For decades, most homeowners relied on inexpensive incandescent bulbs to light their homes. In recent years, LED lighting has grown in popularity. More energy efficient and longer lasting than previous bulbs, LED solutions are much more expensive, at least initially. When those are smart lights, those costs go up even more.
In this article, you'll learn about the many ways to control the lights in your home with your phone. You'll also see how each solution compares in terms of pricing.
Smart Lighting Solutions How to Set Smart Lights So They Don't Bother Everyone How to Set Smart Lights So They Don't Bother Everyone Sometimes all you want is a smart light bulb that does what it's supposed to do:turn it on or off. Sometimes it can be very difficult to get your smart light to work properly! Read More These products typically make lighting adjustments based on occupancy, daylight availability, or other conditions.
When you think of smart lighting, Philips Hue might come to mind. Philips Hue, first introduced in 2012, is a line of color-changing and white-ambient LED products created by Philips, including light bulbs, light strips, lamps, and wall controllers.
Philips Hue lighting works wirelessly through iOS devices like iPhone and iPad and uses the Zigbee lighting protocol to communicate. This specification is less expensive than other wireless personal area networks (WPANs), such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
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To get started with Philips Hue, you need to purchase a starter pack (UK), which contains some bulbs and a required bridging component. You can connect up to 50 devices to each Philips Hue bridge. If you want to add more than 50 devices, you will need to buy another bridge priced around $60.
Philips Hue starter packs range in price from $70 to $200, depending on the type of lights included in the pack. Individual bulbs range in price from $15 to $50 each. Accessories like light strips and lamps cost more, sometimes as much as $100 per unit.
In 2017, Philips Hue isn't the only smart lighting solution in town. Philips Hue Smart Light Bulb Money Saving Alternatives Philips Hue Smart Light Bulb Money Saving Alternatives In this article, you'll learn about some of the less expensive alternatives to Philips Hue and see how they compare. Read more . Companies like LIFX and ilumi also offer smart lighting solutions. Philips Hue Alternatives that are really worth it Philips Hue Alternatives that are really worth it The Philips Hue system is leading the charge when it comes to smart lighting, but there are some worthwhile alternatives out there. We have chosen three that offer the same basic feature set and hackability. Read more . Some of these don't even require a bridge to operate. Depending on your budget, you may want to consider these alternatives before making a decision.
For example, with LIFX smart light bulbs, you can choose from millions of colors or a thousand shades of white. Best of all, setting up LIFX doesn't require a hub, bridge, or additional hardware. Simply replace your existing bulbs and download the free LIFX app to get started.
These bulbs range considerably in price, from $30 for the LIFX White Range bulb (CA) to $60 for the LIFX All-in-One bulb (UK). For $80, you can purchase a LIFX+ (AC) bulb, which helps illuminate your space, even in the dark using infrared.
From an installation point of view, there is nothing easier than replacing standard light bulbs with smart light bulbs in your home. However, if you're willing to get out your toolbox and work on your home's wiring, you can swap out your existing light switches for smart switches. The 5 Best Wi-Fi Light Switches to Save Time and Money The 5 Best Wi-Fi Light changes to save time and money Looking for a lighting solution to save money on your electric bill? Here are some great Wi-Fi light switches to consider. Read More By adding a smart switch, you will automate the on/off switch and schedule when it should be turned on or off.
Smart switches, like smart light bulbs, rely on a WPAN to work. Typical solutions are based on Wi-Fi or ZigBee. The former will work with your current home network, while the latter requires a hub or control device.
Belkin's WeMo light switch is among the most popular on the market. Installing Your WeMo Switch:A Step-By-Step Guide Installing Your WeMo Switch:A Step-By-Step Guide A smart plug or light bulb is one thing; you just need to plug them in and they work. But in the case of a smart light switch, you have to deal with the electrical wiring. Read more . The Wi-Fi enabled device allows you to turn your lights on and off from anywhere in the world using a mobile device (Android and iOS). The $50 Belkin WeMo Insight Switch is also a good option and works with Amazon Alexa.
There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to use smart switches to create a smart lighting solution in your home. Cost, of course, is perhaps the most important factor. However, it can be difficult to determine the initial costs, depending on your situation. You will have to decide how many lights to control with each switch and from there.
Another great DIY smart lighting solution is installing smart plugs. Which smart plug is the best for you? Which smart plug is the best for you? Even if you're not into the whole smart home automation trend, you should still get some smart plugs. They are one of the easiest smart home products to use. Read More These allow you to automate anything with a plug, or remotely turn it on/off with your mobile device. Plugs and outlets come in various forms, some with built-in dimming controls.
The lamps work fine with smart plugs, of course. You can also benefit from using smart outlets with non-lighting products like small appliances, heaters, or entertainment centers.
The $40 WeMo Switch Smart Plug (AC) is a good option that works with Amazon Alexa. The same goes for the $50 iDevices Wi-Fi Smart Plug, which works with Apple HomeKit, Android, and Amazon Alexa.
Smart outlets offer plug-and-play simplicity, making them an ideal choice. They also provide maximum flexibility as they work with products other than lights. The biggest problem once again comes down to price. Purchasing smart light bulbs may still be the least expensive solution, depending on your situation.
Do you have your heart set on a smart plug or smart outlet solution? A great way to save money is to use a plug splitter to multiply the fixture to multiple lamps.
There is a lot to consider when deciding to install smart lighting in your home. Cost is an important factor, of course. However, it is not the only determinant..
If your home has a lot of irregularly sized light fixtures, you should consider a smart plug. Do you live in an old house and are you worried about your wiring? Installing smart light bulbs throughout your home may be the smartest move. Do you like wall units? Add smart switches.
I still can't decide? Using a mix of smart lights, smart switches, and smart plugs in your home isn't necessarily a bad idea. Just make sure all your solutions will work on the same mobile device. That way you can control all your lights with the same device.
