Does Automated Lighting Save You Money?

The first generation of automated lighting products played an important role in helping homeowners to reduce energy demand. Motion sensors placed on light bulbs allowed lights only to be turned on when movement is detected in a room. In many cases, however, the constant turning off and on of light bulbs in places where people were continually moving was not only a nuisance but could increase energy usage. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends leaving lights on if you will only be out of the room for 15 minutes, as the switching on and off of lights can increase overall energy usage. Recently, smart light bulbs, using LED technology, have allowed for customizable home lighting solutions. It can be scheduled and controlled remotely by homeowners through apps that work with their home Wi-Fi system. Unfortunately, smart light bulbs are considerably more expensive than regular LEDs. Replacing every light in your home with a smart bulb can be a sizeable investment. Smart lighting controls are widely considered the most cost-effective way to control all of your home's lights through a mobile app or smart home system. The average U.S. household has at least 45 light bulbs in their homes. Smart lighting control systems can help you avoid the need to replace every light—likely a more expensive option than simply replacing a few switches.

Does Automated Lighting Increase Home Security?

Besides helping to reduce energy demand and increase energy efficiency in our homes, Wi-Fi lighting controls can also play an important role in improving overall home security. A recent Gallup Crime Survey found that 37 percent of Americans “say there is an area within a mile of where they live where they would be afraid to walk alone at night.” That number increases to 45 percent for women. Coming home at night to a dark home can increase vulnerability to crime. However, leaving your lights on for 8 to 10 hours while you are at work comes with a heavy environmental and economic footprint.

Smart light switches allow homeowners to remotely activate the lights in their home 10-15 minutes before they arrive. This solution offers the best of both worlds, increasing the sense of security while also minimizing the electricity demand. There are an estimated 2.5 million burglaries each year, two-thirds of which are home break-ins. An estimated 85 percent of these home break-ins are committed by “non-professional thieves,” which suggests that the presence of exterior lights can act as a sufficient deterrent to protect your home.