I am looking for silent or quiet light switches, any suggestions?

Hi, I am looking for quiet(er) or completely silent light switches to replace our noisy Leviton type wide light switches.

I went to Home Depot, there is this:
Leviton Decora 15-Amp Single Pole AC Quiet Switch - White (10-Pack)-M32-05601-2WM - The Home Depot

But when I pressed it (can't open the pack) it doesn't sound very quiet.
It's really bothering us and I hope someone can help me.

Some of the switches are in bathrooms so when the light is switched it echoes in our bathroom and wakes up the baby! Crazy, I know. Also our walls are hallow, thanks to a contractor who didn't properly insulate, so when someone switches a light on in other room, I can hear it in my bedroom like someone snapped a twig in my ear.

Please help.

 

How about an interior motion detector light?

 

I don't know if their still sold but...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5Gs1FSVjcs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5Gs1FSVjcs

 

Hi fellow New Yorker, I thought about it, but some of the switches are dual, does motion detector light work? I think it's best for bathroom (a little pricey but I guess it will do) but another concern is motion detection sensing nobody is there with shower curtain closed.

For bedroom, I think it might also work at least for his room, in fact I am thinking of getting a slider for his room which should help cut down the noise but I have like 12 switches to replace and I wanted to keep everything uniform at home. In europe they have these: http://cdn1.n11.com.tr/a1/1024/15/04...4469385224.jpg
Such a great switch, they are totally silent because there is no resist or clickly mechanism. They might be similar to what Ray posted above, but I don't think they sell mercury switches anymore.

 

Instead of looking in Home Depot, try an electrical supply house. The selection will be better.

 

Thanks Ray,
That switch looks industrial! Thanks for sharing but I don't think they sell them anymore.
I am OK with motion sensing as long as it has a switch or override, don't want wife having to stick her arm and wave in the middle of shower to turn the lights on.

I want to do it this weekend, hopefully Lowes or HD carries some usable ones, hopefully not $30 a pop.


Pulpo,
Any suggetions around NY/Queens/Long Island area?

 

Or if you want to go outside the box a solid state relay and a low voltage push button switch.

 

Interior walls not not insulated.

Mercury has probably been eliminated from most products.

I have never heard a switch that loud for it to echo. Even the 50 cent switches are quiet.

 

That's a wide area. Long Island City - Grant Supplies 39-15 21st 718 729 2373. In Nassau County - Michael's Electrical Supply 456 Merrick Road, Lynbrook 516 593 7200

 

Thank you Pulpo!
Both of these are nearby especially the LIC one, will call and check if they have anything different, if not I'll have to go with a motion sensing and see how well it works in bathroom.



ray2047, thank you but I wouldn't know where to start so I'll pass, although idea of push button is very cool.

Are there any other type of common light switches?
Found these, but these look like they will require a different frame or mounting points and not a straight replacement;
Shop Legrand 15-Amp adorne Paddle Magnesium 3-Way Square Light Switch at Lowes.com

 

The switches I got at Menard's are not very noisy. I don't hear them when I turn lights on and off.

If you buy the higher rated switches, they snap.

 

I ended up getting sliding dimmers for the bathroom and my son's room.
For bathroom I got these:

Leviton SureSlide 600-Watt Dimmer - White-R70-06631-1LW - The Home Depot

For my son's room I got one of this:
Leviton Decora SureSlide Universal 150W LED/CFL Incandescent Slide-To-Off Dimmer – White-R12-06672-1LW - The Home Depot

For the living room and hallway, I bought this in white with white plate which is actually very quiet and makes about same noise as Levitons when they snap into place at the bottom position totally cutting power:
Shop Legrand 15-Amp adorne Whisper Magnesium 3-Way Square Light Switch at Lowes.com

These Legrand's are pricey, they are actually sold separately not as a whole, you have to get the switch and wall plate separately.

Shop Legrand Adorne 1-Gang Gloss White Square Plastic Wall Plate at Lowes.com

But overall they really look and sound great, but then I am thinking about returning this and just getting the slider for the hallway too.. I just thought it will be a mismatch unless I replace living room lights as well which is dual gong plate plus two switches. Or maybe I'll just leave them like that for now. I didn't see any contractor packs or discount packages like set of 6 or anything.

Thanks for all the help everyone.
PS: Legrand also has touch switches or wave/motion switches, they make a lot of noise when they snap internally. I was so excited when I saw them online, but when I tried them there, I realized they actually have an internal clicker/switches with similar noise. I was hoping they would be electronic dimmer type but I guess it costs more money to do that (still not available).