Home Automation Lighting Control

home automation lighting control

Home automation systems offer a wealth of convenience and efficiency for homeowners, saving precious things like time, energy and dollars. One of the most popular systems chosen by homeowners is lighting control.

A lighting control system is comprised of a series of switches and dimmers that allow you to control lights individually or collectively. You can manage these switches remotely and create lighting schedules to suit your lifestyle. These products can range from simple, standalone devices that use a timer to turn your lights on and off, to sophisticated smart light bulbs with a variety of functions such as different colors and dimmer settings that can be controlled using a smartphone app.

You can even get a similar effect by simply replacing your current standard bulbs with smart ones. All you need is a hub to connect them to your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth network, and you’re ready to control them with the manufacturer’s smartphone app. Many smart lights also feature a dimmer setting, which can change the color from a cool white to a warm yellow tone or a more traditional blue shade to match your mood.

For the highest level of automation, you can install a whole-home lighting control system that uses a central controller with timer and programming capabilities, dimming rack and processor, remote controls and occupancy/motion sensors. This type of system will also integrate with a home theater system, motorized window shades and other components of the house to provide the ultimate in convenience and efficiency.

With a system of this caliber, you can control your lighting with a touch pad on the wall or from your smartphone or tablet. You can also set a schedule to turn your lights on and off while you’re at work or on vacation, simulating the appearance of an occupied residence to deter criminal activity. You can also activate pathway lighting to illuminate a safe route from the front door to your bedroom, kitchen or family room.

If you want to control your lighting with voice commands, you can choose to have them installed in conjunction with your home speaker(s) such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. Simply tell your smart speakers what you’d like the lights to do and they’ll do the rest. This is an especially useful function when your hands are full with groceries or when you’re sitting in the living room with a glass of wine.

Unlike other automation systems, you can have your lighting integrated into your home without a major rewiring project. Many of these smart devices can be purchased as replacements for existing switches and dimmers, which means that you can upgrade your current lighting while preserving the integrity of your home’s wiring. Some of these products even include a small plate that fits over your existing switch to disable it while allowing you to control the device underneath it. This is the perfect solution for those who want to take advantage of automated lighting control but don’t want to deal with the cost and hassle of rewiring.