Should You Do A DIY Lighting Control Automation Project Or Call In A Specialist?

Automated lighting controls constitute a rising trend worldwide, and for all the good reasons. Not only do these solutions enable you to adjust the illumination of your home in an extremely convenient manner, but they also help you save hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars a year on the utility bills. At the same time, a smart system on your porch is likely to deter potential crimes, therefore improving the safety of your residence, and finally it adds massively to the value of your home.

But one question remains: is installing a lighting automation system something you can handle yourself, or do you require expert assistance? We’ll help you decide, and here are the questions you should ask yourself.

How large is your home?

If your current residence is a small condo, then you could always get a glimpse of what the very basic automated lighting systems imply. Commercially available wireless light bulbs are some of the best ways to test the waters and determine if you should upgrade to larger, more complex system of control.

On the other hand, if you’re the proud owner of two-storey property that already features fancy illumination appliances like chandeliers, for instance, then switching to wireless light bulbs would be counterproductive. Also, due to the difficulty of installing a complex automation solution, handling it DIY does not represent a feasible option.

Do you only want to automate the lighting?

Modern home automation solutions allow you control virtually every appliance in the household, not only the lights. With the help of a ready to use system, automation confers you access to everything from the kitchen’s garbage disposal to the thermostat, humidifier, AC, so on and so forth. Naturally, the difficulty of installing and setting up such a comprehensive solution is innately higher than if you’re only looking to automate the lighting.

Would you prefer automated accessories or an integrated control system?

From a control method standpoint, you have two options: switching to automated (in this case, the light bulbs) or connecting standard light bulbs to an automating interface. The former option provides limited access to the functionality of the lights and relies on wireless led bulbs, whereas the latter implies extensive means of control over the entire lighting system via keypads, remotes and applications, even over the internet.

Are you and your family members tech-savvy smart device users?

Think about how well your family members know their way around smartphones and tablets. Do these devices represent the ideal method of lighting control for them? If there are elderly relatives sharing your home, they may be reluctant to learn the intricacies of modern gadgets, which in turn means your new automated lighting system will often go unused.

Calling a professional team, on the other hand allows you to choose personalized, easy to use remote access like keypads, in-wall touch-controls, dimmers, etc., in addition of course to the mobile apps.

What would you rather save: Time or money?

Finally, it also boils down to whether you possess the time to spend on the project, because even installing the basic solutions has a relatively steep learning curve. When you’re constantly working overtime and barely get to relax and rest over the weekend, you probably won’t want to spend your time browsing through complicated manuals.