It seems as if every time you turn the page on one home automation device, something new is introduced. That’s good, especially for home automation geeks who love to stay on the cutting edge of the geek universe. Perhaps this Christmas, some of them will be getting some new gadgets for home lighting control.
Lighting is at the forefront of home automation because it provides the perfect platform for learning and experimenting. If you’ve been thinking about delving into the world of home automation yourself, lighting is a good place to start. The three technologies listed here would be an excellent introduction into the home automation arena.
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Programmable Scene Switches
Prior to home automation, the best we could do with lighting was use manual timers to turn lamps on and off. Home lighting control now involves so much more, as evidenced by the first technology on the list: the programmable scene switch.
Lighting scenes are essentially different ways to use your home lighting for different purposes. For example, you may want to fully illuminate your dining room when the family sits down for supper while dimming the family room lights and turning the rest off. Rather than doing it manually every evening, a lighting scene makes it all automatic.
You can activate your scene via a program or use your smartphone to switch scenes by way of a dedicated app. Some programmable scene switches offer more options than others, so be sure to look into the details before you buy.
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LED Bulbs with Dimming Capabilities
Making the best use of lighting scenes requires using the right bulbs. For this application, there is nothing better than an LED bulb with dimming capabilities. LED bulbs are more efficient, cost-effective, and longer-lasting than incandescent. They also produce less heat than the alternatives.
With an LED bulb, you can create lighting scenes that not only include turning the power on-off but also seamless dimming and raising as well. Dim the lights in one part of the house while you are busy elsewhere. If you are planning an intimate evening with friends or loved ones, you can dim or raise the lights in any part of the house with your smartphone. The LED bulbs will respond instantly.
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Programmable Wall Outlets
One of the hottest things in automated lighting right now is the programmable wall outlet. If you are not familiar with it, think of the old manual outlet timers but on steroids. These new devices take programming your outlets to the next level. You can use them to control all the lamps in your home.
The programmable wall outlet certainly offers the basic functionality of turning the power on-off. But let’s up the game. Let’s say you want your lights to turn on just before you arrive home so that you never have to enter a dark house. Provided the technology you choose includes geolocation capabilities, your wall outlets could sense when you turn onto the block, instantly turning on the lights for you.
It is also possible to connect some wall outlets to your smart thermostat as well. For example, let’s say you leave home and forget to turn the lights off. Once your smart thermostat realizes you are not home and goes to adjust the temperature, it also signals the wall outlets to cut power.
Lighting is a great place to get started with home automation. There are now enough home lighting devices to do just about anything you want, whether you are working with lamps or hardwired lighting. Home lighting has come a long way.
