The #1 Mistake to Avoid With Smart Lighting: Smart Light Bulbs
I recently ran across an article discussing smart lighting and the biggest mistake newbies should avoid with it: investing in smart light bulbs. There are a number of ways to accomplish smart lighting in a modern home, but using smart bulbs makes the least sense among all the options.
Easy to Install and Use
I am guessing the main reason home automation newbies invest in smart light bulbs is the fact that they are easy to install and use. Just choose a brand with an associated smartphone app and you are good to go. Screw in the bulbs, pair them in the app, and you’re all set.
I will admit that smart bulbs have a feature I like: the ability to change colors. But realistically, how often am I going to do that? Probably never. Once the novelty of different colors wears off, I’m likely to stick with the standard white light so necessary to clearly see once the sun goes down.
Given that smart bulbs are so easy to use, why should newbies avoid them? Because it doesn’t take long for them to discover all the disadvantages smart bulbs bring to bear.
3 Reasons to Avoid Them
Smart light bulbs represent the #1 mistake among newbies in the smart lighting realm. There are multiple reasons to avoid investing in them, including the following three:
Cost – Smart light bulbs are expensive. They may last a couple of years, but they will ultimately have to be replaced. A single smart switch costs about the same as a smart bulb. But it doesn’t need to be replaced nearly as often – if at all.
Pairing – Every smart bulb needs to be paired with the system via a mobile app. It is not too big a deal, but it’s still not as easy as screwing in a traditional bulb and being done with it. Whenever a bulb needs replacement, you need to go through the pairing process.
Switches – In order for smart bulbs to work, manual wall switches need to be left on. How frequently are they inadvertently switched off? It can be frustrating to talk to your smart speaker and not be able to turn on your lights because someone flipped off the switch.
I get it. Smart light bulbs are easy. They are uncomplicated, which is important to people just getting started in home automation. But there are other options, according to Vivint.
Switches and Relays
Lamps that plug into the wall can be made smart with plugs that go between lamp plug and outlet. You plugged the smart plug into the wall and the light into the plug. Now you have complete control.
Smart wall switches are another option. They replace the manual switches homes normally come equipped with. They are not terribly difficult to install if you have a basic understanding of electrical switches. Otherwise, you could invest in a smart home system from Vivint and get professional installation.
Relays are a final option. They are connected between the wires of your electrical system and your existing manual switches. Relays are effective, but they can create problems should you sell your house and the new owners don’t know how to use smart equipment. So for my money, smart wall switches are the best and most effective solution.
Go Ahead and Jump In
If you’re new to smart lighting and thinking about investing in smart bulbs, take a second look. Smart switches and plugs might be a bit more difficult to use, but you might as well jump in and learn to swim right away. You will be better off for it.
