Should I turn off my lights by robot? And how?

April 13, 2018 10:29 PM

I want to automate my new apartment a bit but the sheer proliferation of choices is bewildering. What I want is to press a button on my phone to turn on one set of lights, then press another to turn off a whole bunch of lights and appliances. I don't need to be able to do this from outside the house or on a schedule, and I'd prefer not to have Alexa-like devices involved because they'd require a VPN. I need guidance through the maze of options!
posted by dorothyisunderwood to Technology (9 answers total)

I would suggest smart switches (Lutron) instead of smart bulbs (Hue). The switches are a little more work to install, and you’d probably want to keep the existing switches to swap back at the end of your lease (assuming you’re renting the apartment). But they don’t burn out, and you likely need to buy less.

Appliances can be handled through a plug-in controller. We bought a pair for $30 on Amazon.

On iOS, if they’re Homekit compatible, you can create a scene that will turn any combination on or off. I assume similar for Android but don’t know for sure.

Alexa wouldn’t need a VPN as far as I’ve seen, unless you have some special considerations.
posted by neilbert at 5:26 AM on April 14, 2018 [1 favorite]

Check out x10.com
While the wifi module is currently out of stock, they do have inexpensive keyfob controllers.
posted by Sophont at 6:16 AM on April 14, 2018

Seconding the Lutron Caseta line of switches. I'm extremely not handy, and was able to install them very quickly. You need the smart bridge (included in most of the starter kits) connected to your network to enable smartphone capabilities, and their app does not require VPN. I really like the Caseta switches because, while you can use your smartphone, you can still just press a button. That means kids and guests can actually still control the lights. That and they don't lock you into a specific light bulb.
posted by noneuclidean at 6:22 AM on April 14, 2018 [1 favorite]

Standard disclaimer: if you go the switches route, you should be comfortable working with mains current which is potentially deadly.

Also, if you're renting and the building your apartment is in is old and/or indifferently maintained, what you find inside your switches may not be what it's supposed to be. There's a non-trivial chance that you might open a can of worms that would be hard to put back without involving the landlord.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 6:43 AM on April 14, 2018 [1 favorite]

No! You do not need to install switches into your electrical system. You can accomplish what you’re asking with a series of smart plugs, like WeMo. You plug the WeMo into your outlet and your device into your smart plug. You can control them with an app on your phone.
posted by Autumnheart at 7:02 AM on April 14, 2018

WeMo won’t handle lights mounted in the ceiling as far as I know.
posted by neilbert at 8:52 AM on April 14, 2018 [1 favorite]

No, but they will handle lamps and plug-in appliances, and Hues would work for overhead lights if that is a necessity. If this is a rental, it’s a much less invasive option than installing switches that then have to be removed at a later date.
posted by Autumnheart at 10:34 AM on April 14, 2018

Response by poster: I'm not touching anything electrical because I do not want to die immediately. I'll have a contractor who installs the electrics and this is my owned house being renovated, not a rental. The Hues are not my favourite option because I'd rather not have to replace all the weird light systems I have in various odd contraptions (yay for Taobao and IKEA!) and frankly, I like one shade of warm white and that's it.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 12:41 PM on April 14, 2018 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks for all of this - WeMo is not easily obtainable here, ditto Lutron, at least not for under $100/switch which for 30+ switches is ouch for me . American switches are 120v, so I need to get either UK/EU on 240v or experiment with South Korean and China brands on 240v. I've ended up throwing my hands in the air and getting the electrician to just run neutral wires to all the switches for now so I can have the switches upgraded later on. IKEA is bringing in their HUE-version of LED wifi lights in October so I will test those out vs Philips on the lamps then, and decide.

I did get the Sensibo air conditioner control which is MAGIC and cheaper than adding the wifi control to the air con system with more options, and have gone with Samsung's Smart Home system and Google Home to co-ordinate the aircon, speakers, the few plugs and TV we have now. I'mm going to get a wifi-curtain thing for my room to test, and then just slowly try each new thing.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 9:38 PM on June 15, 2018