FAQs
General
- What does Wireless Telematics offer?
- What does the WT Lighting Controller and Monitoring Service have that nobody else has?
- Does the WT Lighting Controller and Monitoring Service really work?
- How will this impact my staff?
- How will this impact my success?
- Why should I use your lighting controller and service?
LCMS vs. Timers and Photocells
- I don’t think I have a problem with my photocells or timers. Why should I change anything?
- Why should I replace my timers?
- With the WT Lighting Controller do I still need to reset it for daylight savings time and power outages?
- Why should I replace my photocells?
- Does the WT controller get fooled by cloudy days?
- Do I need to clean the controller like I have to clean my photocells?
- Do I need a WT controller for every timer or photocell?
More Benefits of the LCMS
- Does the WT controller automatically change for Daylight Savings Time?
- Security and safety are very important to me? How does this help?
- What happens to the WT Lighting Controller if the power goes out at the property?
- I hate having to find the key to the electrical room and spend time driving to the location just to change the timers. How does the WT controller save time and hassles?
- Do I need to change batteries?
Web-based
- If I want to change the lighting schedule do I have to go to the location of the Lighting Controller or can I do it from my home or office?
- If I forget how to change the lighting schedule can you help me?
- Does the website keep any documentation of how much my lights have been on?
Energy Efficiency
- Is your lighting control and monitoring service California Title 24 and Title 20 compliant?
- I am trying to get LEED qualified at my property. How many LEED points is the WT controller and service worth?
- Why should I use your service when I have already increased my energy efficiency by installing LEDs, T5Ho bulbs or something else?
- How does this save money on replacement light bulbs and ballasts?
Cost of LCMS
- How much is it going to cost up front?
- Is this service going to be expensive?
- Is the installation difficult?
- Is there a long-term commitment?
- If I decide to stop the service will I be penalized?
About Us
- How long has Wireless Telematics been around?
- Can you trust the people at Wireless Telematics both as people, and their ability to deliver what they promise?
- What is the warranty on the WT Lighting Controller?
- Where is it made?
- Is your Wireless Telematics “green technology” patented?
General:
What does Wireless Telematics offer?
We offer a lighting controller and monitoring service that replaces timers and photocells for your outdoor lights. This is not a fixture by fixture device. In many cases, one controller can control an entire parking lot. It saves money and energy, as well as saving your valuable time. There is no big upfront cost and no long-term commitment. You do not pay for the lighting controller. You just pay a small monthly fee. The main benefit of our lighting controller is that it accurately turns your lights on and off at the correct times. You do not waste money and electricity turning your lights on too early (as with timers and photocells) and you do not risk turning your lights on after it is dark as sometimes happens with other devices. The bottom line is that in most cases you will save more money in energy savings than the small monthly fee while benefitting in many other ways.
What does the WT Lighting Controller and Monitoring Service have that nobody else has?
- Automatic daily sunset/sunrise adjustments for your exact location.
- Immediate email and/or text notifications of power outages.
- Internet access to the lighting controller from anywhere you have the internet.
- Lifetime Warranty.
- Made in the USA.
Does the WT Lighting Controller and Monitoring Service really work?
Yes. It works great. Please see our Testimonials page and our case studies page to see what our customers say. If you ever have any questions we have a 24 hour toll free help line. We want you to be extremely happy with it so you tell your friends and colleagues and we get their business too! As an added benefit, our Lighting Controller has a lifetime warranty (unlike timers and photocells) and if you decide for any reason to stop using it you can do so without any penalty. In fact, we are so confident that you will love it that we do not require a multi-year contract.
How will this impact my staff?
First and foremost, it will save time. With our lighting controller your staff can set it and forget it. They will never need to reset timers for daylight savings time or the changing sunrise/sunset times again. They will never need to replace a dirty, degraded, or failed photocell again. Your people will spend less time scheduling electricians to come out and change lamps, ballasts, and photocells. Second, it will make your staff look good. The tenants and customers will be happy that the lights are turning on and off at the correct times. You will also be using “green” technology and helping the environment.
How will this impact my success?
The savings you will achieve from the WT lighting controller and monitoring service will help your bottom line. It will also help attract and retain customers and tenants. If you live in California, it will also help you improve your mandatory energy efficiency rating (and disclosure requirement) under AB 1103. Other states and cities also require energy benchmarking. Our lighting controller can help you improve your score.
Why should I use your lighting controller and service?
If you want to save money and energy right away with no big up-front costs, then you should use our lighting controller and monitoring service. If you want convenience (saving time and eliminating hassles), then this is for you. If you want to be energy efficient and green, then this is for you. If you want a simple, reliable solution to your lighting control issues, then this is for you.
LCMS vs. Timers and Photocells:
I don’t think I have a problem with my photocells or timers. Why should I change anything?
Even when timers and photocells are working correctly you are still wasting money and energy.
