Home Automation

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Home automation is the residential extension of building automation.

It is automation of the home, housework or household activity.

Home automation may include centralized control of lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), appliances, security locks of gates and doors and other systems, to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and security.

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I don't know if it makes more sense to get Smart Switches or Smart Bulbs (alien.top)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I have an old house (built in 1970s) so I am guessing my light switches don't have modern wiring. I need to check when I get home. I don't know if/how this impacts which route I should go.

I don't necessarily care about the ability to change the colors of my light bulbs (although being able to change the temperature between 2700k-6500k would be nice).

I primarily want the ability to turn my lights on/off/dimmed without having to walk to the switch. My house has the light switches in not very convenient places which requires one to walk through dark rooms to turn them on/off which is annoying.

If I do just get light switches, is there a general recommendation? Is Caseta by Lutron a good option or is there something else that is generally recommended?

Lastly, if I wanted to add some sort of TV backlighting, would this potentially require me to get some sort of hub or can this also be controlled through smart switches?

Thanks

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

If you want to change color temperature, a smart bulb is the only real practical way. But still a compromise in usability.

If you don't, then smart switches on a proper mesh protocol (thread, zigbee, zwave; not wifi) is the only answer. That way everything just works as everyone expects. There is no user training. You don't have to worry about your automation not working because somebody turned the switch off. Everything just works like you are used to, but now they are also smart.