Smart lighting help!

5 years ago

We are renovating a Mid Century Modern Ranch style home. When we purchased it, it had multiple water leaks, termites, etc. It is almost a complete gut job. This is NOT a home for us to live in. I do not know if this will be a high-end rental or we will sell it.

We are doing a complete rewire. I am doing CCT LED Recessed lighting in most areas. What is the best way to control the dimming and color temp in each area?

Let's take the bedrooms as an example: There will be 4 recessed lights with a fan in the center. Ideally, I would love them to all work together where dimming and color-Temp change can be controlled from the main light switch. I can not seem to find this as an option? I would prefer to NOT have a remote, as if this turns into a rental house, the remotes will likely be lost, etc.

For the Toe Kick lighting in the bathroom (LED strip lights), they have an attached control that will fit under the sink. And, I can just use the main switch by the door to turn them on/off. Something like this would be perfect for other rooms and lights! Hide a temp-control/dimmer in a closet, and just use the main switch for on-off.

As a last resort, an app to control the Smart lighting is an option, but there are SO many choices that my head is spinning! I have read pluses/minuses for so many that I have no idea which to choose. Please do not tell me to consult my electrician. This house is in a very rural area. Design, technology, etc is all behind by 10-20 years.

Thank you in advance for your insight! I have been researching this on/off for weeks, and it is time for me to get some outside help.

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Comments (3)

mtvhike
5 years ago
Why are you doing this specialty control system in a house you are not going to live in. These are personal choices which won't help the resale value, and probably won't affect the rent either.
wdccruise
5 years ago
"I am doing CCT LED Recessed lighting in most areas."

The color temperature of such lights (example Commercial Electric NS01cA09ER2-259) cannot be controlled via a wall switch. The switch that adjusts the color temperature is on the light itself. You can only turn the lights on and off and dim them from a wall switch.

"There will be 4 recessed lights with a fan in the center. Ideally, I would love them to all work together where dimming and color-Temp change can be controlled from the main light switch."
1. Forget the color-temp change as described above.
2. Buy a fan without a light that uses a wall control to turn it on and off and adjust the speed.
3. If you have a two-gang wall box, buy a dimmer switch for the lights and a fan switch for the fan.
4. If you have a one-gang wall box, buy a combination dimmer/fan switch.
"For the Toe Kick lighting in the bathroom (LED strip lights), they have an attached control that will fit under the sink."

Forget this. Just use a wall switch or dimmer switch to turn the bathroom lights on and off, and a fan switch to turn the fan on, if any.
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formulaross20
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Ditto cruise. I go with 3000 Kelvin LED lighting for living areas, it is close enough to the old incandescent bulbs (2700K) that the light feels 'normal', 4000K LEDs can be used in laundry, pantry, workshops etc. but doesn't have to be. Try to get >90 CRI (Color Rendering Index) on the LEDs, especially in bathroom/makeup/dressing areas.