The reader's cover is designed to retain a user's proximity card. Unlike other readers the Energy saving reader continually checks for the presence of a valid card. When a card is placed in the reader, its presence toggles a relay that allows connected equipment to be switched on. When the card is removed, the relay toggles back and turns the equipment off.

"Increasing energy costs mean all businesses are looking for ways of reducing their bills. It's easy to forget to turn lights and air-conditioning off in busy work environments. The Energy saving reader ensures that employees don't leave equipment on" says Adam Stroud sales and marketing director, Paxton Access "Energy saving is guaranteed because personnel need their cards to unlock doors around an access controlled site. When they take their cards for this purpose, lights and air-conditioning shut down automatically"

Companies that already have a Net2 access control systems in place, will benefit from introducing the reader to all office, meeting, function and conferencing facilities where lights and air conditioning contribute to expensive energy bills. Facilities managers considering an access control system from Paxton Access will increase security, and have the added benefit of controlling energy use too.

The energy saving reader can also be used to help ensure strict health and safety standards. The reader can be fitted to hazardous machinery to ensure that only trained operatives with authorised proximity cards can use them.