In this technological age, people are considering programmable lighting for their homes and offices because of its many advantages. First, smart light systems let you control a bulb or an LED strip remotely via mobile phone apps or voice assistants like Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa. Second, you’ll be able to adjust the brightness of the light bulb without having to install a dimmer.
Aside from these, smart lights can also help you save on energy consumption and can be integrated with your security alarms and cameras. But before you finally decide on installing a programmable lighting system on your property, here are some things you should consider:
Smart Lights With or Without a Hub?
Hubless programmable lights use wireless transmissions to send or receive signals. These bulbs have built-in Wi-Fi radios, allowing you to connect the bulbs directly to your router and remotely access them. Others have Bluetooth radios, so you can link them to your smartphones and control them within more or less a 30-feet radius. These types of smart lights don’t require any additional hardware for them to work.
For smart lights that are compatible with hubs, you need to check if their packaging contains words like “Zigbee” and “Z-Wave.” These protocols allow your smart system to connect to devices and even extend their access range.
Phone Apps or Voice Assistants?
Before choosing a smart light for your home or office, you may want to think about which platform you would prefer to use for controlling the system. Most products in the market have their own control apps, enabling you to schedule a specific time of turning your bulbs on and off and even choose to go brighter or dimmer.
Other programmable lights can be connected to your property’s smart central system and paired with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google. Through this, you can easily link your lighting to your smart speakers, and you’ll be able to use them alongside your security systems, thermostats, and cameras.
White or Color-Changing Lights?
One of the most fun features that numerous smart lights have is the function of changing colors. While some homeowners are just looking for white light bulbs that can be brightened or dimmed for common indoor areas, others opt for color-changing ones. The latter can be used for setting the mood in your bedroom or gaming room.
Smart Lights Are Reasonably Priced
You might be thinking that programmable lighting systems can be quite costly with all the features mentioned above. However, this is not the case. You can purchase hubless smart light bulbs for as low as $10 or even less, while lighting kits with hubs are priced for as low as $100. The rate depends on the product’s inclusions and brand.
Turn to Our Electrical Contractors Today!
If you’re looking for a trusted provider of residential and commercial electrical services, look no further than Kish Electric. We have been one of the go-to contractors in La Crosse, WI for more than 65 years. Our team can help you choose and install the right programmable lighting system for your property. Contact us to request a quote for your next project!
