If you were an inventor, what would you invent that would turn the lights off when you left a room?

Question

Be specific...but not too mechanical...remember... hasn't been invented yet...so no..clapper...or...sensors..make it original!! My electric bill is way too high...let's get you patented!

Answer 1

A video camera that shouts-''Turn off the light'' when you leave the room

Answer 2

I like the suggestion about the floor plate that works from pressure.
Lighting is probably the least of your worries. Household electricity usage is highest from appliances. The number one culprit is the refrigerator. Check to be sure you have it set at a proper temperature. Be sure the gasket (that rubber stripping around the inside of the door) is in good condition and forms a tight seal.
Also, if your heating unit is electric it will use too much energy if the air in your house is too dry. Get the humidity up to 40% and you'll be able to keep your thermostat at 68 and still feel comfortable.
As you replace your appliances, look for those with a high efficiency rating. If you can help it, don't accept older appliances from well intentioned friends or relatives. They can suck up scads of electricity.

Answer 3

This is something that already exists. it's called a motion sensor, lots of people already have them.

If you can't afford your electric bill, I doubt you can afford to market a new item that no one even needs because we already have motion sensors.

Try turning the temperature down in your fridge and if your water heater is electric you can turn down your heat on that too.
Sometimes people leave their stereos on standby all the time and that can also run up an electric bill. You can also try lower watt light bulbs.

Answer 4

well if you do not want to use sensors then you could try plates in the floor that will turn the lights off when pressure is applied. i think that your bill is probably not from lights. they do cost, but really a lamp does not use that much electricity. i think that your best bet is to do some experimenting. i would leave certain things on and turn others off and then see what your usage is. that way you will see what is causing the high bill. we leave a lamp in our living room on 24 hours a day and it makes no difference if we leave it off. is your heat electric? what about your hotwater heater and your stove?

Answer 5

Wanna be original? Rid yourself of light altogether! We use light because our eyes are not sensitive enough to low light intensity. Nocturnal animals are much more evolevd in that matter.

So how about some sort of chip in the brain or modification to the retina which would enable us to see in low light? No more need for lamps then!

By the way, I think current technology has already given us good, working, sensors which respond to movement, sound and heat alterations in the enviroment...

Answer 6

I would invent something when you walk in a room and the light turns on. If you stay in that room the light will stay on as long you are still in that room. When you leave the light will turn off as soon as you walk out of the room.

Answer 7

umm...something connected to the door like the ones in refridgerators except that this turns off all the lights like a main, maybe the fridge and other things that need electricity all the time can be left out.

Answer 8

An optical sensor at the exit point will do the trick.

Answer 9

There already are many ways for you to reduce your electric bill. When it becomes more important to you, you will find which ones work.

Answer 10

Have a big button thingy in the ground and when you step on it the lights turn on/off