Smart lighting refers to lighting systems that are designed to be automated and controlled remotely using various devices such as smartphones, tablets, voice assistants, and smart home hubs.
These lighting systems use advanced technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee to communicate with their users and other smart devices in the home.
Smart lighting systems offer a range of features and benefits, including:
Energy Efficiency:
Smart lighting systems use LED bulbs that consume less energy than traditional bulbs. Additionally, they can be programmed to turn off when no one is in the room or adjust their brightness based on the natural light in the room, which helps to reduce energy consumption.
Convenience:
With smart lighting systems, you can control your lights remotely using your smartphone or other smart devices. You can also create schedules or use motion sensors to automatically turn on or off your lights, making it easier and more convenient to manage your lighting.
Security:
Smart lighting systems can also be used to enhance home security. For example, you can program your lights to turn on automatically when you’re away from home, giving the impression that someone is still there.
Mood and Ambiance:
Smart lighting systems offer a wide range of color and brightness options, allowing you to create different moods and ambiance in your home. You can choose warm colors for a relaxing evening, bright colors for an energizing workout, or set the perfect lighting for a romantic dinner.
Perhaps the simplest way to begin creating a connected Smart home is with smart lighting. Since smart light sources can be conveniently controlled via an app, remote control, voice control, or a variety of sensors, even without a light switch, you can create a stunning effect with little to no effort.
Without using a switch or dimmer, smart lights can be turned on and off. They can also be muted and their intensity changed at will or using an app. With just one click, you can transform your entire home’s lighting into a warm atmosphere thanks to customizable scenarios. Additionally, it’s simple to set your smart lights to turn on automatically at a certain time in the evening and at what brightness level.
A highly unique ambiance is created by smart multicolor LED bulbs. Some of them are capable of reproducing up to 16 million various colors, and they constantly provide the ideal amount of light, for instance during a pleasant family movie night.
Additionally, thanks to apps like Home Connect Plus, integrating your smart lighting with other smart home appliances is a breeze. For instance, you can program your smart lock on your front door to automatically unlock when you open the lights and associated gadgets. Alternately, you can program your lights to automatically adjust to a comfortable evening spent watching TV in addition to your blinds, heating, and alarm system.
Because only the lights that are actually needed are turned on, smart lighting control in a home can help even frugal homeowners. Your interior lighting may detect when you leave the house by using geofencing or motion sensors to regulate smart lighting, which subsequently turns off all the lights. This lowers your carbon footprint while simultaneously lowering your electricity expenditures.
A system for controlling the lights in your smart home can also help keep you safe from intruders. For instance, an automated light control system might make it appear as though someone is home when you are traveling or on vacation. Or, if the security system activates the alarm in an emergency, all of the house’s lights turn on at once, further discouraging uninvited visitors.
Types of smart lighting systems
The types of smart lighting systems that are currently available on the market are listed below based on their uses and control methods.
- Smart Light Bulbs
- Smart Lights connected to the hub
- Motion sensing Bulbs
Let’s get into more detail about these smart lighting solutions.
Smart Light Bulbs
Smart light bulbs with Wi-Fi capabilities are an affordable smart lighting option. They fit into standard bulb holders and can be installed. The user must first pair the smart light with their Wi-Fi network before they can remotely operate the smart light. The user can install as many light bulbs as they need.
Smart Lights connected to the Hub
Installing smart lights that use the same communication technology as your existing smart home system allows you to enhance its functionality. Through a hub, the smart light will connect to the internet. The fact that they cannot be used without a hub is their disadvantage.
Motion sensing Bulbs
To detect activity and turn on lights, motion detection smart lights employ PIR sensors. When someone enters a kitchen or when they notice movement in your garden, the lights will turn on.
Type of communication used by Smart lighting systems.
For internet or mobile phone connectivity and remote operation of smart lighting systems, the following communication technologies are employed.
- BlueTooth Connect smart lighting System
Smart lighting systems based on Bluetooth can network together and be controlled by smartphones that support BLE. A Bluetooth Hub is needed in order to remotely control Bluetooth-based smart lighting systems. To connect Bluetooth-enabled devices to the internet, utilize a Bluetooth hub.
- Wi-fi connected smart light
Wi-Fi-based smart light systems can be remotely controlled and are connected to the internet via a Wi-Fi network. However, if there is no internet, they cannot be managed.
- ZigBee or Z-wave connected Smart lighting system
ZigBee or Z-wave-based smart lights also create a mesh network, much like Bluetooth-based smart lighting systems. However, they can’t be managed without a hub. A ZigBee or Z-wave hub is required to control them.
Final thoughts
We particularly like the efficiencies produced by the automation aspects of smart lighting, which have come a long way.
Lighting has a significant influence on mood, health, and behavior. Businesses may use intelligent lighting to affect employee productivity or negotiate moods during negotiations. Retailers may use it to change the environment to encourage customers to make purchases, while homes can use it to have a good night’s sleep, conserve energy, and save money.
SAMMY MWANGI the editor of Autohomegadgets.com. He is an Electronics Technician enthusiast and a Sales Manager in one of the leading ICT companies in Africa. When he is not working, he loves to travel and explore nature. He is a Robot fanatic too.