EXPERT INSIGHT
Use smart lighting to refresh your home
Giuliano Ghidini from Signify UKI turns us on to the benefits of ditching the conventional on-off switch
Arguably one of the greatest inventions of the 19th century, the light bulb has changed our lives. Today, smart lighting is transforming homes into something completely unique to the people living in it. From changing a room from a study to a home cinema with one tap, to choosing the right light setting to help you concentrate better or relax after a tough day, smart lighting can do so much. Smart lights replace your existing incandescent bulbs.
In general, the extent of the functionality of traditional home lighting is confined to conventional light bulbs that work by turning on and off by flipping a switch, or hardwiring them into a dimmer switch. Smart lighting, on the other hand, allows you to have more control over your lights by allowing you to tweak the colour via your smartphone, brighten or dim the bulb or even switch it on or off. They are still connected to your home’s power, but each smart bulb and Led-integrated fixture allows you to control it wirelessly with your phone, tablet or smart assistant, such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. It’s no surprise that smart lights are one of the most popular smart home devices right now. The smart lighting market, according to market research firm Statista, is projected to be worth well over $105 billion by next year, up from $8.68 billion in 2018. They give you access to mood lighting in an instant.
Traditional bulbs require you to use a switch to control the lights – and nothing else. If you want to be able to dim your lights, you need to wire a dimmer switch into your wall. Smart LED lights, however, can be controlled via the app or other smart accessories. What’s more, preset and customised light scenes create ambiance for any occasion, whether you’re using warm-to-cool white light or colour LED lights, all you have to do is tap a button.
They’re hugely energy-efficient. With a long and sustainable life, smart LED bulbs last much longer and generate less heat than the original light bulbs, thus using less energy. You can use a smart lighting system to expand your home’s connectivity. Using your smart lighting system with other connected devices such as cameras, audio equipment, thermostats or home assistants allows you to create a connected smart home. Smart LED bulbs can be configured individually or as a group. You can set timers that automatically turn off all the lights at a specific time or configure your lights to turn on and off when you’re not at home, mimicking your presence.