There are no operating costs in my apartment, ie no light switches. I got a unit a few months ago and it worked so well in my bedroom that I bought this one. I have almost all the lights on now. I don't have to look for the bedside lamp switch at night when I need to get up, I just have the remote control on the bedside table. I take it when I have to go to the kitchen so the light is on when I enter the room and I don't have to turn the light off until I get back to the bedroom. Installation is easy: put the batteries in the remote, plug in the outlets, take the time to figure out which switch goes with which lamp, and you're good to go. Maximum 15 minutes. LOVE IT.