Top 7 Things to Know About Smart Lights Before You Buy Them

As home automation gains popularity, lighting has evolved from mere illumination to an integral component of interconnected homes. Smart lights, equipped with wireless connectivity and advanced features, offer people complete control, convenience, and customization over their lighting environments.

However, with many available options, choosing the right smart lights for your home or business premises can be challenging. That’s why, to help you make an informed decision, this article discusses seven things you must know about smart lights before you buy them.

What is a Smart Light?

A smart light is a lighting fixture or bulb with wireless connectivity which allows you to remotely control it with a smartphone or smart home hub.

These lights are designed to have variable intensities and different colors. You can turn them on or off, change their colors and temperature, and schedule them to come on or off at certain times using a mobile app on your smartphone or voice commands.

Smart lights often connect to a home Wi-Fi network or utilize other wireless protocols like Zigbee or Z-Wave to communicate with other smart devices and the internet. This connectivity makes it easy to manage your lighting remotely, set schedules, and create lighting scenarios for different activities or moods.

How Does Smart Lighting Work?

Smart lighting works through a wireless connection of smart bulbs, switches and other devices. The lights connect easily with other devices through WiFi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Bluetooth.

Once your smart lights have connected with other devices, you can control them using a dedicated mobile app. You can also use voice commands to control your lights, set scenarios and schedule their routines based on your needs.

What are the Advantages of Smart Lighting?

There are many reasons why you should choose smart lighting over traditional lighting systems. Here are some of them:

Energy Efficiency

Many smart lighting systems offer energy-saving features like dimming, scheduling, and motion sensing. These features reduce energy consumption and lower electricity bills by ensuring lights are only turned on when needed.

Convenience

Smart lighting systems enable you to control your lights remotely from anywhere. You only need access to the internet and to have the mobile app installed on your smartphone. With a remote control system, there’s no need to inconvenience yourself by manually switching lights on and off.

Customization

Smart lighting systems offer good customization features. You can adjust brightness levels, change colors (if applicable), and create lighting scenes for different activities or moods.

Enhanced Security

You can use smart lighting systems to increase the security of your building or property. By remotely controlling your lights, you can give outsiders the impression that someone is present in your home or commercial property, even when no one is around. This deters any intending criminals from entering your home.

Factors to Consider When Buying Smart Lights

Before buying smart lighting systems, here are essential considerations you must make to ensure you get the one that meets your needs:

1. Light Type

There are many types of smart lights in the market, such as bulbs, fixtures, light strips, lamps, etc. 

Consider the ones that suit your needs best. For example, bulbs are easy to install and replace, while light strips offer flexible lighting solutions that can beautify your space.

2. Compatibility

Compatibility is an essential factor in choosing a smart light. Most smart lights use protocols like Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi to connect to your home network. Therefore, you must consider smart lights compatible with your existing lighting fixtures and smart home ecosystem.

If your smart home platform is Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit, the smart lights you buy should be compatible. That’s if you don’t want to run your smart home systems with different platforms.

3. Hub Requirement

Some smart lights require a central hub to operate, while others can connect directly to your Wi-Fi network. Hubs can add stability and extend the range of your smart home devices but may also add to the initial cost.

Therefore, before you buy a smart light, assess the product hub requirements based on your budget. If you can afford the cost of an additional hub, then you can choose smart lights that connect with a hub. Otherwise, buy smart lights that require no hub connectivity, as they also function effectively.

4. Color and Temperature Range

If you’re interested in colored lighting or adjusting the temperature of white light, make sure the smart lights you choose offer a wide range of colors and temperatures.

Light colors play a vital role in amplifying the aesthetics of a space. Also, they allow you to create different atmospheres and moods in your living or office spaces. For example, you can choose warm white light for a cozy evening ambience or vibrant colors for a party or celebration.

5. App Control and Features

Most smart lights come with dedicated mobile apps you can use to control them, set schedules, and create lighting scenes.

Assess the features available on the app, such as dimming, color control, and automation options, to make sure they align with your preferences.

6. Security and Privacy Features

Many people prefer smart lighting systems with enhanced security features. This is because smart lights, like every other internet-enabled system, are vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Hackers can access your passwords or private data through unencrypted smart lighting devices.

Therefore, it’s essential you go for smart lighting systems that prioritize data privacy and offer end-to-end encryption of your commands.

7. Product Cost

Cost is one of the critical factors you must consider when buying a smart lighting system. While smart lights offer more to your property than traditional lights, they often come at more expensive prices. 

Therefore, you must consider the upfront and operational costs of the smart lights before making a purchase. Look for energy-efficient models and consider things like their lifespan and warranty to assess their overall value.

Ready to Install a Smart Lighting System?

At Chrelectmep, we specialize in smart home automation systems and have years of experience in delivering the best results to clients. 

Our team of experts are available to recommend and help you install a smart lighting system that brings out the beauty of your home or office space, saves you costs and enhances the security of your property.

Contact us now to get a quote.