The simple, energy-hungry incandescent lights have been replaced by an apparently endless selection of energy-efficient, intelligent lighting devices. LED lighting has not only substantially lowered the energy usage of homes across the country, but it has also provided homeowners with a vast selection of new, customizable lighting options.
According to a recent industry analysis, the smart lighting market is predicted to reach USD 74.30 billion by 2026, from an estimated USD 16.2 billion in 2020. This represents a compound annual growth rate of about 30% for the following five years. Increasing popularity and acceptance of smart home technology are surely contributing to this phenomenal expansion. The integration of home lighting systems with intelligent home technology continues to evolve. As a result, the market will continue to be flooded with innovative, customizable, functional, and energy-efficient home lighting options.
What is smart lighting?
Smart technology enables your home’s lighting fixtures to expand in breadth and functionality. Smart lighting systems can be remotely controlled at their most fundamental level, typically by an app on a smartphone or computer. Smart lighting mainly relies on several types of wireless transmitters for signal transmission and reception. Smart lighting can link to your smart home hub via Bluetooth or built-in Wi-Fi radios that connect directly to your router.
Other intelligent lighting choices include motion and lighting sensors that turn on and off automatically based on the quantity of light sensed or the presence of people and motion in a certain place. These simple features can reduce the amount of energy lost when lights are left on in an uninhabited home.
Some of the more sophisticated intelligent lighting systems also use machine learning algorithms. The lights automatically monitor and learn the lighting habits of the household’s inhabitants. This “learning” allows the lights to turn on and off automatically at particular times of the day, based on the tenants’ daily routines, creating the impression that someone is home even when the house is vacant for extended periods.
How much energy can be saved using smart lighting?
Enhanced controllability is one of the most significant benefits of smart lighting systems, as it saves energy usage. Smart bulbs connected to an app, for instance, can notify you if a light is left on in the home when no motion is detected, allowing you to turn it off. Almost all smart lighting solutions are compatible with LED lighting fixtures, which are 75% more energy-efficient and 25 times more durable than conventional incandescent bulbs. The exact amount you could save by converting to smart lighting relies on the current lighting fixtures in your home and the homeowner’s habits. If members of your household frequently forget to switch off lights, intelligent lighting will likely result in instant cost savings.
Types of Smart Lighting
1. Smart Bulbs
If you are unfamiliar with smart home technologies, smart bulbs may be the best option for you. These lights have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth integrated in, allowing users to control the illumination from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Although this sort of smart lighting is user-friendly, it can be costly due to the fact that you must purchase individual bulbs, which can be costly if you purchase multiple. Additionally, not all plugs are compatible with smart bulbs. Always consult an expert before purchasing smart bulbs.
2. Smart Switches
You have the option to upgrade the on/off switch instead of the light bulbs.
Smart switches, like smart lamps, connect to your network over Wi-Fi. Once linked, customers are able to operate connected bulbs by smartphone or tablet.
This is an excellent alternative if you have sockets that are incompatible with smart light bulb types, as you only need to replace the switch. However, installing smart switches might be challenging if you lack knowledge with home wiring. We advise calling a professional installer for appropriate installation.
3. Smart Outlets
The smart outlet is the third option for automatic lighting. Smart outlets are directly hooked into the wall and connected to a network. These devices are incredibly scalable because any device that is put into an outlet, including power strips, automatically becomes a smart device.
Smart outlets provide consumers with customizable options that may include motion-sensing technology. Some variants are even compatible with voice control and can connect to home assistants.
Whether you seek convenience, energy savings, or security, smart lighting is one of the most effective automated home elements. Connect with a reputable security provider to examine all available solutions.
How do smart lights function?
The majority of smart systems will revolve around a central ‘bridge,’ a device that connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network and enables you to manage your lights with your smartphone. Some modern smart light bulbs, such as the Crompton Smart range, can function without a bridge.
Some intelligent systems interact via the wireless protocol Zigbee, which is an industry standard. It is similar to your Wi-Fi signal, but one major distinction is that Zigbee gadgets can speak with one other, but Wi-Fi products can only talk with a central router.
This means that every light bulb in your smart system is capable of relaying messages from the bridge. Therefore, even if your bridge is on the opposite side of the house, the signal ‘boost’ offered by each product significantly increases the range.
Simple Methods to Begin with Smart Lighting
Don’t fret if a state-of-the-art home automation overhaul is beyond your comfort zone or budget. There are still modest opportunities to test out smart-home technology. Follow these straightforward steps to integrate smart lights into your house.
1. Select an assistant
Intelligent devices should make life simpler. Using a digital assistant, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, is the simplest method to centralize smart-home functions. These voice-activated devices can be designed to connect with numerous smart-lighting controls, including dimming, brightening, turning on, and shutting off lights.
2. Start with smart lightbulbs
Changing a lightbulb is the simplest method to experiment with smart-home features. Connect a smart bulb, such as the Philips Dimmable Connected Bulb to your Wi-Fi network and begin playing with the app to regulate the light. You can then determine whether features such as brightness adjustment without a dimmer switch warrant extra investment.
3. Install smart light switches
Consider smart outlets or switches, such as the $15 Kasa Smart Light Switch, to make your entire home smarter. After installing the smart switch, you can remotely operate your fixtures, including those with standard bulbs. Consider installing smart light fixtures, which have this technology built in and can be operated with your voice or an app, after you’ve experienced how well smart switches can work for your lifestyle.
4. Be innovative with intelligent lighting controls
When you synchronize smart lights with other smart devices utilizing free web services, the possibilities are practically limitless. Turn on the porch light when your smart doorbell rings, flash a red light if your thermostat detects carbon monoxide, or turn on the bedroom light when your fitness tracker indicates you’re awake. If you are eager to investigate the capabilities, home automation offers a multitude of methods to simplify your life.
Starting small makes smart lighting a breeze. Utilize this technology to automate your home’s lights to your specifications.
To sum up
If you’re new to home automation, smart lighting is the perfect place to start. As long as you don’t need elaborate configurations, basic smart bulbs can be relatively affordable. However, if you intend to integrate these lights with the rest of your smart devices, you will need to purchase the IFTTT integration option.
You can turn the lights on and off, activate, dim, blink, or change colors with your smartphone. Now your lights can truly illuminate your day.
