Fake TV light installation in Exeter
Professional fake tv light installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Fake TV light installed to simulate home occupancy. Positioned in your window where it's visible from the street, creates realistic TV glow that deters opportunistic burglars looking for empty properties.
Making Your House Look Occupied
Burglars target empty houses. Dark windows, no cars, no movement - prime target.
A fake TV light costs about £20, uses minimal electricity, and makes it look like someone's home watching telly. From the street, it's convincing.
💡 Won't stop determined criminals: But opportunistic burglars (most burglaries) will usually move on to the easier target next door with dark windows.
How It Works
The Device
- Small LED unit (about the size of a phone)
- Creates flickering multi-colored light
- Simulates real TV patterns
- Visible through windows from street
Operation
- Plugs into normal socket
- Timer sets when it comes on/off
- Or light sensor triggers at dusk
- Runs automatically once set up
Why It's Effective
| From A Burglar's Perspective | What They See |
|---|---|
| Your house (with fake TV) | Lights on, TV flickering, someone's home |
| Neighbor's house (dark) | No lights, clearly empty, easier target |
Result: They pick the empty house, not yours.
What I'll Do
🔧 Installation
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Position | Work out best window for visibility |
| Conceal | Hide device so only light shows, not unit itself |
| Set up | Program timer or sensor |
| Test | Check it looks convincing from street |
📦 You're Left With
- Automated home occupancy simulation
- Visible deterrent from street
- Peace of mind when out
- Cheap to run security layer
Positioning Matters
✅ Good Locations
- Front room facing street
- Upstairs bedroom visible from road
- Any room burglars would see when casing
❌ Poor Locations
- Back of house (not visible)
- Room with thick curtains (blocks light)
- Too high/low to look natural
Pricing Guide
| What's Involved | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Install fake TV light (you supply device) | 20 mins | £60 |
| Supply and install | 30 mins | £60 (plus device) |
| Multiple rooms | 20 mins per room | £60 total |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Device costs £15-£30 if I'm supplying it.
This Service Is Perfect If...
✅ Regular evenings out - house dark while you're away
✅ Holiday security - going away for weeks
✅ Living alone - extra security and peace of mind
✅ Ground floor - more vulnerable to break-ins
Why Choose Us for Fake TV light installation in Exeter?
Simulates TV glow when you're out
Positioned for maximum deterrent effect
Timer or sensor operated
Simple, cheap burglar deterrent
What to Expect
Step 1: Choose Position
Work out which window gives best visibility from where burglars would case your property. Usually front room, sometimes upstairs bedroom.
Step 2: Install & Conceal
Position the device so the light projects convincingly but the unit itself isn't obvious. Usually behind furniture or curtain, aimed at window.
Step 3: Set Timer
Program it to come on at realistic times - maybe 7pm to 11pm. Or use light sensor so it activates at dusk automatically.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to install one yourself? Here's how:
🔧 What you'll need
- Fake TV simulator device (£15-30 online)
- Socket near suitable window
- Something to prop/position it
- Timer plug (if device doesn't have built-in timer)
📐 Setting it up
- Choose window - visible from street, not too obvious
- Position device - behind furniture/curtain, aimed at window
- Test from outside - does it look like a TV?
- Adjust if needed - angle, brightness, position
- Set timer - realistic TV watching hours
- Conceal unit - only light should be visible, not device
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Positioning too high (doesn't look like a TV)
- Too obvious - device visible from outside
- Wrong times - coming on at 3am looks suspicious
- Behind thick curtains - blocks the light
💡 Pro trick: Combine with lamp timers in other rooms. Fake TV in front room, lamps coming on in hallway and upstairs. Creates pattern that looks like someone moving around the house. Much more convincing than just one room lit.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Going on holiday? Set up fake TV, lamp timers in various rooms, and ask neighbor to move your wheelie bin/collect mail. Makes house look occupied while you're away for weeks.
Power consumption: These use about 10-15 watts - roughly the same as a single LED bulb. Costs pennies per day to run, much cheaper than leaving real lights on everywhere.
Light sensors vs timers: Sensors adjust with seasons (earlier in winter, later in summer). Timers are consistent. Both work - depends if you want it seasonal or fixed schedule.
Real TV too: If you've got a real TV in another room on timer, even better. Layered security - fake TV visible from street, real TV elsewhere, lights on timers. Looks genuinely occupied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fake TV light?
It's a small LED device that simulates the flickering multi-colored glow of a TV through your windows. From outside it looks like someone's home watching telly. Burglars see it and usually move on to an easier target - they're looking for empty houses, not occupied ones.
Does it actually work as a deterrent?
Studies suggest yes - burglars actively avoid houses that look occupied. It's not as good as actually being home, but it's better than dark empty windows. Cheap, simple, and one extra layer of security. Won't stop a determined burglar but discourages opportunistic ones.
Where do you install it?
Usually in a front room window, positioned so the light is visible from the street but the device itself isn't obvious. Some people use them in multiple rooms. Upstairs bedroom works too - looks like someone's in bed watching TV.
Do you need to plug it in every time?
Most have timers or light sensors. Set it to come on at dusk and off at bedtime automatically. Just leave it plugged in and it does its thing. Uses minimal electricity - cheaper to run than leaving actual lights on.
Is it obvious it's fake?
From the street, no - they're designed to mimic real TV light patterns. Up close, yes you can tell. But burglars aren't coming up to your window to check - they're casing from the street. If it looks occupied, that's usually enough.
Fake TV light installation Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your fake tv light installation job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Fake TV light installation in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your fake tv light installation job in Exeter today.