Photo by Philips
Out of all the smart home technologies available on the market, smart lighting is one of the easiest to integrate into your home. Smart lighting can be controlled by voice command through your smartphone or a smart home hub (like Amazon Alexa), making them relatively easy to manage. They are also among the most affordable smart home devices, starting at about $10 per bulb.
One of the most useful aspects of smart lighting is the ability to control the lighting while you’re away from home. If you leave for work and leave the lights on, you can easily turn them off with a few taps on a smartphone app. Consumers can schedule lighting to turn on or off at certain times of the day, depending on their preferences. For instance, turning off all the lights at home just before bedtime or scheduling the lights to turn on just before returning home from work.
Many smart light bulbs have motion-detection technology that can sense if a person is in the room or nearby. This feature can be programmed to send an alert to your phone when the smart lighting detects an unexpected motion, either inside or outside the home.
Beyond the more practical applications, smart lighting can simply be fun to use. Bulbs are available in various colors and with dimming options to set different themes, moods and color temperatures. Blue light, which mimics natural daylight, provides a dynamic environment during the day; warmer colors at night can help release melatonin and lead to a better night's sleep.
Before making any purchases, be sure to research which smart lighting options work best for your home. Read multiple reviews and stick to reputable consumer brands. Another factor to consider is that not all smart lighting options are compatible with dimmer switches since smart bulbs come with their own built-in dimming mechanisms.
Before making any purchases, be sure to research which smart lighting options work best for your home. Read several reviews to ensure your purchase is reliable during the entirety of its lifespan. There are plenty of smart lighting options out there and choosing the best personalized option will help you make the most of it.
Maria Kanevsky writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives.