Large properties often have countless light switches and fixtures! To an individual with seemingly endless lighting appliances, the idea of home lighting automationis appealing.
What if you could program all your interior lights to turn off five minutes after you go to bed, protecting your electricity bill? What if you could push a “set the mood” button before a party, dimming lights in the halls and illuminating exterior lights? Customized home lighting automation such as this is possible!
However, home lighting automation is complex. In a way, lighting automation systems are architectural structures, fashioned from multiple modules and customized to the needs of your home. Where should an interested homeowner begin? This blog is a great starting point.
Follow along as we explore three basic components of home lighting automation systems.
1. Home Lighting Automation Requires… Lighting!
You already have this component of lighting automation in your home. From accent and ceiling lights to cove and under-cabinet lighting, light fixtures are scattered throughout your house. These light fixtures are controlled by an assortment of light switches or buttons, sometimes taking up significant wall space.
For example, homes with six or seven light switches on a single wall in the kitchen forfeit nearly a foot of space to the plastic switch panel.
If you have lights and light switches, you have the first basic component of a home lighting automation system!
2. Home Lighting Automation Requires A Centralized Control System
Homes with lighting automation require one or more centralized control systems. This is home base, the structure where wires from every light fixture channel to. We call these systems “load centers.” Typically, the circuit break panel will funnel into the load center.
Homes with plentiful lighting systems benefit from two or more centralized control system. We often install these systems in garages, and we meticulously organize them for straightforward future maintenance or customization.
3. Home Lighting Automation Requires Customized Keypads
Keypads replace light switches. Replace your extensive light switch panel with a single keypad, about the size of a single light switch, equipped with multiple buttons. Each button is preprogrammed to achieve a specific setting.
For example, the first button could be called “Set the Mood,” utilized when visitors come to the house. “Goodnight” could shut off all house lights five minutes after it is pressed. “Breakfast Time” might illuminate kitchen light fixtures, while “Dinner Time” could ignite lights around your dinner table and dim all other interior lights. “Going Out” could leave one light on in the house for security purposes. The options are endless, customizable to your needs.
The Loop: Getting Started With Your Home Lighting Automation System
At The Loop, we are audio/visual systems specialists, only selling products that we have tested in the lab or actively use in our own homes. Our goal is a premium end-user experience. We utilize a digital design system to visualize the best products – and only the best products – for our clients’ specific needs.
