If you dream of walking into a room and having the lights turn on, or if you have nightmares about all the power wasted because lights in another room are constantly left on, replacing a standard wall switch with a new occupancy- or vacancy-sensing switch could be a good option.

Step 1: Consider all the options before choosing a switch. Occupancy-sensing switches turn lights on when motion is detected, and vacancy-sensing switches turn lights off when motion has not been detected for a predetermined amount of time. Both types of switches offer manual override options to turn lights on or off. Most sensing switches require an unobstructed view of the room, but different switches offer varying degrees of sensitivity.

An occupancy- or vacancy-sensing light switch can help you save energy in your home.

Step 2: Using the breaker or fuse in the service entrance panel box, turn off the power to the switch you want to replace. Remove the cover plate and loosen the mounting screws that hold the switch in place.

Step 3: Use a voltage sensor to confirm the power is off before loosening the terminal screws on the old switch. Make note of, or take a photo of, the wires attached to the old switch, before detaching the wires and removing the switch.

Step 4: Use wire strippers to expose 3/4 inch of bare copper at the tip of each wire. Make sure the ends of the wires are relatively straight before proceeding.

Step 5: Follow the manufacturer’s directions to determine the proper wiring sequence for the new switch. Twist the tip of each old wire to the tip of the corresponding wire located on the back of the sensor switch. Once the wires are twisted together, push a wire nut over the top of each pair of wires and twist the nut onto the wires. Separately wrap each wire pair and nut with electrical tape.

Step 6: Position the wires back in the electrical box, leaving room for the sensing switch. Push the new switch into the box, secure with mounting screws.

Step 7: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to set the switch features, such as sensitivity, time delay and indicator light function.

Step 8: Install the cover plate, turn the power on at the service entrance box and test the switch to make sure all of its features are working properly.

— Have a home improvement question for the Fix-It Chick? Email it to Linda Cottin at features@ljworld.com.