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Occupancy sensors – using technology to save energy

By Matthew Latham, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron / Published May 19, 2011

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SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C -- "Remember to turn off the lights when you leave!" For some, this simple reminder is an easy habit to develop. For others, this incessant reminder rings of reprimands from parents during childhood or teenage years. While it can be very easy to remember to conserve electricity when paying for the power at home, often personnel allow lights to stay on in the workplace when spaces are unoccupied. In an effort to use technological advances to ease the financial burden and supplement the efforts of base personnel, the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron is installing occupancy sensors in a number of buildings on base.

Although the use of occupancy sensors or motion detectors for lighting applications is not new, advances in modern technology has made the practice more adaptable to a variety of spaces. By evaluating the benefits of these newer technologies, energy officials here have been able to pinpoint multiple buildings and spaces that were previously not considered for occupant detection lighting. Hallways, supply rooms and mechanical rooms have always been great locations for occupancy sensors due to the intermittent use and ease of detection. Modern occupancy sensors have better detection and less sensitivity to false detection than previously available, indicating occupancy sensors would now be suitable for conference rooms, offices and common spaces.

Occupancy sensors are "application-sensitive" devices, meaning most problems in the field are the result of misapplication. The new "dual technology" devices use a combination of passive infrared and ultrasonic detection. The PIR sensing technology sees the movement of a person's body heat across a space and is ideal for sensing personnel at the far end of hallways and requires fewer sensing devices to detect space occupancy. The ultrasonic detection uses ultrasonic pulses to detect movement. Ultrasonic detection is not unlike sonar, and loses reliability over great distances. By combining the two technologies into a single device and adding auto sensitivity to ensure the device does not need constant tweaking, these occupancy sensors will save energy in addition to the base populous doing their part. Nevertheless, if occupancy sensors are not installed in your area, "Remember to turn off the lights when you leave!"

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is committed to reducing energy consumption in compliance with Executive Order 13423 Energy and Water Reduction Requirements. In accordance with the order, the base must reduce energy intensity by three percent annually and/or 30 percent by 2015. Also, a two percent annual and/or 16 percent reduction in water use is required.

Please call 4th CES Operations Services at 722-5139 for assistance with maintenance questions.
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