Believe it or not, the Internet of Things is all around us. And it has made our life pretty convenient. You want to know who’s knocking so you turn to your smartphone and check the video doorbell installed in your front door.
Or you wake up in the morning, click a few buttons on your smartphone and the smart coffee machine starts working in the kitchen and prepares your coffee by the time you reach downstairs.
Smart lighting is also possible with the help of the Internet of Things. You can control your lights from a distance, turn them off or on, or adjust their brightness through your smartphone. And it’s not just the lights in your home, it’s outdoor lighting too.
How IoT-enabled Smart Lighting Works
Understanding how smart lighting works may need some technical jargon, but we’ll go easy.
Each smart device, or in this case a light point, is equipped with a small microprocessor chip and sensor that communicate with each other. This device is then connected to the internet or Bluetooth which allows it to communicate with the central network i.e. your smartphone.
For instance, Xfinity offers both internet and TV service in a bundle, which is a perfect combination because along with managing your TV, you can control other smart appliances in your home, even the smart lights. You can read more about how it can make your life convenient.
Some smart lighting even connects to the Bluetooth in your smartphone. That way your smartphone being the central network can send commands to the smart lights in your home.
How it works is that the microprocessor in smart devices, or smart lights, allows them to be controlled by a remote central network i.e. your smartphone. The microprocessor can also collect other information such as how long has the lights been on, what is the preferred dim level, etc., and even suggest ways to improve the system’s efficiency.
For instance, if the lights in the room are turned on for so long without any occupant around, they get turned off, saving energy.
By now, you may understand how IoT-enabled smart lighting systems are useful in homes.
Why Is Smart Lighting Getting Popular Today?
Anyone who struggles to get up from their comfort place to turn on the light switch in the dark can attest to the fact that smart lighting is what they prefer. That’s because it’s become a majorly convenient part of their lives now.
There are several reasons why smart lighting is getting popular; some of them being:
It’s Convenient
Smart lighting is much more convenient than the traditional lighting system. Because you can turn the lights off or on from any part of your room, or even the world.
This is especially important if you forget to turn the lights off before leaving home or if you want to come from the office to a well-lit home.
It Offers Security
Another reason that IoT-enabled smart lighting is getting popular is because it offers security to your home. You receive alerts on your smartphone if someone tries to break into your home because these smart lights turn on when they detect movement.
Even smart lights turning on instantly as soon as they detect movement can also scare away intruders.
All this isn’t possible with the traditional lighting system, which is why smart lighting systems are becoming popular nowadays.
It Has Better Aesthetics/Designs
For homeowners who are extremely particular about indoor aesthetics or design, smart lighting is ideal for them.
With a conventional lighting system, you’re just limited to one color light. But with smart lighting, you have the option to change to multiple hues according to your moods.
How IoT-Enabled Smart Lighting Benefits
Now we are going to list the benefits of IoT-Enabled Smart Lighting that gives it the edge over traditional incandescent lighting system;
Customized According to Your Needs
When tailored to your specific needs, smart lighting can be used efficiently. Since you turn off all your lights by 10 p.m. at night, you can schedule the smart lights to be turned off then. You can even customize your smart lights to turn on when it’s getting dark outside.
Offers Security
Smart lights offer security and improved safety. For instance, if you install smart lights outside your home, they light up when movement is detected. That way you know when some unknown threat is prowling right outside your home.
Helps to Improve Focus
Studies have shown that smart lighting can create such an atmosphere that provides reduced stress levels or improved concentration. If you want, certain colors of smart lighting can help to improve your moods.
Remote Control
Of course, the best part about smart light technology is that it can be managed and controlled remotely. You don’t have to get up from your bed to turn off the hallway lights before you doze off. Instead, you can just do so from your smartphone.
Efficient Use = Lower Bills
IoT-enabled smart lighting is considered cheaper than regular incandescent lights in the long run because they’re durable and energy-efficient. As a result, this can lead to lower bills and fewer maintenance costs.
As compared to smart lighting, traditional incandescent lights seem too inefficient and wasteful.
In a Nutshell
As you can already tell from the above-mentioned points, smart lighting is all about using connected devices to control the lighting system in your home. It includes turning the lights off or on, dimming them to save energy, or even changing the color of the lights to suit your moods.
Smart lighting is quickly becoming the norm for many households. The benefits it comes with are many, but one important aspect is that it will help you save money on your energy bills!
In this article, we have listed everything you need to know about IoT-enabled smart lighting system and how it is transforming homes. Are you now ready to make the switch to an improved and better lighting system in your home?