Saving Energy at Our School
By: Ishaan, Haley, Isabel, Shayla
Light Sensors
Pros and Cons
Saves power.
No forgetting to turn off lights.
No useless switches that need to be constantly replaced.
Easier to turn on and off.
More modernized.
Cons
Larger initial cost.
Harder to turn off in lock down situations.
Lights turning off while students stay still for to long.
Better Alteratives
Non Sensored lights vs. Sensored lights
Non Sensored lights = 39,930 KWH per school year.
Sensored Lights = 27,951 KWH per school year.
Savings of = 11,979 KWH (based on sensors reducing burn time by 30%).
Comparing Annual Cost Without/With Sensors:
Non sensored lights = $4,392 per school year.
Sensored lights = $3,075 per school year.
Savings of = $1,317 per school year.
What is a light sensor?
Circuit diagram of a phototransistor
Phototransistor
Photoresister
Cost/Installions
- Prices run about $15-$70 starting with a basic two-blub floodlight and going up to a more stylish porch light fixture, but can be $75-$200 or more a fancier outdoor fixture. Options can include solar power, dusk-to-dawn operation, a floodlight arc up to 240 degrees, remote control, or a remote sensor (detached from the light source).
- Most motion sensor lights are designed to be a fairly basic do-it-yourself installation project, but you can hire a handyman for anywhere from about $30-$250 in labor costs depending on the time involved, the hourly rate and the minimum per-visit charge.
- A motion detection sensor is a fairly simple device that scans the infrared spectrum of light and picks up heat waves from moving objects. Once they detect something moving in the area, most motions sensor lights let you adjust how long they stay on (1 minute, 5 minutes).
- Installation can be relatively simple, requiring just a screwdriver, hammer and circuit tester.
More on Light Sensors
- Someone who would install the sensor lights would be an electrician or light fixture installer, another option is to do it yourself. The lights will stay maintained,if they are battery operated, the batteries will have to be changed every 6 months or so. They will not have to be maintained if they are connected to the electricity, they only thing is to just keep the electricity on.
- Lighting is one of the largest users of energy in the classroom. By turning out the lights when a classroom is unoccupied, the school can save money. The school may also want to consider "occupancy sensors" that detected whether there are people in the room. If no one is there, the switch turns off the light.Lighting is one of the largest users of energy in the classroom. By turning out the lights when a classroom is unoccupied, the school can save money. The school may also want to consider "occupancy sensors" that detected whether there are people in the room. If no one is there, the switch turns off the light.
- Helping the school requires a lot of money so we need to come up with way to make money.
Who will Install it and What are some changes?
We asked the Janitor who would install it and he said that their is a school company that makes the implements and installments.
What are some changes needing to be made?
We would need to remove all the switch and replace them with the light sensors. You would probably need to put new wires in and put them in a place that would sensor.
Bibliography
- http://home.costhelper.com/motion-sensor-lights.html
- http://education.rec.ri.cmu.edu/content/electronics/boe/light_sensor/1.html
- http://www.hoveyelectric.com/hovey-electric-power-blog/bid/72105/A-Case-For-Occupancy-Sensors-in-Schools
- http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2014/09/12/countrys-first-net-zero-energy-school-opens-in-coppell/
- http://keepingschoolsgreen.weebly.com/motion-sensor-lights.html