What Is a Smart Lighting Switch?

When it comes to smart home devices and systems, smart lighting is a must-have. Whether you want to upgrade your living space to something more modern, save energy, or just want to experience the convenience of smart lighting, there are plenty of reasons and ways you can add it to your list of smart home gadgets.

A smart lighting switch is one of the devices that makes it possible to upgrade your lighting, often without a lot of effort or expense.

All about smart lighting

Smart lighting is one of the capabilities of a smart home automation system. With smart lighting, you can automate your lighting or control it remotely with a smartphone or smart home system panel.

Smart lighting typically consists of LED light bulbs, such as Philips Hue bulbs, that are connected to Wi-Fi, which is how they’re able to be controlled remotely. Smart lighting systems offer many benefits that can enhance the ambiance, convenience, and energy efficiency of any home.

With smart lighting, you can also:

• Turn lights on and off or dim from wherever you are via your app
• Automate lighting and timers so your lights turn on or off at specific times
• Create room groups, like “kitchen” or “living room lights”
• Control your lights with voice commands from your via smart speaker assistants like Google Home
• Set your lighting to respond to certain triggers , such as turning lights on when you unlock your front door
• Integrate with other features of your smart home system, like turning outdoor lights on when your camera’s motion sensors are activated
• Turn lamps into smart lights with the Smart Plug, extending the benefits of smart lighting to your lamps
• Enhance your home’s outdoor security by installing lights with motion sensors
• Improve outdoor safety with pathlights that illuminate the walkway for visitor
• Help deter lurkers on your property with outdoor lighting devices that feature Smart Deter™ to proactively protect your home
• Use color-changing hue lights to create different moods or holiday themes

With smart lighting, you can create a fully automated home that also helps you save energy. LED bulbs last longer and use less energy than incandescent lights, so you’ll save money on your bill and replace bulbs less often.

What is a smart switch?

Smart lighting systems offer many benefits, but depending on the functionality and type of system used, can be somewhat limiting. Most smart lighting involves either smart bulbs or smart wall plates. Smart bulbs are easy to install, but require constant power, so your wall switch/dimmer switch always needs to be in the “on” position to operate.

If you want to control your smart lighting with your wall, you would need to have an in-wall smart dimmer switches or plate, which requires an electrician (or pretty advanced electrical knowledge for DIY).

Smart lighting switch benefits

By integrating smart light switches with your home's ecosystem, you could have greater flexibility and control.  Depending on the features of your smart light switch, potential benefits could include:

• Greater control. Depending on your smart switch, you may be able to control your smart lights from the wall plate, as well as with your phone or via voice commands.
• Simplicity. Many smart light switches are simple to install and simple to use, with one-touch control anyone can operate. If installation is less DIY-friendly for a given model, professional installation can help keep things simple for you.
• Aesthetically pleasing. Most smart switches have a sophisticated and simple design will blend into your home’s existing decor.
• Compatibility. You can find smart light switches that are compatible with various switch types, fitting over rocker or toggle switches with various gang amounts. (Fun fact: a “gang” describes the number of switches on a wall plate.
• Expand your smart home capabilities. Extend your light control beyond just the light switch with voice control or remote control via the switch's app.
• Dim lights. Many smart light switches are also dimmable, so you can dim your lights from your phone or from the wall switch.

Smart light switch FAQs

Q: What type of switches are available?

A: You can find many varieties of smart light switch on the market today. Look for a switch that works with the existing switches in your home, from rocker- or toggle-style switches and multi-gang configurations. 

Q: Can I still control my lights from the wall switch?

A: Potentially. Some smart light switches require you to always leave your lights in the "On" position so power is running to the light. If you want to control your lights from the wall switch, look for a smart light switch that allows you to operate via the wall switch and an app or voice control.

Ready to make your smart home?

Smart light switches are one part of a broader smart home. With a smart home security system from Vivint, you can keep an eye on things from anywhere and remotely control your thermostat and cameras through the Vivint app.

If you don’t already have a Vivint system, you can start customizing your own today. Give us a call at 855.822.1220 to get started.