Imagine the convenience of controlling the reading lamps at your bedside, as well as the ceiling cans and the pendant lamps on your dresser, with a single control.
Universal design technology is available now with the Maestro¨ sensor/dimmer from Lutron¨. The clear channel radio frequency of the remote only communicates with lighting fixtures or motorized window coverings, so there’s no interference from a TV remote or cell phone. The best feature of the Maestro¨ is that installation doesn’t require cutting into the drywall or replacing existing light fixtures. The control keypad (about 2″ by 4″) can be mounted anywhere on the wall, on a stand, on a horizontal surface, or just be left loose on a counter. Now the controls that turn lights on and off, adjust dimmers and set pre-set lighting scenarios can be conveniently placed for easy accessibility for children or for wheelchair-bound persons.
Since there isn’t any hard wiring, the control panel can be relocated with ease. Wireless controls can communicate with all the lights in the house with a single keypad. Who cares if the porch light is on when you get into bed? Just turn it off using the keypad on your nightstand.
Precisely controlling the light levels in a room provides illumination that is appropriate to the task while conserving energy. The universal design of the control keypad requires a single tap to illuminate a lamp. A double tap turns up the light to maximum brightness; and another single tap turns the light off.
If you are frustrated with searching for a wall switch in a dark room, you can install a motion sensor that illuminates the room to the appropriate light level gradually when someone enters the room. The same sensor will turn off the lights at a pre-set time interval after the room is vacated. This will eliminate tripping over furniture and rugs.
Another luxurious feature of a wireless control is the use of the keypad to raise and lower motorized shades to adjust the natural light level in the room. One motor can pull up to six shades, and existing window coverings can be retro fitted to incorporate this feature. One keypad can speak to as many as nine devices.
Say, “Goodbye” to dangling drapery cords and to lamps left turned on all night!
— Jean Cary, Jean Cary Interiors