Why You Want Professional Lighting Automation, Not DIY Smart Bulbs
Why Whole-Home Lighting Control Is Best Handled by the Pros
Are you interested in those color-changing lights that people control through their phones?
Yes, there are DIY smart bulbs available on Amazon or stores like The Home Depot. These smart lights connect to an app through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing you to adjust the brightness or color of your lighting with a slide of a finger.
But while these smart bulbs are fine for someone who wants a few to play with, if you desire whole-home control and reliable automation, you’ll want a more advanced system. DIY gadgets may seem like an easy, cost-efficient option, but they’re often more trouble than they’re worth.
Why? Let’s compare DIY smart lights and professional lighting automation to help you find the best solution for your Napa County, CA, home.
SEE ALSO: The Importance of Lighting Design
DIY Lighting Control
Let’s start with the positives: DIY smart lights are easy to install. You simply take them out of the box and screw them in. They’re relatively simple to set up on your smartphone. And they’re cheap!
Now for the drawbacks…
Inconsistent Performance
Off-the-shelf smart lights often fail to remember the settings you last created on the app. Turn your lights on, and they may start flashing or activate the ultra-bright factory setting. You’ll spend several minutes fixing the settings in your phone, which can get irritating after the second, third, or fourth time.
Incompatibility Between Brands
If you don’t have a centralized lighting control system, you’re going to run into incompatibility issues if you mix different brands. This happens because smart bulbs from different brands don’t communicate with each other. You’ll be left switching between different smart lighting apps on your phone, which require their own passwords to remember and sign into. It’s a hassle!
Cumbersome Control
Most DIY smart lights can only be controlled via a smartphone app. While that’s expected, it can become tiring depending on your phone so heavily. Sometimes you need a break from your device.
Instead, professionally-installed systems offer more control options, including handheld remotes, smart wall keypads, and voice control solutions placed throughout the home.
Unreliable Connectivity
Most basic smart LEDs rely on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to perform. This means waiting for the lights to pair with your device, which can slow down the experience.
Professional Lighting Control Systems
A centralized smart system requires a professional installation, which, yes, will have a greater upfront cost. But a professional system offers far greater control, sophistication, and customization.
If you’re imagining seamlessly adjusting the mood of every room in the house, a lighting automation system is what you really want. Here’s why:
Centralized System
Home automation systems are designed to integrate fixtures and hardware from different third-party brands. This all-in-one approach means you only need one platform to control all the keypads, LEDs, linear lights, and motorized shades in your house. We can even expand to integrate home security, audio speakers, TVs, climate control, and more.
Control from Anywhere
Want to turn on the indoor lights as you pull into the driveway? Or activate lights while you’re away from home? Professional automation systems can include remote access, allowing you to activate your home technology from anywhere through your smartphone.
Performance You Can Depend On
Unlike finicky Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, a hardwired control system reliably works when you need it. Fixtures are wired to the control system, while you wirelessly control the lights through steady radio frequency (RF). You don’t have to worry about standing close enough to the device or if your Wi-Fi is working. It works as reliably as the on/off light switches you use already.
Ready for Smarter Home Lighting Control?
Upgrade your home’s lighting today with a new lighting system from Hood Branco. We provide lighting system installations across Napa County, California. Contact our smart home experts here to learn more and get started today!
