Investing in Smart Light Fixtures, is it Worth it?
Are you thinking about updating your home with smart lights? Some options are on the cheaper end and only offer certain features. Others come with automation and energy-saving technology that make it much easier to save money without compromising on comfort.
This guide walks you through the different types of intelligent lighting products and whether or not they’re worth the investment. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how they work and which types will work best in your home.
What Does It Mean to Be a Smart-Ready Light?
Smart lights are lighting products (fixtures, bulbs, or switches) that connect to your home’s smart home hub or Wi-Fi (usually both). By integrating with smart home apps, they make it simple to control the lighting from your smartphone or mobile device.
Not All Smart-Ready Lights Are One and the Same
There are many different types of smart-enabled lighting products available and it’s imperative to understand their different features. Some come with nothing more than basic on and off functionality that you control with a switch or mobile device. The ones with energy-saving features are the ones you want to install because they help reduce your monthly energy costs.
It’s also important to note that some need a constant Wi-Fi connection to work. Others can operate locally through a home network to stay functional. This means even if your internet goes out, you don’t have to worry about the lighting going out too.
How Much Do These Advanced Lights Cost?
App-controlled lighting products are available for a vast range of budgets. They start out under $10 and go up to several hundred dollars per fixture.
Benefits of Smart, Modern Lights
Now that you understand what smart lights are, let’s take a close look at why they’re worth the investment. This will make it easier for you to spend your money in confidence.
Reduced Energy Consumption
Smart-ready lighting products with LED and automation technologies reduce energy consumption by up to 75%. You can even sync them with custom schedules and motion sensors to achieve additional energy savings.
Longer-Lasting Light Bulbs
LED light bulbs last about 25 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs. This translates into fewer trips to the store to buy replacements. It also puts more money into your pocket because you’re saving on home maintenance costs.
Improved Home Security
Smart lights give you full control over your lighting whether you’re at home or 1,000 miles away on vacation. Just log into the app to turn the lights on and off at will. This works wonders for making a home look like it’s occupied when it’s not, which can help deter would-be burglars. A lot of homeowners pair their smart lights with smart cameras to achieve greater security over their property.
Customized Lighting Control
You can set customized schedules to match your routines for daily use. For example, if you normally wake up at 6 a.m., you can have your lights turn on automatically. We often suggest setting up schedules to turn lights on at sunset and then off at bedtime. This schedule reduces energy waste by making sure you don’t unnecessarily use them.
Quick and Simple Setup
Smart-ready lights are simple to set up. Most of them require nothing more than screwing in a smart bulb. Some fixtures, like smart switches or smart wall sconces, may be hardwired into your electrical system. It all depends on the product you want.
Types of Smart, High-Tech Lights
Now that you know why smart lights are worth the investment, let’s check out the different types. Most homes benefit from a combination of the following products to cover all of their lighting needs.
Mobile-Controlled Bulbs
Just screw the bulb into any standard socket and use your smartphone or computer to set up control over the light using the app. The bulbs are very affordable. Some are available with color-changing features and energy-saving options.
Smart Light Switches
We replace your existing wall switch with a smart switch plate. It gives you full control over all of the lights connected to that circuit.
Smart Dimmer Switches
This type of smart switch lets you adjust the brightness of the connected lights. However, many smart bulbs already come with dimmer-related features built in.
Smart Plug-In Lamps
There are two ways to update your home with smart lamps. First, you can buy a lamp that already has smart technology built into it. The other way is to plug your lamps into a smart adapter that adds smart control.
Smart Recessed Lights
These lights are installed directly into the ceiling, sitting flush with the surface. Their sleek appearance makes them great for spaces where you want to create a modern or clean ambiance. Their smart functionality lets you adjust brightness and scheduling according to your routine.
Smart LED Light Strips
Smart LED light strips take customization to the max. We can wrap them around cabinets, run them along staircases, or even put them down in baseboards to create a glowing accent. Placing them behind photo frames and television sets produces a unique backlit effect. Many come with connected apps that simplify using their color-changing modes and brightness settings.
Smart Landscape Lighting
A home’s landscape lighting matters more than most people think. It not only impacts what the exterior of a home looks like but also its safety. Placing smart-ready lights along walkways and syncing them with timers will ensure ample visibility at nighttime. You can use the connected app to adjust brightness on dark nights with no moonlight.
Smart Motion-Sensor Lights
These lights use sensors to detect motion and activate their on and off modes. You can even set them up to send you alerts when they detect movement. This feature is very helpful for security when you’re away from home. If someone sets off the sensor, you’ll know right away.
Are you ready to upgrade your home with new lighting that takes customization to the max? Don’t put up with any malarky; call Mister Sparky! We’re happy to explain all of the different reasons that smart lights are worth the investment.
