Some folks prefer having real physical buttons, and the utility added by mobile apps and fancy color options isn’t worth the hassle introduced by smart bulbs. Picking a smart light switch or smart bulb will vary depending on your level of comfort with tech. Should I get a smart light switch or a smart bulb?
Nest light switch timer how to#
Check out our guide on how to install a light switch for more details. If your light switch doesn’t have one, you’ll need to shop around for an alternative. Many smart timers will require a common wire, or c-wire, for a consistent power supply. In short, you’ll need to turn off the power to the outlet at your breaker, disconnect the old light switch, and attach the new one with the same wiring. Smart timers come with installation instructions, but if you’re uncomfortable working with electronics, you’re better off contacting a licensed electrician to do it for you. It requires a bit of work to install, but once done, you can set schedules, employ dimming, and pair with your phone for remote control. Smart light switches are among the best ways to put a timer on a light. This may be preferable for remote set-ups that lack internet access or for people who haven’t embraced smart home tech. That said, some timers can bake that feature into the unit, making it exclusively hardware-controlled so you don’t have to worry about mobile apps or wireless connections. Finding hardware controls for timers is rarer, since it adds quite a bit of complication. Often enough, smart light switches have timer features built into them.
You’ll often find dimming capabilities included, so lights can turn on or off gradually. Some smart timers include physical controls directly on the light switch, so you don’t have to use the mobile app to make adjustments. Research and buying tips What is a smart timer?Ī smart timer replaces a light switch and connects to your home wireless network, allowing you to adjust the on and off schedule of your lights through your phone, either on the local network or while away. This feature lets you have multiple overlapping schedules that you can activate individually or disable with the press of a button. The schedule will run once you’ve flipped on a program.
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Eight physical buttons let you navigate a blue LED indicator and set up to 4 programs on each of the buttons - not to mention the manual override controls. The MyTouchSmart digital timer packs a lot of functions into its front face. It needs a neutral wire for power and to be in range of your home’s 2.4-Ghz network, but once it’s in place, you can use Alexa to dim and schedule your lights.Ī nice added bonus to the Kasa Smart Light Switch is the away mode, which will flick your lights off and on at random intervals to give outside observers the sense that someone is home and moving around. Kasa Smart Light Switch TP-Linkįor the seamless look, consider the Kasa Smart Light Switch.
With all that, you should be set for any contingency. As for scheduling, you can pack up to 18 programs into this switch, each with its own 7-day schedule. This switch is also compatible with three-way wiring setups, which can be helpful for main light sources that have a couple of switches controlling them. Though a neutral wire is required for power, a backup battery keeps the switch accessible in case of failure. BN-Link In-Wall Timer BN-LinkīN-Link’s In-Wall timer earns high marks for a blue blacklight that makes it easy to see at night without being overly bright. Once installed and paired to your home Wi-Fi network, you can manage the schedule from your phone without needing to install a separate hub on your network. If you’re a bit more old-fashioned, the front face has a display that features controls to set up when and where you want your lights to toggle. The Intermatic Ascend smart light switch comes with Alexa compatibility, so you can tweak timers and lighting schedules with your voice. Best air fryer deals: Reduce your oil intake and fry healthier from $30
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