Wall switches are coming out of the dark ages. Once neutral-colored wallplates with an ordinary toggle to flip on and off, they are being brightened up with decorative wallplates and enhanced by high technology.
“Wallplates are the last thing that people tend to think about,” says Anthony DeRosa, marketing communications manager for AmerTac. “They’ll spend all kinds of money to tear down walls and build them up again and do faux painting, and then they’ll put up a plain, almond-colored wallplate.”
“Plain” isn’t the name of the game anymore, however, when it comes to wallplates. New ones now include models in solid brass, in unfinished wood that can be stained to match the decor of the room, and in decorative motifs.
“Wallplates are no longer just something functional to hide the wires,” says DeRosa, “they can make a statement, too.”
Not only do wallplates now offer many aesthetic possibilities, they have also taken on new jobs. Some have hooks to keep keys handy, and others boast memo pads and pens so you don’t have to scrounge around for them when you need to leave a message.
“They address the faster-paced lifestyle of dual-income families with kids,” says DeRosa, “but also the lives of busy retired people.”
But to take the concept one step further, some wall switches have now gone high-tech. Some incorporate a miniature device for recording a short message that is replayed at the push of a button or when the lights are turned on or off. Another accepts voice commands that will operate the lights.
“Technology has made a lot of breakthroughs in the past few years so that we can make products that are smaller and cheaper,” explains Rick Matulich, chief operations officer of VOS Systems, which has introduced a product that makes it possible to adjust lights with the sound of a command from the human voice. “People are looking for ways to simplify their lives and to bring new technology into them, if it doesn’t take a year to learn how to operate it.
“We also have a large interest from the disabled because (the new technology) gives a little bit of freedom to those who can’t even turn on a light switch or have trouble moving around.”
These high-tech devices are only previews of coming attractions, according to Kent B. Moore, president of Tek-Switch. “We feel that in the future, houses will become more sophisticated and that switches will be controlled by computers on a network inside the house.”
A variety of new products that enhance light switches are described below, including suggested retail prices. Contact the listed manufacturers for help in finding a retailer in your area that carries a specific item.
– Colorful choices. AmerTac has a wide spectrum of products to enhance the looks and the practicality of wallplates. They include the Montage series of solid-brass plates in a variety of styles ranging from Mission to some that are more ornate, and the metal, scratch-resistant Deco Style plates with a choice of 20 hearth-and-home and gardening scenes, such as a cat by a fireplace, a quilt pattern and sunflowers. For sheer whimsy, there is the oversize Big Switch, which comes in red, blue, green, yellow or white. AmerTac also offers a line called The Organizers, which includes a wallplate with hooks to hang keys, another with a hook to hang up a hair dryer, one with a place to hold a pen and Post-It Notes and another that incorporates a small recording device to leave voice messages and play them back. Price: $12.99 to $14.99 for the Montage series, $5.99 for the Deco Style, $7.99 for the Big Switch, $5.99 each for the Keyhook and Hair Dryer Hook Wall Plates and the Memoplate, $14.99 for the Digital Message Center. AmerTac, American Tack & Hardware Co., 25 Robert Pitt Dr., Monsey, NY 10952; call 914-352-2400.
– Phone home. A Digital Messaging Switch Plate may sound intimidating, but when it’s called Parrot, it seems much more friendly. And the name describes it well. It is a switch plate that screws on in place of any existing plate so that the original toggle fits through. The plate incorporates a small microphone to record messages up to 20 seconds long when a small button is pushed. It also includes an audio speaker that plays back the message each time the light switch is turned on or off. It’s a great way to leave messages to remind family members about daily activities or tell them a great joke. But a message can also be locked in so that it will always be the same, whether it’s to remind a forgetful person to take their medicine or it’s just an affectionate greeting. Price: $24.99 for the single toggle style, $29.99 for the double. Messaging Products, P.O. Box 60, Middleburg, VA 20118; call 888-467-2776.
– Open sesame. All it takes is the sound of a voice pronouncing one word to turn on lights with IntelaVoice. This unit, which is about the size of a computer mouse, plugs into any outlet. A lamp is then plugged into it. When IntelaVoice hears the command “lights,” it turns on the lamp. This allows you to turn on a light when you come home to a dark house and your arms are full of packages or as you enter a dark hallway or basement. If a light is on, it will turn off when it hears the word “lights.” In addition, IntelaVoice can be programmed to respond to several other commands, including “IntelaSwitch on” and “IntelaSwitch off.” IntelaVoice also can be used to operate small appliances such as radios or fans. It can be particularly useful for people who are physically challenged, including those who just have a bit of trouble moving around the house easily or reaching and grasping switches. An external microphone called LiteMic is available in case IntelaVoice is placed in a place where the voice cannot be heard, such as behind a couch or a desk. Price: $49.95 for IntelaVoice, $14.95 for LiteMic. VOS Systems LLC, 13117 Quate Ct., Suite A, Poway, CA 92064; call 800-596-0061.
– Bright ideas. Tek-Switch has every room in the house covered, with products that offer a variety of possibilities for controlling lights. For the laundry and utility room, there is a Tek-Switch for people who can’t reach for the toggle because they have their hands full. It can automatically turn a light off after it has been on for eight minutes. The on/off switch and the dimmer switch are great for the living room, dining room or the bedroom. Either one lets you adjust the lights with just a wave of the hand. A switch with a remote control works just like the one for the TV so that you can adjust lights from a distance. The Good Night Tek-Switch is great for children’s bedtime. You can leave the light on when you leave the room, so there won’t be any complaints about being afraid of the dark, and then the light dims gradually over a 20-minute period as the child doses off. The Tek-Switches are particularly useful for people who have trouble grasping a toggle, perhaps because of arthritis, or because they have trouble getting around. Price: $30 each. Accura Instruments Inc., P.O. Box 58137, Salt Lake City, UT 84158-0137; call 801-296-8717.
– Night light. Navaglo serves two purposes: not only is it a wallplate, but it is also a night light as well. The area surrounding the light switch automatically starts to glow with a soft green light that can be seen up to 8 feet away when the room grows dark. It makes getting up at night less hazardous and makes it easier to find the switch to turn on the lights if necessary. Navaglo is easily installed because it simply replaces the existing plate without any need for work with the wiring. It comes in two styles–one for use with a decorator rocker switch and another one for the standard toggle switch in white or ivory. According to the manufacturer, the cost of electricity to operate the Navaglo is less than 2 cents a year. Price: $10 for either style. L K Manufacturing Corp., P.O. Box 167, Huntington Station, NY 11746. Call 516-420-8777.
