A Guide to Home Lighting Automation
The future of home lighting systems
Home Automation & Smart Lighting
Home automation system has revolutionized the way we run our lives today. The conventional way of life is quickly getting displaced by smart devices and appliances. How we lock our doors, open and close our window shades, operate our thermostats, switch lights on and off, set alarms, etc. bears little to no resemblance with how things were done even a few years back. There is a central hub that connects all smart devices through Wi-Fi. These devices can be controlled through an app on your tablet or smartphone or be voice-controlled through home assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Homekit. Just as smartphones have become a part of our everyday lives over the past 10 years, smart homes will soon be just another part of normal life.
Smart lighting is part of a home automation system. It has completely transformed how we control our home lighting system. This allows you to control, switch on and switch off and adjust the brightness of the lights without your physical presence.
How does Smart Lighting Work?
Smart lighting uses 3 kinds of mechanisms to operate.
Plug-in
Plug-in refers to the adapters that help to convert your ordinary lights into automated smart lights. These are great for using in one or two rooms at the same time.
Wire-in
This mechanism is a little more complicated but it lets you control the lights of the entire house.
Bulbs
These are smart bulbs which you can control individually, without the help of a switch, through an app or a voice assistant.
Benefits of Smart Lighting
Hands-free
The biggest draw of smart lighting is the convenience factor. Controlling and adjusting these lights are hassle-free and painless. Irrespective of where you are, near or far, a click of an app can perform the function for you. You no longer need to come back to a dark home. There may be elderly people in the house who might bump into something or even worse fall while making their way to the bathroom in the dark. There are motion sensors which provide hands-free illumination in kitchens and bathrooms in the middle of the night. If there is no one in the bathroom or pantry the lights will switch off by themselves thanks to the brilliant sensors.
Energy-Saving
Smart lighting helps to cut down energy bills significantly, by allowing you to determine when to turn on and turn off lights. It might happen that you have left home and realize that you may have kept lights turned on at home. No worries at all. You can check remotely on your app no matter where you are.
Keeping Home Safe
Smart lighting is a great way to keep your homes secure. A dark home can attract the attention of burglars. If you can control lights from far away, switch on the lights during the evening, even if you are not at home, it gives the idea of your home not being empty. This helps to ward off unwanted elements from your home premises.
Voice-Controlled Operations
Another added advantage of these smart lights is that these can be synced to home assistants like Alexa and Google Home. You do not even need to access the apps when you are at home. You have your hands full; just ask your kitchen lights to switch on and bingo! They are on! You can even adjust the mood by dimming the lights by asking Alexa to lower the lights by 50%.
One-button Control
A single press of a button allows you to control the lights of the entire house. You need not run from room to room checking whether lights have been switched off before leaving the house. Indeed, there is a single button for all your devices like lights, thermostats, locks, TV, etc. It is modern technology at its best.
Smart lights can be controlled by any of the following:
Touch: Smart lights can be controlled by touch using a touchpad or some other control panel.
Motions: These use sensors which detect motion when someone enters the room.
Remote: Use remote control to switch on and switch off without moving.
Smartphone: Lights can be controlled through app downloaded on your smartphone.
Computer: This controls lights using a plug-in interface, Wi-Fi or USB.
Types of Smart Lights
There are lots of smart lighting options to choose from. There are available in different brightness level and shades. There are some that change colors at intervals and flash in patterns. There are some that come with control over ceiling fans as well. Sounds fascinating! There are party lights too when you are having a party at home and entertaining guests. They set the mood for the occasion. There are noise-controlled lights as well which respond to clapping sounds or some specific words.
Smart Lighting Options Available Now
If you are looking to purchase automated smart lights for your homes, it is important to be informed about the available choices in the market and what are the best ones in different categories.
Best Smart Bulb Kit
The Philips Hue White Ambiance Smart Light Bulb Starter Kit is undoubtedly the best. Though priced over $100, they are great. They come with four A19 LED Smart bulbs ranging from warm white to cool daylight. The kit comes with Philips Hue Bridge which you can use to link 50 bulbs. The kit is compatible with iOS and Android and can be paired with all major hubs like Amazon, Google and Apple.
Best Budget Smart Bulb Kit
Sengled’s Element Classic A19 Kit is a budget-friendly smart lighting kit that comes with two bulbs, a hub and an Ethernet cable. These are super-efficient bulbs that will last you over 25,000 hours. The app is compatible with iOS and Android. You can sync them with Amazon Echo or Google Home for a hands-free experience. It is perfect for newcomers. It starts from $35 which is really affordable.
Best Starter Bulb
Sengled’s Wi-Fi smart bulb can connect to your 2.4GHz network without a hub. All you need to do is install the bulb, download the app and follow the steps. Your smart bulb is ready for use. These can be controlled through home assistants as well. They are priced at around $15.
Best Budget Bulb
The Wyze bulb is a great choice and is extremely affordable as well. Priced at a mere $10, the bulb can be controlled using Alexa or Google home assistants. You can dim the lights and control how warm or cool the light is which it emits.
Best Color-Changing Smart Bulb
The FluxSmart Wi-Fi LED Light Bulb comes with 16 million different colors. You can have a color for every mood. Each bulb can last up to 20,000 hours with a 2-year warranty. It is compatible with all iOS and Android devices and can be controlled using Alexa, Google assistants and IFTTT. You can even sync your music to your smart bulb. These are priced around $36.
Best On-the-Go Smart Bulb
If you need a portable light, and you want to carry your light wherever you go, Philips Hue Go is the one for you. You can plug it into a power outlet for a light show on your wall or use it is a centerpiece by unplugging it. When fully charged, the bulbs can last for 2–3 hours. The bulb works with Alexa, Google and Apple home assistants. These bulbs start from $68.
Best Dimmable Smart Bulb
Kasa’s Smart Wi-Fi LED Light Bulb emits dimmable soft white lights great for every occasion. It is extremely convenient and compatible. It can be controlled remotely. A secure Wi-Fi connection is all you need for these bulbs to operate. No hub is needed. They are quite affordable, priced at $23.
Best Mini Smart Bulb
The Lifx Mini White is great for your nightstands or home office starting from $23. They can be controlled using the brand’s cloud technology. They are compatible with all operating systems and home assistants.
Best Bulb for Better Sleep
For a good night’s sleep, you need warm soft light. Soraa Healthy light bulbs are equipped with “Zero Blue” technology. This light is believed to make you sleep better. They start from $40.
Home lighting automation is the future of home lighting systems. Easy installation, remote control, hands-free operation, and scheduled switching on and off are the big plus points for smart lights.
