Get your home up to speed with smart lighting

Our world is more connected than ever, with nearly 30 million smart home devices in the U.S. in 2017. On the other hand, if you haven’t already taken the plunge, smart lighting is one of the easiest ways to get up to speed.

“Even the most technology-averse consumer can appreciate enhanced security and convenience,” said Bryant Bilal, PE, marketing manager at Eaton’s lighting division. “Smart lighting is a simple, affordable way to reap the benefits of smart home technology without creating complexity or sacrificing style.”

Here are seven ways smart lighting makes life better at home.

1. Smart lighting bolsters home security. For example, owners can cycle or schedule smart lights on and off to simulate occupancy and deter would-be intruders when they are out of town. The technology also helps ensure safe home entry at night with scheduled porch lighting.
2. It saves valuable time for busy homeowners and families. How many times have you rushed out the door, only to wonder whether you turned off the lights or the stove? With smart lighting, owners can control the lighting in their home using a smartphone. Smart lighting systems also provide easy on/off scheduling options to save time and hassle.
3. It improves the energy efficiency of a home. LED smart lighting uses much less electricity than traditional incandescent light bulbs (approximately 9.5W versus 60W). Smart lighting systems also give owners the ability to dim brightness and more, using just the right amount and intensity of light and only when you need it.
4. Smart light bulbs lower lifetime product costs. Smart LEDs have a longer life than traditional light bulbs, meaning less frequent replacements. LEDs can last up to 50,000 hours compared to 1,000 or 2,000 hours for incandescent bulbs — and features such as on/off scheduling and dimming capabilities extend the life of smart light bulbs even further.
5. Smart lighting systems make homes more beautiful and comfortable. Not just for tech junkies and early adopters, smart lighting is perfect for homeowners who put style and design first. Because it is flexible, smart lighting is delivered to spaces in a more beautiful, pleasing way. Features like color changing, white tuning and dimming control allow users to increase the aesthetic appeal of a room with the touch of a button.
6. They help create the perfect experience for homeowners and guests. Smart lights can be manipulated for specific situations and even personalized at an individual level. For example, owners can create special lighting scenes for family movie night or a romantic dinner by dimming the lights and selecting the desired color temperature.
7. They promote a healthier life. Owners of smart lighting systems can schedule timers for waking up or going to sleep and change the color temperature of smart light bulbs to align with natural circadian rhythms.

We talked with Bilal about Eaton’s new smart LED lighting system, Halo Home, and how to automate home lighting. This system features recessed LED lighting modules (RLs) that owners can retrofit into existing recessed housings. An Anyplace Switch provides easy control of the modules and can be installed anywhere on the wall.

“Above all, Halo Home is easy to use,” Bilal said. “This makes it the perfect fit for homeowners who appreciate things like home security and beautiful spaces but are rarely first to jump on the technology bandwagon.”

Bluetooth® mesh eliminates the need for internet integration or an external hub; owners can simply install a smart recessed downlight and download the Halo Home app to their smartphone device. The app walks owners through a few easy steps to connect the system and also provides an optional tutorial after installation. Within the app, screens are simplified to minimize clutter and confusion. In addition, the system’s Anyplace Switch allows for easy use when the primary smartphone device is unavailable. True to its name, this switch can be placed anywhere and be paired with any number of Halo Home smart lights.

“The beauty of this system is that the lights can be purchased and operated individually with the free Halo Home app,” Bilal said. “That means people can get started for as little as $28 for one light.” Want to add the Anyplace Switch? This increased control sets owners back by as little as $45.

“Advanced smart lighting systems used to cost thousands of dollars,” Bilal said. “Today, homeowners can get the whole package for less than $500. And the best part? They can have it set up and ready to go in minutes.”