Occupancy sensors for commercial electricity saving (40–60% lighting cut)

Automation & IoT · 6 min read · Updated 2026-03-12
TL;DR

PIR / microwave occupancy sensors auto-switch lights and fans in low-occupancy zones. Typical corridor lighting drops 40–60%; bathrooms and meeting rooms 50–70%. ROI of 4–10 months.

Best places to retrofit occupancy sensors

  • —Office corridors and conference rooms.
  • —Hotel bathrooms and wardrobe lights.
  • —PG / hostel common corridors.
  • —Mall service corridors, back-of-house.
  • —Warehouse aisles with intermittent footfall.

Frequently asked questions

Do occupancy sensors work with old tube-lights?

Yes, though they're most efficient when paired with LEDs. Older magnetic ballasts wear faster with frequent switching — upgrade to electronic ballasts or LEDs.

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