date-created: '2010-11-24'
date-updated: '2025-11-27'
manifest-author:
    name: Appropedia
    email: admin@appropedia.org
title: 'ECM - Vending machine motion sensors'
description: "Download ECM now! Vending machines are an everpresent novelty in many establishments and a simple example of how energy saving techniques can be applied with significant impact to energy costs and annual CO2 output. Here we explore the economic and environmental viability of using a motion sensor unit to control the operation of a vending machine such that it remains on stand-by mode while not in use. When motion is sensed (that is, a potential customer approaches the vending machine), the controller turns on the machine's light and compressor to be ready for a sale. The lights and compressor (optional) are then then turned off after a predefined period of inactivity, typically 15 minutes."
intended-use: 'saving energy'
keywords:
    - 'energy saving'
    - 'Energy conservation measures'
    - 'Energy audit'
    - 'Energy efficiency'
    - Finance
    - 'vending machine'
    - 'motion sensors'
    - Engineering
project-link: 'https://www.appropedia.org/ECM_-_Vending_machine_motion_sensors'
contact:
    name: 'User:M. Urquhart'
    social:
        platform: Appropedia
        user-handle: 'User:M. Urquhart'
version: 27
development-stage: Verified
made: false
variant-of:
    title: 'Green IT'
    web: 'https://www.appropedia.org/Green_IT'
license:
    documentation: CC-BY-SA-3.0
licensor:
    name: 'User:M. Urquhart'
    affliation: 'Category:Queens University, Kingston'
    contact: 'https://www.appropedia.org/User:M._Urquhart'
documentation-home: 'https://www.appropedia.org/ECM_-_Vending_machine_motion_sensors'
documentation-language: en