How Occupancy Sensors Are Part of the “Perfect Home”

There are certain things that, once you see them, you can never “unsee them.”

Then, there are things you learn that stick with you the same way.

For example, it’s been a big “WOW” moment for clients when we ask them: why mold your life to the house you live in, instead of molding your home to the life you want to live?

Yes—the “perfect home” will only be “perfect” if you put the way you want to live into words, then design spaces that make that lifestyle possible.

…Today, though, technology has made it harder to put “perfect” into words. Why? Because technology in the home has provided new living standards that most homeowners still don’t know about, and so those standards can’t figure into their “dream lives” until they learn what’s possible!!

Think of it this way: no one ever dreamed of jetting off to destinations around the world in a matter of hours until literal JETS were a part of our world. So, any homeowner unaware of what technology in the home can do now doesn’t know how to dream about its lifestyle implications.

Cue: occupancy sensors.

What are occupancy sensors?

Occupancy sensors are smart devices designed to detect the presence or number of people in a space…or those people’s activity level. They were first introduced into homes in the 1980s, originally just to control lights. (This is when motion-sensor lights were born.)

As home technology sped forward, occupancy sensors became more accurate and sensitive…and they became MUCH more powerful after they could be connected to smart home systems and appliances.

Today, modern occupancy sensors are a sophisticated source of home automations like:

• Advanced climate control based on the presence or number of people, and their activity levels…this means automatically adjusting heating and cooling.
• Responsive lighting systems that go WELL past the on/off function. Today, occupancy sensors tell lights to adjust based on the time of day, natural light available, AND user preference. Imagine setting an automatic ambience any time you have people over!!
• Enhanced security systems use occupancy sensors and integrations with your phone, too, triggering alarms, cameras, and alerts to you OR to emergency services.
• Other smart home systems can also use occupancy sensor data, like when automatically raising the volume of the music based on the number of people or their activity level.

The Role of Occupancy Sensors in the “Perfect Home”

Until recent years, the perfect home would have been one designed to support all your lifestyle goals…with spaces that promote the family time you crave, or the amenities like the in-home gym that keeps you healthy, or the private spa-grade bathroom that offers you daily balance and peace.

Today, your home can anticipate and respond to your every need, and occupancy sensors are the nervous system your home uses to make that happen. As they constantly gather information, occupancy sensors signal different parts of the home to act. Whether that means adjusting the temperature when it’s sunny or dimming the lights for a soirée, occupancy sensors create the environment that feels magically attuned to your day-to-day needs.

These are the principal functions of occupancy sensors…

1. Climate control — adjusting your HVAC system based on occupancy and activity levels
2. Lighting control — automating your energy efficiency and setting the perfect ambience for every activity
3. Enhanced security — movement and other readings are turned into alerts managed easily from an app
4. Smart home integrations — whether you want the coffee machine to turn on automatically whenever more than five people are over, or you want the oven to start cooking the roast as soon as everyone sits down in the living room, occupancy sensors trigger smart home functionalities
5. Energy efficiency — from lights to appliances, occupancy sensors can automatically turn specific systems on and off based on who’s there, and what’s needed

Climate Control

One of the most important roles of occupancy sensors (for your comfort AND for cost efficiency) is in climate control.

Occupancy sensors detect the number of people in a room PLUS their activity level, and then adjust heating or cooling accordingly.

For example, when you have people over, the occupancy sensors monitor movement and infrared temperature as people mingle. It lowers the temperature to keep everyone comfortable when it senses many people moving around.

On the flipside, if everyone wanders out to the patio, the occupancy sensors know the room is empty and adjusts the HVAC once again, saving you later on your energy bill.

Climate control uses of occupancy sensors include:

• Adjusting thermostat settings based on occupancy.
• Enhancing zoned heating and cooling by focusing on occupied areas.
• Integrating with blinds to open or close based on room temperature and occupancy.
• Adjusting ceiling fans’ speeds to maintain optimal comfort levels.
• Managing humidity levels in occupied rooms for better air quality.

Lighting Control

Occupancy sensors make lighting safer and better suited for every occasion. Imagine walking into your kitchen at night, and the lights gradually turn on, just bright enough to guide you but without fully waking you up. You leave the room, and the lights automatically dim down again…

Or, imagine a group of friends mingling in your living room as the sun goes down. The occupancy sensors feel the sun shining through the windows, and the blinds lower automatically to protect everyone inside before the room heats more than a degree. As darkness falls, the overhead lighting shifts from bright white to warm tungsten, setting the scene for entertaining into the night.

Today, lighting control applications of occupancy sensors include:

• Turning lights on and off automatically as people enter or leave rooms.
• Dimming lights based on the time of day or the amount of natural light available.
• Enhancing security by illuminating pathways and entrances when movement is detected.
• Customizing lighting scenes for different activities, like reading or watching movies.
• Integrating with smart blinds to adjust natural light levels throughout the day.

Enhanced Security

Occupancy sensors are also a crucial part of modern home security systems. They’re more sensitive and “smarter” than ever and detect unusual movements and temperature spikes. You get alerts on your smartphone and a call to an emergency service is a tap away, if need be.

Enhanced security features with occupancy sensors include:

• Triggering alarms when unexpected movement is detected.
• Sending notifications to homeowners about unusual activity.
• Coordinating with smart locks to secure doors when no one is home.
• Integrating with surveillance cameras to start recording upon detecting movement.
• Monitoring outdoor spaces to activate lights and cameras when someone approaches.

Smart Home Integrations

In the context of a smart home, occupancy sensors are the brains behind MANY devices, creating a seamless living experience in ways that will probably surprise you. For example, occupancy sensors can coordinate with your TV, sound system, and lighting as soon as you sit on the couch to watch a movie, then adjust all of them accordingly.

Smart home integrations with occupancy sensors include (but definitely aren’t limited to):

• Syncing with smart speakers to play music when you enter a room.
• Activating smart kitchen appliances when someone enters the kitchen.
• Adjusting smart blinds and curtains based on occupancy and time of day.
• Integrating with home assistants to customize responses based on who’s there.
• Managing water heaters to ensure hot water is available when needed, but not wasted.

Energy Efficiency

Occupancy sensors are convenient for any homeowner, but in households with kids, they’re a HUGE money-saver! They ensure that lights, appliances, and systems are only active when needed.

Energy efficiency enhancements with occupancy sensors include:

• Turning off HVAC systems in unoccupied rooms.
• Controlling lighting to activate only when movement or heat is detected.
• Managing energy use of smart appliances based on occupancy patterns.
• Automatically shutting down entertainment systems when no one is present.
• Optimizing energy use in home offices by powering down equipment when not in use.

The Future of Smart Living

Occupancy sensors are transforming homes into responsive environments that elevate your level of comfort and safety, not to mention your quality of life.

Don’t mold your whole life into a house…and don’t limit your dreams by ignoring the extraordinary benefits of occupancy sensors. Your home can anticipate your desires and enhance every comfort. Mold your home to the way YOU want to live.

Take a moment to imagine how each of these features could enhance your day-to-day living. Which would be the most impactful?

It’s natural to be cautious (or sluggish) about adopting new technology. These sensors are “fancy gadgets” that you don’t really need, right?

That depends. Do you want to live your best life?

Occupancy sensors provide tangible benefits like energy savings, increased security, and convenience that WILL win you time back in your day…every day. An investment in your home isn’t just a money decision. It’s a life decision.

Join the conversation in our private design group on Facebook to share what benefits of occupancy sensors have the most potential for you!!

About the author

Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.

In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.

In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.