuning.
Smart motion lights cost $300-500 installed cause the fixtures themselves are pricier. Good value if you want phone control and notifications.
Indoor motion switches (just replacing a switch with a motion sensor) run $80-150. Easy upgrade that makes a big difference in pantries and laundry rooms.
Multiple lights in one visit brings the per-light cost down. We did 6 motion lights on a house in Halswell for about $1200 total cause we were already there and set up.
Motion sensors pay for themselves in energy savings if youre replacing lights that currently stay on all night. Might take a year or two but after that its pure savings.
Motion Sensors in Different Christchurch Weather
Christchurch weather can affect motion sensor performance.
Cold weather reduces detection range slightly cause theres less temperature difference between people and the background. Not usually a big deal but something to know.
Hot sunny days can make sensors less sensitive cause everything gets warm. Again not usually a problem if sensors are installed properly.
Rain and fog dont directly affect PIR sensors cause theyre detecting heat not light. But moisture getting into poorly sealed fixtures can cause failures. We use quality weatherproof fixtures that dont have this problem.
Wind causing false triggers from moving plants is common here. We position sensors to avoid looking at trees and bushes when possible, or use lower sensitivity settings.
UV damage from our strong sun breaks down cheap plastic fixtures over a few years. Quality fixtures have UV-resistant materials that last decades.
Overall motion sensors work fine in Christchurch weather as long as you use proper fixtures and install them right. The cheap solar ones from hardware stores dont last but commercial grade units handle our conditions no problem.