Smart outdoor lighting is a clear update of the way we illuminate our homes and outdoor spaces.
With the ability to control lighting remotely, schedule operations, and even integrate with other smart home systems, smart outdoor lighting offers a host of benefits that go beyond mere illumination.
This comprehensive guide will delve into the types of smart outdoor lighting, their benefits, integration with smart home systems, installation and setup, and the energy efficiency and cost savings they offer.
Types of Smart Outdoor Lighting
Smart outdoor lighting comes in various styles, including bulbs, sconces, spotlights, and floodlights. These lights offer a range of features, such as adjustable brightness and color-changing capabilities. The type of light that's best for you will depend on where you want to put the lights, how you plan to use them, and the technology you prefer to use.
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Smart Bulbs
Smart bulbs are a simple and cost-effective way to upgrade your existing outdoor lighting fixtures. They can be installed into your current exterior fixtures and controlled via an app. Some smart bulbs, like the Cync Smart Outdoor Flood Light Bulbs, offer high brightness levels and a wide range of colors. They are compatible with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free control.
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Smart String Lights
Smart string lights, such as the Govee Smart Outdoor String Lights, are a fun and welcoming way to dress up your porch or patio. These lights come with color-changing LED bulbs that you can manage from a companion app or by using voice-control with smart assistants.
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Smart Spotlights and Floodlights
Smart spotlights and floodlights are excellent for enhancing security and highlighting specific features in your yard. They can be controlled remotely and can be programmed to react to motion, making them a great choice for enhancing home security.
Benefits of Smart Outdoor Lighting
Smart outdoor lighting offers several benefits, including convenience, security, easy maintenance, and the ability to transform your home's exterior.
Convenience
Smart lighting systems easily integrate with the rest of your home’s technology. This means you can control your outdoor lighting directly from the devices you use every day, such as your smartphone or tablet.
Enhanced Security
Smart lighting systems can be pre-programmed to come on automatically, adding an extra layer of security to your home. You can also receive notifications on your phone if there is a malfunction or something wrong with the lighting system while you’re away.
Easy Maintenance
Smart outdoor lighting systems are easy to maintain. They come with various color options, which means you can easily give your home a new look at night with just the touch of a button. There's no need to change bulbs, just the settings.
Transformation of Your Home
Smart outdoor lighting can transform the look and feel of your home’s exterior. It can re-establish the look that exists by day, but with an elegant nighttime ambiance. You can have multiple lighting systems working, and control each from your remote location.
5 Best Outdoor Smart Lighting Solutions
RING Floodlight Cam
Enhance your home security with the Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus. This advanced security camera features 1080p HD video, customizable motion zones, and two-way talk for real-time communication. The motion-activated LED floodlights and 105dB security siren provide added deterrence.
With color night vision, easy DIY installation, and compatibility with Alexa, it offers around-the-clock protection. The camera is part of the Ring ecosystem, allowing seamless integration with other devices for a comprehensive smart home security solution. Experience peace of mind with this sleek and powerful security upgrade.
RING A19 Led Bulb
The Ring A19 Smart LED bulb replaces standard bulbs, emitting 800 lumens (60W equivalent) in indoor or covered outdoor fixtures. To unlock smart features like mobile notifications, it requires a Ring Bridge, Echo (4th Gen), or Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen). Once connected, users can set schedules, customize settings, and integrate with other Ring devices via the Ring app.
With an estimated 25,000-hour lifespan and $1.02 yearly energy cost, it's energy-efficient. The bulb is compatible with Alexa for voice control and can be integrated into a Ring of Security system for comprehensive home monitoring.
RING Smart Lighting
Illuminate your surroundings with the Ring Smart Lights Starter Kit, featuring a powerful battery-powered spotlight that activates with 400 Lumens of brightness upon detecting motion. The kit includes a Ring Bridge for indoor placement, allowing customized settings and seamless connectivity with other Ring devices via the Ring app.
With a hassle-free wire-free design and quick installation, these spotlights enhance security by brightening driveways, patios, and yards. Easily integrate with Ring doorbells and cameras for a comprehensive home security system, and enjoy voice control with Alexa when connected to the Ring Bridge.
RING Solar Pathlight
Emitting 80 lumens upon motion detection, the solar-powered Ring Smart Light is a modern way to enlighten your pathways. This Starter Kit includes a Ring Bridge for enhanced smart features like mobile notifications, scheduling, and remote control via the Ring app.
