What is smart lighting?
Completely new to the world of smart lighting? Then this article’s for you. Read on to find out what smart lighting is, how it works, what the benefits are and how much it’s likely to cost.
What is smart lighting?
Smart lighting allows you to control your lights from your smartphone. Depending on the type of smart light you have, you can change the tone or colour of the bulb, dim the lights or turn multiple lights off at once.
With some smart lighting systems, like Hive’s, you can also use other smart devices to control your lights automatically. Like getting smart sensors to switch lights on and off when you move into – or out of – a room.
How does smart lighting work?
Smart lighting works by connecting to a hub that is plugged into your internet router. The smart hub basically acts as a bridge between the lights in your home and the app on your phone.
So as long as your WiFi is working at home – and you have internet wherever you are – you can control your lights remotely.
You can also manage your smart lighting using voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant if you can’t get to the Hive app.
What are the benefits of smart lighting?
Easy control
With smart lighting you can get your lights exactly how you want them from wherever you are. Or use the app to set schedules so they go on and off at just the right times.
Energy saving
Your app will always tell you if you’ve left any lights on – then you can turn them off if you need to.
Peace of mind
There are some great smart lighting features out there for security. For example, with our Hive Lights you can enable Mimic mode which turns lights on and off in a random pattern when you’re away. So it looks like someone’s in.
Simple setup
Smart lights have the same fixtures as standard light bulbs. To install them, just take out the old and screw in the new! Use your app to link them with your home WiFi and in a couple of minutes you’re all set.
What you need for a smart lighting system
All you need to set up Hive smart lighting is the Hive app, a Hive Hub and the smart bulbs of your choice. Our app also works with Philips Hue bulbs. You can even make lighting groups containing a mix of Hive and Philips Hue.
What is the best smart home lighting?
Well, it might not come as too much of a shock for us to tell you that Hive Lights are some of the best around! Here’s why. We have one of the widest ranges of bulbs out there including standard lights, spotlights and candlelight bulbs. Plus, as we mentioned earlier, it’s easy to connect them with other smart devices and create your own smart home ecosystem.
We focus on smart light bulbs for inside the home, but if you are looking for smart lighting solutions for outside, check out Philips Hue.
Is smart lighting better than traditional lighting?
Even though smart lighting costs more up front, in the long term it will help you save. Smart lights require 5 times less energy than standard halogen bulbs, while being able to dim your lights can help you reduce your energy bills even more. And of course, the less energy your lights are using, the kinder it is on the environment.
As well as being energy efficient, smart lighting has so much more functionality than traditional lighting, especially when you start linking your lights with other smart devices.
There’s no doubt that most homes of the future will all be lit with smart lighting systems. So why not start now?
Check our website for an in-depth look at all the smart home devices in the Hive family – and all the ways you can get your home working around you!
