5 Things You Should Know About Smart Light Switches

In this video we teach you 5 things to know about smart light switches if you are considering installing smart light switches for your home. Smart lighting and smart light switches are one of my favorite smart home upgrades.

Smart light switches allow you to control your lighting remotely via your phone or with a smart voice assistant like Alexa, Google Home Or Siri. Once installed you can set remotely control, set schedules or even have your lights turn on when motion is detected.

We made this video to help you understand a few things about smart light switches to help you learn what to consider when deciding on a smart light switch for your home.

5 Things To Know:

2. Do you need a 3 way light switch? 3 way light switches are locations where you have 2 light switches that control one set of light fixtures. Like you might find at a staircase where the switches at the top and bottom of the stairs control both the same light fixtures.

3. Do you have deep junction boxes? Most smart light switches will fit in standard junction boxes however if you are building a new home or remodeling a new home I recommend using deep junction boxes to better accommodate smart light switches and wiring.

4. Smart Light Switch Connection: Hub or No Hub (Wifi, Z-Wave, Zigbee, RF )
There are several different communication protocols for how smart light switches connect. Typically I'm in favor of smart light switches that don't require a hub. However some smart light switches that don't require a neutral wire do require a hub, and because your existing wiring does not have a neutral wire.

5. Voice Assistant Compatibility

My Favorite Smart Home Devices

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[DrewShafer]

This is the best most complete explanation I have seen regarding this subject. Excellent job!

[sonnym]

Thank you for such a comprehensive video. You actually addressed all the areas that would otherwise could end in failure of the system and returns of products.

[KGRK]

Great Video.
I also want to add my ceiling fans to the mix. I'm TIRED of looking for the REMOTE for the ceiling fan !
I would much rather use VOICE control.

[toddhutchins]

You left out one issue. WiFi switches "phone home, " which can be a security risk. They also put more overhead on your WiFi router, depending on how many switches you have. I prefer Z-Wave myself. They also work well in a home automation system.

[john_thorpe]

A few things to add/question...

1.) What happens when power is restored after a power outage... do they turn on like most smart bulbs when the power is restored, or do they follow the same status they were in when the power went out (i.e.: if the switch was off and the power goes out (or flickers) will the switch remain off when the power is restored)??
2.) On the switches that contain a neutral wire... does that neutral wire have to be connected to the same circuit or can it be connected to any neutral wire (for example a group of 3 switches in a box with one of them being a 3 way ... say the 3 way switch was on a different circuit than the other 2 switches, does the neutral wire have to be on the same circuit as the 3 way if that's the one you're replacing with a smart switch, or can it be connected to any neutral wire that may be on a different circuit)??
3.) On a 3 way circuit, do you only need 1 smart 3 way switch or do you need one for each side of the 3 way??
4.) What switches can be used to turn a ceiling fan on & off and what ones can control the speed (if any) of a standard ceiling fan??
5.) What switches toggle like a regular switch vs. having a push button effect (ex. the TP Link/Kasa switches are turned on and off by pressing the bottom of the switch vs a rocker style)??
6.) Can the switches control more than 1 light on a circuit ... and can you dim more than one light in the circuit (ex. a kitchen ceiling that has 4 can style lights ... can you dim all of these)??
7.) What switches are compatible with fluorescent lights?? I have around 5 on one switch that controls upper cabinet lighting and around 4 that controls under cabinet lighting... I also have a couple switches that control LED (fluorescent style) lights ... 1 on one switch and 2 on another.

[jeffhorner]

Brilliant. This takes every question or confusion I've had about the switches.

[TheDannytre]

Can these smart switch work in bathrooms? Or bathroom fans?

[MS-rsle]

One thing you did not mention is warrantys and if you purchase a HUB you rely on the manufacturer to be in business for it to work. If the manufacturer of the HUB goes out of business like Insteon did this year then you are screwed Thanks for the great video

[_Lazare]

Hi nice video
I’ve a halo hub, and I’ve a wall box with no neutral wire, now which smart switch would work, any help would be sweet, I’ve also run with google voice assistant

[lawhinkenning]

Comprehensive, great clear info. Thanks!

[keithlawson]

what about wifi usage. I want to hook up about 10 lights. will it slow down my speed

[rashmedo]

Amazing knowledge. Very well explained saved a lot of trouble

[ernestmitchell]

Thanks for the terrific video with solid information before buying.

[wheinemail]

Helpful video! Thank you for answering a lot of question that I was struggling to find elsewhere..

[melvinnarciso]

Very informative video, helped me understand a lot. Although im still curious if any light bulb will do? Do you have a video for that?

[petefleming]

I'm looking to upgrade my stardard light switching to 'smart switching'. If I do so, will I have the ability to control all of my house lights from multiple switches?

[michaelmanley]

ThankYou - very informative and well done.

[Detroitblue]

A lot of key points were made in this video, well done. I am an electrician looking into adding some smart switches in my older home. I was confused about the point you made about a home with a neutral. I am sure there is an practical explaination however Electrically speaking every AC circuit consists of a neutral and a load wire which completes the circuit. Some older homes like mine might no included a ground in the system making it a two wire system insted of a 3 wire. This is why I am confused at to why there would be any home considered a no neutral wiring system.

[marianneshamo]

We moved into a house that had the smart lights installed, but we have no idea how to use it, and are wanting to disable it. Any recommendations would greatly be appreciated

[david]

I've installed some led dimmer switches and it seems like they influence one another. For example in my master bath I've installed an led dimmer switch in my commode room and one in my master closet. If I have the light on in the commode room at any brightness it dims my master closet lights. I've had this problem in others of my home too. I can't figure out the problem or how to resolve it. Can you help me?