Home Automation Product Review: First Alert PIR725 Motion Sensing Light Socket

First Alert PIR725 

Motion Sensing Light Socket

This is one of the first light switch or bulb products I purchased to help automate my home's lighting. Like my previous review of the Ivation Night Light, I would recommend you set up a home automation system for around $300 instead of buying this product. It works well enough and allows you to use cheap light bulbs instead of the expensive home automation bulbs, but home automation bulbs last forever and if you move you could just replace them with cheap bulbs.

The First Alert Motion Sensing Light Socket just screws into your light socket, the same way you screw in a bulb. Before you put the socket in, I prefer to screw the bulb into First Alert but the choice is yours. Either way make sure you turn the light switch off prior to screwing in your bulb or First Alert Motion Sensor.

The PIR725 and most First Alert products are not Z-wave or Zigbee compatible. So if you have a home automation system and purchase this product, you will not be able to control your lights with your remotes, phone, or computer. This also means if you have a home automation system you will not be able to see when your lights are on or track electricity usage. The upside of this product is that it stands alone and is cheaper than an automation system. Anytime you walk past it your lights will turn on, so it uses a small amount of electricity at all times because the light switch is always on. I have two of these sensors. They cost about $39.99 + shipping (if you are not an Amazon Prime member). I would happily sell the first person to comment on this blog post my two sensors for $70 with free shipping. You can also contact me on Twitter @DesaraeV.

Please note: At the time of this review, First Alert has never sent me free products, discounts, or money to write a review. I do receive a few pennies anytime you click on one of my pictures or links and purchase products on Amazon, but if you like my blog consider it a small contribution to help me continue my writing habits. If you are interested in purchases this product on Amazon, Click here. 

Home Automation Product Review: Ivation 6 LED Automatic Motion-sensing Night Light

Ivation 6 LED Automatic Motion-sensing Night Light  

Battery Powered Hallway Light with a Built in Motion and Light Sensor and adjustable light timer

I bought this light when I first bought my house, sometime in early 2014. At the time, I wanted a way to light up the basement when I did laundry or got home from work. The light switch for my basement is not directly next to the door and there are multiple lights and switches. I hate basements and poor lighting so this was kind of a double whammy for me.

Before I knew about home automation, I discovered the Ivation 6. It works well enough and the batteries in it are still going strong but it works like a night light and is not incredibly bright. The motion sensors work very very well considering how small the product is and how far away I was when needing it to sense me. I'm writing this review nearly a year after I purchased the product (guessing $15?), so I do not remember how much it originally cost me but I'd happily send someone mine for $3+ shipping.

My recommendation is to pay the $300 to setup a DIY home automation system. Use Philips Hues, Levitron, or Wink to automate all your lights. If you need a stand alone bathroom light or kids room night light, this is probably great for that. If you want to buy this on Amazon, click here. 

Please note, I was not paid to write this review. Ivation is not one of my blog sponsors. However, the links to Amazon do give me a few pennies, but only if you make a purchase.

Review: Home Automation Wish List

Smart Home Automation

Overview
Some of the following wish list items already exist, in one form or another. Most items on this wish list currently require some additional level of work to integrate into home automation or do not exist in the United States and/or may not easily purchased from a trusted source like SmartThings, Home Depot, or Amazon. For items that do not exist, a use case has been provided.

This list & the case study is not complete, more updates will be made later. Just got tired of writing. Stay tuned.

Download or View Google Doc with Home Automation Case Study

Wish List


1. Outdoor Home Automation Products

• Solar Powered
• Outdoor lights
• Watering system for garden
• Parrot integration
• Fence monitoring (motion, laser)
• Driveway monitoring (motion, underground car detection)

JOURNAL (DIARY) ENTRY: Short Days and Cold Nights

Snow

It is winter and the beginning of 2015. Who knows how long this blog will last or if anyone will read my thoughts and posts. So I will treat this as my own memory book for as long as it lasts. 

My life over the last three years has been fairly solitary. In the process of moving back to the familiarity of Iowa, I've moved myself into old habits, tasks, and ideals. Part of me always missing moving, living in a new place, discovery new ideals and culture. Lately I have not taken the time to contemplate much more than my hatred of cold weather. I constantly think of warmer places, but at the same time dread the idea of moving away from my home, familiar comforts, and the people or places I've grown accustom to over the years. 

Home Sweet Home

Iowa has always in its own way been home. My family no longer lives here. My heart is likely in Europe or a book. The truth is, I'm scared to move again. I like my job. I'm ok with my home. I like the people in Iowa but I'm bored.