Effortless setup involves connecting to the Ring Bridge, customizing settings, and placing the light in your desired location. Harness the power of the sun for recharging. With Alexa compatibility, control the lights with your voice. Create a comprehensive Ring of Security by connecting Solar Security Cameras, lights and other Ring devices through the app.
RING Solar Steplight
Light up your steps and walkways with the solar-powered Ring Smart Light, emitting 50 lumens upon motion detection. The Starter Kit includes a Ring Bridge for seamless integration of smart features. Once connected, enjoy mobile notifications, scheduling, and customization through the Ring app. Setting up is a breeze – connect to the Ring Bridge, customize settings, and place it in your preferred spot.
Powered by the sun, it recharges in direct sunlight. Enhance your home security with Alexa compatibility, allowing voice control through the Ring Bridge and seamless integration with other Ring devices via the Ring app.
Integration with Smart Home Systems
Smart outdoor lighting can seamlessly integrate with smart home systems. For instance, Luxor technology integrates with leading home automation solutions like Lutron, Crestron, Control4, and Savant. This integration allows you to control your outdoor lighting along with other smart devices in your home.
Installation and Setup
Setting up smart outdoor lighting requires some preliminary checks, such as ensuring the lights are compatible with your home and that your Wi-Fi connection is strong enough. Once these checks are done, the lights can be installed and connected to your Wi-Fi network. You can then configure the settings in the app and pair the lights with compatible smart speakers and other devices.
Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
Smart outdoor lighting is not only convenient and versatile but also energy-efficient. The LED lights used in smart lighting systems are known for their energy efficiency, which can lead to significant cost savings over time.
Smart Outdoor Lighting for Smart Homes: Takeaway
Smart outdoor lighting is a valuable addition to any home. It offers convenience, enhances security, and can transform the look of your home. With the ability to integrate with other smart home systems, it provides a seamless and efficient way to control your home's lighting.
Whether you're looking to enhance your home's security, create a certain ambiance, or simply want a more convenient way to control your lighting, smart outdoor lighting is a great choice.
Smart Outdoor Lighting for Smart Homes: FAQs
Can smart lights be used outside?
Yes, smart lights can be used outside. Smart outdoor lights are designed for use around your house or yard and can connect to the internet for additional features, including dimming, brightness and color adjustments, timers and scheduling, and remote control through an app or voice commands.
How do smart outdoor lights work?
Smart outdoor lights work by connecting to the internet, allowing for greater customization, automation, and versatility than traditional standard lights. They can be automated to turn on or off at scheduled times and controlled remotely via a smartphone app.
What lighting is best for outdoor lighting?
The best lighting for outdoor lighting includes smart bulbs, string lights, spotlights, and floodlights. The type of light that's best for you will depend on where you want to put the lights, how you plan to use them, and the technology you prefer to use.
How do you automate outdoor lights?
You can automate outdoor lights by using smart lighting systems, which can be programmed to turn on or off at scheduled times, react to motion, or operate based on triggers that you program in the app.
Are LED lights OK for outside?
Yes, LED lights are suitable for outdoor use. They are known for their energy efficiency and are commonly used in smart outdoor lighting systems, which can lead to significant cost savings over time.
What happens if you use indoor LED lights outside?
Using indoor LED lights outside can lead to damage due to exposure to the elements. It's important to use LED lights that are specifically designed for outdoor use to ensure durability and safety.
Do smart lights use power when off?
Smart lights may consume a small amount of power when in standby mode to maintain their connection to the network. However, this power consumption is minimal and should not significantly impact energy usage.
Do Philips smart bulbs work outside?
Yes, Philips smart bulbs are available for outdoor use. For example, the Phillips Hue Calla Smart Pathway Bollard Light Base Kit is designed for outdoor installation and offers excellent colors and powerful features.
What LED light is best for outdoors?
The best LED light for outdoor use depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some popular options include smart bulbs, string lights, spotlights, and floodlights, which offer various features and capabilities.
What is the best outdoor lighting without electricity?
Solar-powered outdoor lights are a great option for outdoor lighting without electricity. These lights harness the power of the sun to provide illumination and can be easily installed in areas without access to electrical outlets.
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