What is IoT-Enabled Smart Lighting?

Smart lighting uses IoT-enabled sensors, bulbs, or adapters to allow users to manage their home or office lighting with their smartphone or smart home management platform. Smart lighting solutions can be controlled through an external device like a smartphone or smart assistant, set to operate on a schedule, or triggered by sound or motion.

Value Proposition

According to IBM, the day-to-day operating costs of a building represent 70 percent of the building’s total cost over its entire lifespan. These costs include basic utilities, like energy and water, and are prime for optimization through IoT.

Smart lighting systems can automatically detect when a building is occupied or not, based other devices, like an IoT-enabled thermostat or security system, or according to schedules set by the user. By ensuring that no light is forgotten when employees leave an office for the weekend, or every morning when you go to work, smart lighting can prove an excellent resource for energy conservation and operating efficiency.

Smart lightbulbs are almost exclusively powered by LED, rather than incandescent. The average household (with 20 lightbulbs total) can save approximately $76 annually by switching to LED bulbs. While these savings are nice, they can be achieved by purchasing regular LED bulbs and most buy smart lighting solutions for the added convenience and customizability.

How it Works

Smart lighting solutions can be built in a couple of ways. Smart bulbs are WiFi-enabled bulbs that can be controlled individually by a smart assistant or mobile app. Most have the ability to change color or dimness. Light switches operate as an adapter for regular light bulbs and can control groups of lights.

Key Benefits of IoT-Enabled Smart Lighting

• Save money by switching to more energy-efficient LED bulbs.
• Set schedules to ensure that lights are off when they aren’t needed – or control lighting schedules remotely as a security measure when you’re away from home or out of town.
• Adjust the color or dimness of lights in different rooms or individual bulbs.