Smart lighting gives you the ability to control your lights through an app or with programmable wireless buttons and remotes. You can sync your lighting with sunrise and sunset, dim or change their color, and create scheduling routines and scenes.
Lights can also communicate with other building systems to notify occupants of events like a doorbell ring or a fitness tracker notification.
ENERGY STAR
You’ve probably seen the familiar blue star on products like appliances, computers and even light bulbs. That’s because ENERGY STAR is a program from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to help us save money, protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gases.
To earn the ENERGY STAR label, a product has to be independently certified by an EPA-recognized certification body as using less energy than similar non-rated models in its category. However, it can’t sacrifice performance or comfort to achieve these savings.
One of the best ways to save on your electricity bill is by switching to ENERGY STAR qualified lights. They use significantly less energy than standard models while still providing the same functionality. In fact, they can lower your bill by about 30% when used during peak energy hours. This can be especially significant if you live in an area with time-of-use pricing.
CONVENIENCE
Whether you’re at home, on the other side of town or in another country, smart lighting allows you to manage your lights remotely. With a few effortless taps on your phone or voice activation with your virtual assistant, you can illuminate rooms and spaces at once, set schedules, sync your lights to sunrise and sunset, and much more.
Most smart bulbs operate on a wireless network, so they run the risk of hacking. However, most companies have worked hard to make sure that they have security software that prevents this from happening.
Many smart lights can be connected to other building systems so that they flash or change color when your doorbell rings, alert you if you’ve forgotten to turn off the lights before leaving, or even remind you of your anniversary. They can also be programmed to turn on and off randomly while you’re away, making it harder for potential burglars to tell that nobody is home.
SECURITY
While smart lighting can be a great way to save energy, it’s important to make sure that your system has built-in security features. Smart lights can be a target for hackers and they may use the devices to collect information about your building and occupants.
Like any device that connects to the internet, smart light bulbs can be vulnerable to hackers. However, it’s important to research the products that you are considering and ensure that they have up-to-date software.
Additionally, some newer systems use a bridge or other device to connect the smart light bulb to your home Wi-Fi. These systems have less functionality if they cannot connect to the internet, but they are still better than traditional light bulbs. If your system is connected to a smart security solution you will be able to trigger the lights when the alarm goes off. This means that if you hear your fire alarm at night, your lights will turn on automatically to guide you safely to safety and not leave you in the dark.
VALUE
One of the key benefits of smart lighting is saving energy and money. Smart controls help reduce energy waste through occupancy and vacancy sensors, programmable scheduling, plug-and-play systems, personal dimming and brightening controls, and more.
Compared to their incandescent counterparts, smart bulbs use only a fraction of the electricity and generate a minimal amount of heat. They also last longer. Many smart lights are designed to fit into existing fixtures and lamps. They can be grouped together in an app to control multiple devices at once or integrated with voice assistants to turn them on and off with your voice.
Smart light kits, switches, and bulbs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The best smart lights, such as Philips Hue, are easy to set up and use on a daily basis. They are also highly customizable and have a wide selection of hues, from floor and table lamps to sconces and downlighters. There are also options for integrating smart lights with your home’s entertainment system or a gaming console.
