Is Smart Lighting a Smart Choice for You?
A professional offers advice on the latest in smart lighting for your home
Smart lighting promises a new and improved way to light your home. Research has shown that smart lights can improve your sleep, boost your mood and even help you heal faster. But how well do these lighting systems actually work? And which ones are best for you?
There are four basic types of smart lighting: smart switches, smart bulbs, assisted systems and integrated systems. Read on to discover the pros and cons of each type of smart lighting and how they might be used to make your life at home easier.
There are four basic types of smart lighting: smart switches, smart bulbs, assisted systems and integrated systems. Read on to discover the pros and cons of each type of smart lighting and how they might be used to make your life at home easier.
Some smart switches, like Lutron Caseta, talk to each other and continue to function even if the internet goes out. They work just like regular switches too, which makes it easy for guests to control. Installing these smart switches is a great way to get started and to add the power of scene control to your home.
2. Smart Bulbs
Philips Hue, Ketra, LIFX and others offer smart bulbs that replace your existing standard bulbs in many fixture types. Each bulb has a tiny transmitter, receiver and processor and will typically connect to the internet via your Wi-Fi router. Many smart bulbs offer enhanced features like full color changing and dimming.
Philips Hue, Ketra, LIFX and others offer smart bulbs that replace your existing standard bulbs in many fixture types. Each bulb has a tiny transmitter, receiver and processor and will typically connect to the internet via your Wi-Fi router. Many smart bulbs offer enhanced features like full color changing and dimming.
Smart bulbs may be the least expensive option to purchase, but conversely they can create the most frustration. They can be confusing to set up and maintain and are therefore best for people who are comfortable with technology. Manufacturers are making improvements in this area daily, so I suspect it won’t be long before they are more reliable and easier to use.
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3. Assisted Systems
Amazon Alexa seems to be just about everywhere, including in the bathroom mirror. Google Home, Apple HomeKit and new players like Brilliant serve as the central brain of many smart lighting applications. These digital assistants, or hubs, usually “speak” multiple wireless control languages and can manage devices from multiple manufacturers, even with simple voice commands.
Amazon Alexa seems to be just about everywhere, including in the bathroom mirror. Google Home, Apple HomeKit and new players like Brilliant serve as the central brain of many smart lighting applications. These digital assistants, or hubs, usually “speak” multiple wireless control languages and can manage devices from multiple manufacturers, even with simple voice commands.
Voice commands are increasingly familiar as we grow accustomed to digital assistants like Siri and Alexa on our phones. Turning on the lights by voice can be useful for anyone with hands full of laundry or a couple of straining dogs — or for those who are older or less mobile.
Assisted systems are gaining traction in the marketplace, but be careful to read the fine print before you go all-in. Most hubs will speak to a number of devices but not all of those available, and you may find that your smart bulbs, smart coffee maker or thermostat do not fully function with your hub. One rule of thumb will help: The fewer manufacturers you use, the easier to set up and maintain.
4. Integrated Systems
Smart lighting is not a new phenomenon: Controls have been available for decades from Lutron, Crestron, Control4 and others. These robust options are often centralized, with a “brain” and electrical panels, and they can be more reliable than wireless options.
Smart lighting is not a new phenomenon: Controls have been available for decades from Lutron, Crestron, Control4 and others. These robust options are often centralized, with a “brain” and electrical panels, and they can be more reliable than wireless options.
Today’s integrated systems talk to Alexa and other digital assistants, connect to thermostats, shades and motion detectors and have wireless options for retrofitting into existing homes. Look for a professional licensed by the manufacturer to furnish and install the system; these are not do-it-yourself projects.
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Switches and dimmers with wireless connections can replace existing switches to make your lighting smart without a major remodel. A qualified licensed electrician should do the work, but the swap is usually straightforward and can work with just about any light fixture. The addition of a smartphone or master keypad makes setting your home lighting scene easy.
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