Install Smart Lighting Controls
New WiFi controlled smart lighting makes it easy to use lighting only when you need it. Save energy, money and reduce your impact—plus add some fun colored lights!
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
Turning off the lights when you don’t need them is a great way to save energy, money and reduce your environmental impact. However, sometimes it’s easy to forget! The great news - there are now many options for smart WiFi controlled lighting that makes it easy.
Smart lighting controls:
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Are low cost and easy to install and use
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Can turn your lights on and off automatically at a certain time of day, or respond to voice commands as you leave the room
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Save energy and money, up to 30% of your lighting energy use
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Provide additional safety and security for your home
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Reduce climate and air pollution
1Smart lighting features and uses
Smart, WiFi controlled lighting. Smart lighting lets you control your lighting from a smartphone, tablet or computer. Smart bulbs, plugs or switches connect to your WiFi network and you can adjust the brightness, color, or warmth of the bulb with your phone or with a voice control assistant like Siri, Alexa or Google Home.
Timers and schedules. You can also personalize your lighting use by setting schedules and timers. Do you tend to fall asleep while reading with the light on? You can easily set a timer for your smart lights to shut off after a set amount of time. Or you can set certain lights to come on automatically when the sun goes down. Timers can also control lighting while you are away on vacation to make your home look occupied.
Dimmer controls. Dimmer controls allow you to lower the lighting to just what you need, saving you energy. If you dim the light 50%, your energy use drops 50%. This can be done easily on your phone by installing a smart bulb or a smart dimmer switch.
Sensors. Set up your lights to turn on or off automatically with motion sensors. Examples of good places for motion sensors are bathrooms, garage, closets, pantry, laundry room and outside on pathways for security. You can also add light sensors to turn on outdoor lighting when the sun goes down.
Not sure you want the WiFi option? No problem. Traditional dimmer controls, motion and light sensors, and manual timer controls are all good options as well to control lighting. They tend to be a little cheaper than the smart WiFi devices, but may be more difficult to install and program.
2Choose smart lighting devices
Think about your lighting needs and choose the device that will work best for you.
Smart bulbs. Smart bulbs look and work like regular light bulbs, except you can control them with an app on your smartphone or with an assistant like Siri or Alexa. Just purchase and install the bulb in a regular light fixture, set up the app and you’re ready to go. No wiring required. There are options for many types of light fixtures including in-ceiling fixtures and can-style ceiling lights.
You can control these lights from anywhere with your phone. You can also create schedules or have them turn on automatically when you get home (or off when you leave). Most come with color options, so you can choose a color that fits your mood!
Note: Your existing light switches will still work if needed, however, if you turn off the light at the light switch, the power to the smart light goes away too! So it is best to leave the light switch on and control the light with the smart controls.
Cost: Smart bulbs start around $10 each and have a 10+ year lifetime.
Smart plugs. Smart plugs sit between your wall outlet and your light plug. If you have a lamp you want to control, just plug a smart plug into the existing outlet, then plug the lamp into the smart plug. This also works for computers and other devices (see the Smart Power Strip action for more info).
Smart plugs work just like smart bulbs. You can control them with an app or with voice commands and set schedules, dim the lights and more. The plug has a physical switch as well you can use if needed.
Cost: Smart plugs typically cost around $10 or more per plug.
Smart switches. If a smart bulb or light switch isn’t the best option for you, there is also the option to install a smart light switch. Smart switches replace your current wall mounted light switch and connect to your WiFi to add in the smart features. They come with or without a dimmer. You can also still control them from the light switch as before.
Installing a smart switch requires wiring and working with electricity. It is generally an easy, DIY install if you feel comfortable working with electricity, however, you can also hire a professional to help.
There are two types of smart switches: models that require a neutral wire and models that don’t. If your home is older than 1985, it may not have a neutral wire available inside the existing switch box. If you don’t have a neutral (white) wire, there are switch options that do not require it, instead they use a small hub that connects to your WiFi router to control the switches. To see if you have a neutral wire, you can inspect your switch box or call a professional to help.
Cost: Smart switches that require a neutral wire start around $20 each. For models that don’t require a neutral wire, they are a bit more expensive, $35 or more each. If you don’t have a neutral wire you will also need to invest in the hub controller once (for multiple switches) which costs around $30 and up.
Traditional options. If you would prefer not to use smart controls, you can opt for more traditional automated lighting options like standard dimmers or sensor switches.
Be Safe! For all lighting projects that include wiring, if you decide to do the installation yourself, be sure to follow installation instructions and safety precautions, as well as building codes or regulations. If you aren't ready to take on wiring, contact a licensed professional for help.
3 Install and save!
Identify areas in your home that could benefit from automated lighting and choose your lighting options. Then install and save!