Automation

[George K]

For the last 5-6 years, I've used "smart" lightbulbs in our condo. The master bedroom doesn't have any, nor does the kitchen.

However, in the living area, we have 4 ceiling cans - 3 above where the piano sits, and one above where my desk sits. Scattered table and floor lamps as well.

The other thing that's on the system is our EcoBee thermostat.

I'm amazed at how much I enjoy the ability to control the lights with a command to Siri (or Alexa if that's your thing). But the even nicer thing is the automation of having various "scenes" activate at different times of the day. I have a morning "scene," an afternoon "scene," an evening "scene" and a nighttime (sleep) scene. The thermostat is also linked, so that I can have it adjust to whatever time of day I want.

So, I have a scene where I can turn on the cans above the piano to 100% for when I feel like annoying Mrs. George.

Aside from the scenes, I can tell Siri "Turn up the lights" or "Turn all the lights off." Or, "Siri, turn the office light (the one above my desk) to 100%."

The bulbs aren't cheap, but, I don't remember the last time I changed a lightbulb.

Anyone else use this (or the Alexa/Google equivalent)?

[Mik]

Daughter’s apartment in Vegas has voice activated blinds and lights. I got rather used to it.

[George K]

The voice activation is nice, but the only time I use it is when I have a piano lesson, or I want everything turned up to 100% for our cleaning service.

Otherwise, it's all automated, and "override-able."

"Siri, turn the temperature down to 68 degrees..."

[89th]

That’s great. Would love automated blinds, but we have shutters so it’s not feasible.

We use smart bulbs on our back porch, they turn on and off with the sunrise/sunset.

Similarly and most importantly our garage exterior lights also turn on 1 hour before sunset and off 1 hour after sunrise. It keeps me from needing to turn on/off the garage lights at night. Also I can change the color so I do that on holidays like Halloween I make them black and orange.

And come Christmas time, everything is automated. The tree lights, the mantel decorations, the Christmas lights outside, etc…

[Mik]

Yeah, I have sensor bulbs too. Have for years.

[Rainman]

Yeah, for living room lights only.

[taiwan_girl]

Well, I guess one of my staff has his only job to turn the lights how I want them, so I guess it is automated in a way. 555

(Actually, I dont have any automated lights. Still do it the "old fashioned" way.)