Its worth noting that not all LED bulbs are compatible, and the switch can reset itself if the resistance in the circuit is too low. Smart light switches tend to be relatively cheap (at least compared with some of the pricier smart bulbs and LED light strips like the Philips Hue Lightstrips), as well as being compact and very easy to use. They are also simple to install and set up, and even those that replace your existing wired switches only require a very basic understanding of domestic electricity.

Smart light switches are among the best ways to put a timer on a light. 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. Is it hard to install a smart timer? Smart switches are often bulkier than their traditional counterparts, however; so if they don't fit in the electrical box properly, you may need to get a new box, which is probably a job for an electrician. Similarly, some older homes don't have the right wiring, so an electrician is a good idea here, too. How we test smart light switches Yes, but only some can. As you may have seen from the above products, some are designed to work only with certain smart lighting systems, like those by Wiz or Philips Hue. Others, however, like the Tapo Smart Switch by TP-Link, are designed to control your existing, non-smart lights. They replace your existing light switches and operate just like a manual switch, but with the added ability to be controlled remotely with a smartphone app, voice assistant, or pre-programmed schedule.

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As we’ve seen above,SMART heating controlsoffer a wide range of different features and functions and deciding which ones are more important to you – and better suited to your lifestyle – is key to selecting the right thermostat for your home. For instance, tado°states that itsSMART room thermostat“ will pay for itself within a year” by bringing your overall heating bill down by anywhere between14and26%. This type of control features a sensor on the north side of your home that works with another sensor mounted to your boiler, to control the temperature. Some manufacturers even charge the same for an additionalsmart thermostatas they do for the original kit that you buy, so it is important to weigh that cost against any potential energy bill savings you might make by not heating parts of your home that don’t need heating. The SMART learning thermostat Anyone that isn’t planning on moving house anytime soon (you can recoup the installation costs through saving on bills – you can’t do this in the same way if you move house).

But to be honest, when it comes to just having control over your heating, the process of how it works is pretty simple. So if you’re the thrifty sort – and already switch your heating off when you leave home, go out anywhere, or switch it off before you go to bed – the chances are that you won’t save as much withsmart heating controlsas what the manufacturers claim. App: How easy was it to use the app that works with the switch? What sort of features do you get, such as scheduling when lights turn on and off? The Nest Learning Thermostat, for example, makes the very green claim that, since 2011, it has helped to save “over 8 billion kWh of energy in millions of homes”around the world. But does the fact you can adjust the temperature of your heating from pretty much anywhere really mean that yourthermostat is smart?Some of the more prominent learning thermostats also make some pretty bold claims about the levels of energy they can help you save and how much they have contributed to energy saving as a whole. Somesmart thermostatmanufacturers make the claim that their products will learn your routine and the kind of temperature that you prefer a room to be and then set the programs accordingly to those settings. These type of models are DIY options, meaning you don’t have to get in touch with a dealer or a heating engineer unless you really want to. No, you do not need to hire an electrician to install a smart light switch. However, it is important that you take the proper safety precautions. Make sure that you turn off the circuit breaker to the switch before starting any work, and be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions on how to install a smart light switch. If you're unsure at all, it's worth calling an electrician. Can I replace a normal switch with a smart light switch? Inspect the colours of the wiring within the switch box (two entwined white wires will indicate neutral).

Instead, you can buy them right off the shelf or in an online store; making them a relatively easy upgrade to make for pretty much anybody. How do SMART heating controls benefit me?

Indeed, a study carried out by some heating boffins at British Gas actually discovered that the energy savings you achieve with their Hive system would be considerably smaller if you only had your heating on for part of the day. You should be able to identify two white neutral wires in the electrical lighting box. These wires may be tied together and capped with a wire fastener. However, such neutral wiring will not be present in all instances. A flathead screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, and handheld voltage tester will be required to identify the neutral wiring. For Alexa and Google Assistant-based smart homes, the TP-Link Kasa KP303 smart power strip is a worthy choice if you need several smart plugs in one location. It’s easy to use and even has a handy Away mode that will turn the plug on and off at random time. That's ideal if a radio or lamp is connected to one of the outlets, and you want to to help deter unwanted intruders.