What is a Smart Home? Can it be used in Ireland in 2017? & is it affordable today? Part B - Smart Lighting
Today, I’m talking about Smart Homes, Smart Lighting & specifically Smart Bulbs– about how it works, how it can be used as a Security Measure, how it can be Very convenient to use, how much it cost and lots more!
Be warned a lot of what I write about here is only available in Ireland on a limited basis and may need to be imported from UK. But bear in mind, all of what I mention is available if you know what you’re doing. If you’re worried about needing help you can always ask a question here, or comment below and we'll do our best to help! If you want the System installed for you, we have a range of limited time deals for a full installation of these Systems of Smart Lighting, be it Hue Dimmer White or Hue Full Colour. Read on & if you like what you see, check out our Offers at the end of the Article..
So what’s involved? First of all, you need an iPad (4 or newer) or Apple TV (4th Generation or newer). Now most people nowadays have some sort of iPad. If you don’t have either though, you can set up the System with difficulty with an iPhone. If you are an Android lover, to the best of our knowledge you may have to wait – unfortunately.
Secondly you need a Philips Hue Starter Set - between £55 -> £150 depending on whether you want to have Smart White Bulbs including Dimmer Function built in or Smart Colour Bulbs including a whole range of Dimmer/Brightness and literally any colour you can imagine!:
http://www.currys.ie/category/home-lighting-heating
https://www.amazon.co.uk/home-automation/b/ref=sd_allcat_automation
Now you can try setting up the System implementing a different Company’s Lights. But let’s be honest, here if I’m spending €200 plus on changing most if not all the light bulbs in my home, I want to deal with a reputable World Renowned Company we all know and trust – and before you say it, no I don’t have shares in Philips! But now that you mention it, it wouldn’t be a bad idea..
So back to what we were saying, how do they work? Well, the technology is patented and I don’t have any contacts in Philips or Apple for that matter. But I have this System set up in my home. So how as far as we’re concerned do they work? Firstly, you install the Philips Hue Hub. All that is involved is: plugging the Hub into the wall, connecting an Ethernet Cable between your Router and the Hub, downloading the “Philips Hue” App from the Appstore. Follow the Instructions and you’re on the Second Stage to making your home, ‘A SMART HOME’!
Did I mention that you use this system through Philips’ App on Android & iOS with some difficulty & through Apple’s Patented ‘HomeKit’ App with ease throughout the World! It works on schedules too. So, if you want it to turn on in your son or daughters room in a relaxing ‘glow’ at 7:00am, turning on fully at 7:30am! Believe me I only have the System a couple of months and I’m amazed at the litany of different things it can do.
Happen to be going on holiday for a couple of weeks? Want to make it seem like people are at home? Turn on the lights at 8pm in the evening and morning GMT time or “automate” it using Apple or Philips Automation Settings! My guess is that within a few years you’ll also be able to “automate” your curtains, blinds, TV, Radios, Kettles (in fact this is already available for a hefty price!) and many more! You name it, it will automate!!
Now I haven’t mentioned Siri integration. But suffice to say, I was telling Siri from my front Garden with the Wifi turned off: “Hey Siri, turn on Mum & Dad’s Ceiling Light” and less than 10 seconds later the lights were on. Cool? No?
Cost
With regard to Cost, the matter is borderline. Do I personally believe the System is affordable or not, right now February 2017-02-23? I honestly think it’s a personal thing. How important is tech to you? For me it’s worth it. Do kids absolutely adore blue, red, Green, Pink & Purple lights for their bedrooms? Yes. But at €20 per white dimmer & between €55 -> €75 per colour dimmer, it’s steep. Do I believe they’ll all come down in price? Oh boy, Yes!
But before I finish there are a few points to make quickly. Currently only: Bayonet, Edison Screw and at an extortionate price GU10’s are available to buy as Smart Bulbs, let’s say we’re in the first Service Pack Phase. Will things improve soon? Oh boy, Yes!
Ok let’s leave it there for this week but please check out our Exclusive Range of Installation Offers below.
Our Costings
For the Smart Lighting Learner: 7 Philips Hue Dimmer & Warm White Bulbs either Screw Bulbs
or Bayonet including Philips Home Hub & Installation: €399.99
For the Smart Lighting Hobbyist: 3 Philips Hue Colour Dimmer Bulbs either Screw Bulbs or
Bayonet + 6 Philips Hue Dimmer & White Bulbs either Screw Bulbs or Bayonet including Philips
Home Hub & Installation & Training: 579.99
For the Smart Lighting Go-Pro: 4 Philips Hue Colour Dimmer Bulbs either Screw Bulbs
or Bayonet + 7 Philips Hue Dimmer & White Bulbs either Screw Bulbs or Bayonet including Philips
Home Hub & Installation & Training: 699.99
Not happy with our choices above or want to 'mix it up a bit'? Give us a call, we'll arrange something to suit every pocket. Call today!
Next week we’ll conclude this series. Smart CCTV, The best of the rest, where we believe these technologies are headed & will there be a or several ‘all uniting parent devices’ like Amazon Alexa, Apple Home & to a lesser extend Google Home and whether and which one can corner the Market Place!!
