How Do Smart Lights Work?
An introduction to smart lighting.
What are smart lights?
Smart lights are lighting fixtures and light bulbs that can sense and interact automatically with their environments and with users and other smart devices. Unlike regular light bulbs which require manual operation, smart lights can be controlled remotely or through voice commands. Wireless connectivity handles most of the features of adaptive lighting and is often the answer to how do smart lights work. It's also the reason you can easily control your smart lights when you're not at home.
Depending on the model chosen, you can control smart bulbs with a remote, from your phone, or by giving voice commands via a digital voice assistant or smart display. Besides switching smart lights on and off, you can also dim some models remotely and change their colors and warmth. The ability to program their actions according to daily schedules is another useful feature. You can set them to turn on at dusk and switch off at dawn. It's also possible to assign smart lights to different groups and control all the lights in a group together.
How do smart lights work?
A smart light connects to and receives instructions wirelessly from a central controller. This key relationship is worth remembering when learning how to set up smart lights. The central controller can be a hub or a software smart home platform. Most smart home hubs link devices connected together on the same Wi-Fi network. Smart lights are Wi-Fi-enabled devices that connect to the internet using wireless networks.
Certain smart light bulbs require a dedicated smart hub to connect with wirelessly, with the hub then plugging into an internet router. The hub also acts as a gateway between the smart light and your phone or tablet. It processes commands sent from these mobile devices and forwards instructions to the smart bulb. So, how do smart lights work if they don't rely on hubs? They connect directly to the Wi-Fi network in your home or office. When controlling them from your phone, tablet or smart speaker, you're sending instructions to the lights over the internet.
Some smart lights don't completely rely on wireless communication for all their smart features. Such adaptive light fixtures have sensors capable of detecting changes in their environments. For example, smart bulbs with daylight or motion sensors don't need hubs or internet connectivity to switch on and off when they sense motion.
What are the benefits of smart lights?
If you're thinking about switching from regular bulbs to smart bulbs, you may wonder about the difference in price. Smart bulbs cost a little more than regular bulbs, but their benefits make them a much better value. Smart bulbs are usually light-emitting diode (LED) and compact fluorescent (CFL) lights. They have lower energy consumption and last longer than incandescent bulbs.
Smart LED lights also provide better value than regular LED lights, thanks to features such as scheduling. Scheduling and remote control can help reduce your home's energy consumption by switching off smart lights when you're away. Outdoor smart lighting fixtures with motion sensors can contribute to your home's security by dissuading intruders from approaching the property.
Smart lights are also fun to use. By changing the brightness and color of your smart lights, you can set different moods for the rooms in your home. Such customizations help create the best ambiance when reading, watching movies, throwing parties or getting ready for bed.
How do you install smart light bulbs?
Manufacturers provide instructions on how to set up smart lights in the manuals included with their products. The first step is to put a newly installed smart light into pairing mode. This often requires switching it on and off a set number of times. The light will blink rapidly as it seeks to connect wirelessly with a hub or a router.
On your smartphone, download and open the companion app for the smart light fixture to complete the pairing process. Once paired, the light will stop blinking and stay on. If you're installing multiple smart bulbs, you should assign a name to each of them. If you're replacing all the lights in your home with smart bulbs, you'll need to complete the pairing and setup process for each one.
If any of the smart bulbs you set up lose their connection to the hub or router, they may fail to respond. Instructions for how to reset a smart light are the same as the initial setup. Start by putting it in pairing mode by switching it on and off repeatedly until it flashes rapidly. Reconnect the smart light by pairing it with its mobile app.
Besides the companion app, you can also connect your smart light bulbs to a smart home platform of choice. This makes it easy to control the lights using voice commands. Learning how to connect your smart light to Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant requires setting up the device in the Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit or Google Home app, respectively. If you have multiple smart lights from the same manufacturer, you can save time by linking the brand's companion app to the app for your preferred smart home platform.
Can you convert regular light fixtures into smart ones?
If you'd rather not replace your light fixtures when transitioning to a smart home, you can still give them some smart features by controlling them with smart switches and plugs. Just as you did when learning how to set up smart lights, you can add these devices to your smart home via their mobile apps. Note that a smart switch or plug only gives you limited control over your light. Using one, you'll only be able to switch your regular bulb on and off. Another option is to install a smart outlet that easily turns your lamp into a smart-enabled device.
Now that you know the details surrounding what smart lights are and how they work, first, consider your home’s layout and lighting needs to devise a plan. Then you’ll be ready to take the next step towards home automation by switching to smart lights to illuminate every room in your house.