The rapid advance of technology has consistently bought us new products that are more intelligent and more energy-safe than ever.
Smart bulbs are no exception, and are quickly becoming the standard in newer homes.
But can smart bulbs be used in old houses with outdated fixtures?
Smart bulbs will work in any light socket that they can be screwed into. You don’t have to have a special kind of fixture for a smart bulb to work. As long as the fixture is the same diameter as the smart bulb you wish to install, the smart bulb will work just fine.
If you have more questions about smart bulbs and where to use them, then continue reading.
In the following paragraphs, we’ll take a look at 9 essential lighting facts that everyone should be aware of before making any light purchases.
Things To Keep in Mind Before Installing Smart Bulbs in Your Home
Smart light bulbs are an excellent way to save money on your energy bill. These lights also last much longer than regular bulbs.
Smart bulbs are also better for the environment than traditional bulbs are.
There are things to keep in mind before making the switch. Listed below are some of these things so that you can make a more informed decision.
1. Anyone Can Install and Use a Smart Bulb
The process of installing and activating a smart light bulb isn’t a highly complex procedure.
As long as you have a stool or ladder capable of reaching the height of your light bulb socket, you can even install smart bulbs yourself.
All you need to do to install a smart bulb is remove the old bulb and put the new one in. The smart bulb will immediately work as a regular light bulb.
To activate the intelligent features of a smart bulb are a little more complicated but possible if you follow directions.
Depending on the brand of light bulb you switch to, you can connect your smart bulb directly to wifi.
In situations where your smart bulb doesn’t connect directly to wifi, you can use Bluetooth, or you may have to purchase a Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Bridge from Amazon.com.
This hub or bridge acts as a connector between your home’s wifi and the smart bulb itself.
2. Make Sure You Know How To Use Your Smart Bulbs
It would be a good idea to know if the brand of smart bulb you are purchasing can connect directly to wifi or if you need to buy a hub as well.
It’s a terrible feeling to get home and realize that you need to go straight back to the store and make another purchase.
Doing your research beforehand will prevent this from happening and allow you to make the best smart bulb decision for your house.
3. Smart Bulbs Are Available in a Variety of Colors
Not only do smart bulbs come in a variety of different colors, but many of them come with built-in variations.
For example, depending on the type and brand, a single smart bulb can be switched to different colors depending on the mood you want to set.
Smart bulbs also have different brightness levels. If a smart bulb is too bright for a specific room, you can purchase a smart bulb with varying brightness levels.
This feature will save you money so that you don’t have to buy multiple bulbs and test each one’s brightness.
Check out: Why Are Smart Bulbs So Dim? 5 Real Reasons & Solutions
4. Know Where To Buy Your Smart Bulbs
Smart bulbs are readily available in a variety of locations.
They can be bought anywhere from LE WiFi Smart LED Light Bulbs from Amazon.com to Lowe’s to your local hardware store.
Smart bulbs are quickly becoming the industry standard and are available in all major lighting stores.
5. You Should Know What the Proper Application Is for a Smart Bulb
Smart bulbs are great and can be used anywhere in your home, but there are certain places where they can be put to better use than others.
Along a driveway or lane
Exterior lighting is one of the most convenient places to have smart lighting and along your driveway or lane is no exception.
Smart lights in these places allow you to turn your lights on and off from any location.
If you are in bed and hear a noise outside, it’s not always fast or convenient to go to where the light switch is and activate your driveway lights.
However, with smart lights, you can do it right from your phone and make sure nothing is amiss.
On a patio or deck
Light switches on patios and decks are not always easily accessible.
You may want to kill the lights quickly or turn them on without having to get up from your rocking chair.
Smart lights allow you to do this quickly and conveniently using your smartphone or with a simple voice command.
In a barn or shop
If you own a detached barn, garage, or workshop of any sort, smart lights can be a lifesaver.
It’s easy to come in from your barn or garage and forget to turn off the lights.
That moment when you look out your window and see illumination coming from your workshop is a bad one.
Smart lighting will save time and energy and allow you to turn those lights off with the push of a button on your phone.
While there isn’t a wrong place for smart lights, the above list is a great place to start if you’re thinking about making the switch to smart lighting.
You may also wonder: Can Merkury smart bulbs be used outside?
6. Check To See if You Need an Adapter
Occasions can arise where you want to install a smart bulb in a spot where the socket is too big or small.
If the smart bulb you wish to install isn’t readily available in the size that you need, an adapter is a good option.
Light bulb adapters allow you to have more options with your smart lighting.
Certain adapters can even be used in places with an outlet plug but not a light socket.
You can plug your adapter into the outlet and screw the smart bulb into the adapter socket.
7. Smart Bulbs Work Differently With Dimmer Switches
An essential feature about smart bulbs and their only downsides is that they don’t always work well with dimmer switches.
Most smart bulbs come with a manual dimming feature.
When you try to match this up with a light switch equipped with its dimmer, the two dimmers can clash, resulting in flickering lights.
To avoid this, ensure that you don’t install a smart bulb where a dimmer switch controls it.
The other option is to change both the lightbulb and the light switch and update both to smart status.
8. You Don’t Need WiFi To Use Smart Bulbs
Wifi is the best and most reliable way to control your smart bulbs, but there are ways around wifi if you don’t have access to it.
Buying bulbs with Bluetooth capabilities is a good option if you have a smartphone capable of pairing to the bulb.
Bluetooth capabilities are also convenient if the power goes out.
Your wifi router needs the power to operate, and if the power is out, you will be without wifi. Bluetooth is a good backup option, even if you do have wifi.
9. Smart Bulbs Might Outlast Your Old Bulbs
How long your smart bulb lasts is dependent on the type of bulb you purchase and how much you use it.
Smart bulbs are 90% more efficient than traditional bulbs. The odds are very high that your smart bulb will last significantly longer than non-smart bulbs.
Final Thoughts
Smart bulbs can be an excellent purchase for your home, but they are also not always necessary.
If your current lighting is getting the job done and you’re not worried about your electric bill, then it may not be worth the time and money to switch to smart bulbs.
If you decide to switch to smart bulbs, make sure you do your research and get the ones you need.
Wifi connectivity, brightness levels, and dimming capabilities are all critical to keep in mind when making your purchase.
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