The Problems with Timers
The only day a timer is correct is the day you set it. It is wrong the very next day. For example, in Seattle in March the days are getting longer and the nights are getting shorter by about three and a half minutes every day. If you set the timer to the correct on/off times on March 1, it will be wrong by three and a half minutes on March 2. It will be wrong by 24.5 minutes after just one week. By April 1 your timer is now about an hour and 48 minutes off! If you reset your timers four times a year (once every three months) you are going to be wasting a lot of money and energy. Or worse yet, your lights may be turning on after it is dark creating a liability risk and unhappy customers.
The Wireless Telematics Lighting Controller and Monitoring Service follows the precise sunrise/sunset times for your exact location every day of the year thus saving you money and energy while making sure your lights are turning on and off at the correct times every day.
The Problems with Photocells
Photocells get dirty and can degrade over time thus losing accuracy and sensitivity and causing your lights to go on well before they should. Imagine leaving your car outside in the sun and rain and weather day after day. Your windshield would get filthy. That’s what happens with photocells. In addition, the actual photocell sensors can degrade over time until the photocell eventually fails. In our experience, photocells tend to last three to five years on average. When a photocell fails it may fail in the “on” or “off” position. If it fails in the “on” position it will keep your lights on 24 hours a day until somebody notices, tells you, and you are able to hire an electrician to replace it. If it fails in the “off” position it will not turn on the lights at night and your tenants, staff, and customers will risk a trip and fall (or worse) in a dark parking lot. Another problem with photocells is that they can be fooled on cloudy days and turn your lights on in the middle of the day when they shouldn’t be on.
The Wireless Telematics Lighting Controller and Monitoring Service does not get fooled on cloudy days, does not degrade over time, and does not turn your lights on until you want them to go on.
Why should I replace my timers?
You should replace your timers with a Wireless Telematics Lighting Controller because:
- You want to save money and energy immediately.
- You want your lights to go on and off at the correct times.
- You don’t want to deal with the hassle and expense of resetting timers to keep up with changing sunrise/sunset times.
- You don’t want to deal with the hassle and expense of resetting timers for daylight savings time changes.
- You want to set it and forget it.
- You want to be able to access the controller from anywhere you can connect to the internet.
- You want to be notified via email or text if the power goes out at your building.
- You want to use a controller that is made in the USA and has a lifetime warranty.
With the WT Lighting Controller do I still need to reset it for daylight savings time and power outages?
No. It does that for you automatically.
Why should I replace my photocells?
You should replace your photocells with a Wireless Telematics Lighting Controller because:
- You want to save money and energy immediately.
- You want your lights to go on and off at the correct times.
- You don’t want to deal with the hassle and expense of changing dirty, degraded, and failed photocells.
- You want to set it and forget it.
- You want to be able to access the controller from anywhere you can connect to the internet.
- You want to be notified via email or text if the power goes out at your building.
- You want to use a controller that is made in the USA and has a lifetime warranty.
Does the WT controller get fooled by cloudy days?
No.
Do I need to clean the controller like I have to clean my photocells?
No.
Do I need a WT controller for every timer or photocell?
It depends. If your timers or photocells are located in the same area we can often replace all of them with just one WT Lighting Controller (LCMS). See this customer’s experience where we replaced four timers with just one WT LCMS.
However, if the timers or photocells are located far from each other, then several WT LCMS may be needed. Each situation is different and your WT Professional can evaluate your needs for free. Call us toll free at 1-855-498-5267 for your free energy savings consultation.
More Benefits of the LCMS:
Does the WT controller automatically change for Daylight Savings Time?
Yes. One less hassle for you.
Security and safety are very important to me? How does this help?
Our LCMS is ideal for maintaining a safe and secure parking lot because it precisely tracks the sunrise/sunset locations for your location and adjusts the on/off times automatically every day. That means that you can make sure the lights go on at sunset and off at dawn. If you don’t have a WT LCMS yet, you run the risk of forgetting to reset your timers regularly which might leave your tenants, staff, and customers in the dark. Also, photocells do not last forever. If yours fails, will it leave the lights on 24/7 or will it leave everything dark? Why risk it?
What happens to the WT Lighting Controller if the power goes out at the property?
If the power goes out at the property the WT Lighting Controller (LCMS) will immediately send you (and your staff) an email or text letting you know the power is out. When the power is restored the WT LCMS will let you know that, too. The WT LCMS will also keep the correct time and schedule so you don’t need to reset anything – your lights will keep functioning properly. Unlike some timers, there is no need to change a backup battery every six months. The WT LCMS automatically knows the correct time and schedule with its patented technology.
I hate having to find the key to the electrical room and spend time driving to the location just to change the timers. How does the WT controller save time and hassles?
There are several ways the WT Lighting Controller saves time and hassles:
- The WT Lighting Controller changes the on/off lighting times automatically everyday. We will set it for you at installation and you can forget about it. It just works.
