If you’ve already smartened up the lights inside your home with Merkury smart bulbs, you’re probably wondering if you can install them outside.
After all, these bulbs offer benefits beyond aesthetics and curb appeal as they also provide increased security, safety, and of course, convenience.
But are they rated for outdoor use?
Merkury Smart bulbs can’t be used outside because they’re designed for indoor use only. Although they may work outdoors for some time, you risk damaging them as they can’t withstand harsh elements like rain, ice, and snow. Also, using them outdoors can make them exceed their temperature range.
In the rest of this article, I’ll explain comprehensively why Merkury smart bulbs aren’t recommended for outdoor use.
I’ll also show you a few alternatives you can purchase instead.
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3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use Merkury Bulbs Outside
As it turns out, Merkury smart bulbs can work when installed outside. They can be great for:
- Warding off intruders
- Keeping you from tripping
- Adding some mood to your front porch
However, there are several reasons why you shouldn’t be using them outside.
Let’s explore some of them.
1. Merkury Bulbs Were Originally Intended for Indoor Use
Like most smart bulbs, Merkury smart bulbs use technology and electronics originally designed for indoor use only.
For a smart bulb to be suitable for external or outdoor use, it must be able to stand up to harsh weather.
However, Merkury bulbs can’t handle the elements as traditional bulbs can.
Unless you live in an area where the weather is perfect, using Geeni smart bulbs from Merkury outside your house will result in a much shorter life.
Also, since the manufacturer has stated that its smart bulbs aren’t meant for outdoor use, you risk damaging them if you install them in your yard or front porch.
2. Moisture Can Damage Merkury Bulbs Not Outdoor-Rated
Moisture is the greatest enemy of any electronics, and Merkury smart bulbs are no exception.
Unless the manufacturer officially endorses a piece of electronics as waterproof or outdoor-rated, it makes sense to avoid using smart bulbs in wet conditions.
Outdoor-rated bulbs are usually designed to handle almost anything life throws at them, including rain, ice, and snow.
Rain typically causes a lot of moisture that can get into the bulbs if they’re not correctly sealed.
And since Merkury smart bulbs aren’t weatherproof, you can’t expect them to withstand these conditions.
Also, the condensing nature of snow can cause these smart bulbs to malfunction.
Overheating can also occur as a result of ice build-up around the lighting.
While some products can withstand all these, Merkury Innovations mentioned that it hadn’t tested its smart bulbs against extreme weather conditions.
So, even if they work for you, the manufacturers don’t recommend it.
3. Merkury Bulbs Have a Temperature Range Meant for Indoor Use
Using Merkury smart bulbs outside is just like rolling the dice.
You might get lucky and use it for a few days, or it may stop working the first night you install them.
Even if you get away with using Merkury smart bulbs outside, they’ll eventually get damaged due to the wrong operating conditions.
Remember, the manufacturers stated that they don’t recommend these products for outdoor use.
This means that using them outside can cause them to exceed the parameters of their operating conditions.
Generally, smart bulbs have a temperature range that’s typically around 0℃ (32℉) to 70℃ (158 ℉).
If you live in a scorching region, using these lights outside for an extended period will cause them to melt or malfunction.
Some smart bulbs may be able to operate just fine outside this temperature range.
However, there’s no way to tell if those from Merkury can since they haven’t tested their products to confirm.
Check out: Will Smart Bulbs Work in Any Fixture? 9 Lighting Facts
How Long Do Merkury Smart Bulbs Last?
Merkury Smart bulbs can last up to 22 years, according to the labels on many of their products. However, this depends on the company’s estimated average hours of daily usage, which is 3 hours. So, when used for 6 hours per day, these bulbs will only last for 11 years.
You probably won’t be using your smart bulbs for only 3 hours a day.
So, you can expect them to last even shorter than 22 years.
Let’s say you keep 1 of the Merkury bulbs in your home lit from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day for 7 days a week.
That’s a total of 8 hours per day and 56 hours per week.
If we were to go by the company’s estimation of 22 years for 3 hours of daily usage, it would last for just 9 years.
Increase that to 12 hours daily use, and you have just 6 years of product lifetime.
Also, Merkury smart bulbs only have 1 year of limited warranty, so keep that in mind when buying these lighting products.
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Outdoor Alternatives to Merkury Smart Bulbs
Since Merkury smart bulbs aren’t the best to install outside your home, you may want to look for smart light products specifically designed for this purpose.
And there are plenty of options to choose from.
Here are 4 outdoor lighting alternatives to Merkury smart bulbs that you can find on Amazon.com:
Philips Dusk-to-Dawn A19 LED Bulbs
These smart bulbs feature sensors that turn off the light at dawn and turn it on at night when the sun goes down.
This automatic on and off feature means you don’t need to keep an eye on them. They’re also great for places like your:
- Front door
- Side entrance
- Rear entry
This makes it great if you’re a busy or forgetful person.
Its biggest downside is that it’s not dimmable.
However, it produces a reliable and steady soft white glow. It only uses 8 watts of power, which saves you money over time.
The Philips A19 is designed with shatter-resistant, waterproof, and shockproof materials to make it suitable for outdoor use.
This makes it a durable smart outdoor bulb that can last for several years.
Cree Lighting BR30 LED Bulb
This bulb is one of the best outdoor lightings in the market and it’s:
- Durable
- Powerful
- Energy-efficient
Unlike the Philips A19, this smart bulb is dimmable and features wide-beamed floodlights.
It produces beautiful soft white light, equivalent to 65 watts, and helps to save about 87% more energy than traditional bulbs.
Also, it can last for about 10 years, and you get a 10-year satisfaction guarantee from the manufacturers.
SkyGenius LD-CO.4-35 LED Corn Light
You can’t go wrong with this 2,500-lumen bulb. It produces 360 degrees of constant lighting with a brightness of about 200 watts.
However, it consumes only 1/10 of the energy incandescent bulbs use.
Although it’s not dimmable, it can fit in any standard (E26) light socket. All you need to do is screw it in. It’s great for places in your home like the:
- Garage
- Warehouse
- Driveway
- Courtyard
- Patio
However, it’s not waterproof, and you’ll install an overhead cover to protect the bulb.
Ring Solar Pathlight
As its name suggests, this smart bulb uses a solar rechargeable battery rather than removable batteries or wires.
It’s suitable for adding gorgeous soft lighting to your patio, porch, or walkways to help you navigate at night.
It works with an app from which you can directly control it or set it to turn on and off automatically.
However, if you need constant lighting, it may not be your best choice. It can only light up for 15 minutes at once.
Final Thoughts
Merkury Smart bulbs are best suited for indoor use.
And while they may be fine to use outside in some cases, it’s not a recommended installation option. It also becomes your liability if anything happens to it.
There are better smart lighting options for outdoor use.
I highly recommend the Cree Lighting BR30 LED Bulb because of its durability and energy efficiency.
Other smart bulbs like the SkyGenius LED Corn Light and Philips Dusk-to-Dawn A19 Bulb are also worth considering.