- If the power goes off you will know immediately because the WT Lighting Controller will send an email or text to you and/or your staff. It will also email or text you when the power goes back on. You do not need to reset the controller (like your old timer) because it always keeps the correct time and schedule.
- Daylight savings time changes are handled automatically by the WT Lighting Controller—no need to drive to the location to manually change the time.
- You (or anyone on your staff) can view or change your lighting schedule over the internet from your office, home, or smartphone. There is no need to drive to the location.
Do I need to change batteries?
No. Unlike some timers, our Lighting Controller uses Super Capacitors which never need changing and will keep the controller working even when there is no power.
Web-Based:
If I want to change the lighting schedule do I have to go to the location of the Lighting Controller or can I do it from my home or office?
You can change your lighting schedule from any internet-capable device (work computer, home computer, smart phone, ipad, tablet, etc.). You do not have to go to the location of the Lighting Controller.
If I forget how to change the lighting schedule can you help me?
Yes. We’ll help you anytime for free. Just give us a call at 1-855-498-5267.
Does the website keep any documentation of how much my lights have been on?
Yes. Your password protected webpage keeps a record of all of the runtimes for every controller you have. That means that you will have a record of the exact amount of time your lights were on for every day you have our service.
Energy Efficiency:
IS YOUR LIGHTING CONTROL AND MONITORING SERVICE CALIFORNIA TITLE 24 AND TITLE 20 COMPLIANT?
Yes! You can find us in the California database here: https://cacertappliances.energy.ca.gov/Pages/ApplianceSearch.aspx
I am trying to get LEED qualified at my property. How many LEED points is the WT controller and service worth?
It depends. We have been told that the WT LCMS can qualify for up to two LEED points. You should consult your LEED Professional for your situation. In addition, some states are requiring the installation of “astronomical time-switches” instead of photocells or time clocks (See CA Title 24, Section 130.2c). The good news is that our lighting controller meets and exceeds those requirements and qualifies as an “astronomical time-switch”.
Why should I use your service when I have already increased my energy efficiency by installing LEDs, T5Ho bulbs or something else?
If you have installed energy efficient lighting then congratulations to you! That is a great first step towards energy efficiency. The next step is to make sure your lights turn on and off at the correct times. If you are using timers or photocells you are still wasting energy. In addition, every minute you have the lights on reduces the overall life of the bulbs and ballasts (which are not cheap). A Wireless Telematics Lighting Controller is the perfect addition to maximize energy efficiency and prolong bulb and ballast life.
How does this save money on replacement light bulbs and ballasts?
Every minute you have the lights on reduces the overall life of the bulbs and ballasts (which are not cheap). Thus the less you have your lights on unnecessarily, the longer your bulbs and ballasts will last and the more money you will save.
Cost of LCMS:
How much is it going to cost up front?
There is no charge for the Lighting Controller itself—it is similar to a cable TV box that you use but do not own. The only cost to you is for the installation. If you have your own electrician then you can have him/her install it. If not, we can recommend an electrician who has experience installing our Lighting Controllers and can do the installation for you.
Is this service going to be expensive?
No. Our service fee is very reasonable—it is probably just a fraction of your cable TV bill. In fact, our goal is to save you more money in electricity each month than the cost of the service fee. See this example of savings at a commercial building parking lot with 19 parking lot lights and 9 building lights. There is also a one-time setup fee to program your individual controller to your specific lighting needs and location.
Is the installation difficult?
Not usually. Most installations are fairly straightforward and involve installing our Lighting Controller in place of your photocell(s) or timer(s). In most cases, an electrician can install it in less than two hours. This is not a fixture by fixture device. In many cases, one controller can control an entire parking lot.
Is there a long-term commitment?
No. This is a month-to-month service and you can stop it at anytime without penalty.
If I decide to stop the service will I be penalized?
No. Not at all. You can stop at any time without a penalty and any service fees you have paid in advance will be refunded to you. You will need to return the Lighting Controller to us, though.
About Us:
How long has Wireless Telematics been around?
Wireless Telematics has been in business since 2000. Our Lighting Controller has been installed all over the country in shopping malls, grocery-anchored centers, quick service restaurants, strip malls, baseball fields, tennis courts, apartment buildings, churches, etc. We have installations from Buffalo, NY to San Diego, CA and from Anchorage, AK to Tampa, FL and most states in between. We have lots of very happy customers!
Can you trust the people at Wireless Telematics both as people, and their ability to deliver what they promise?
Yes. Absolutely. We are honest, hard-working people with integrity. We are building our business on great relationships with happy customers. We have a track record of successful, satisfied customers who continue to refer business to us because they trust us personally and professionally.
What is the warranty on the WT Lighting Controller?
The Wireless Telematics Lighting Controller has a lifetime warranty.
Where is it made?
It is made in the USA by Americans.
Is your Wireless Telematics “green technology” patented?
Yes. US Patent #7847706.
