Smart lighting has revolutionised the lighting world and led to a landscape where consumers have more control over their lighting than ever before. As with any industry that experiences such an explosion in popularity, the choice available is staggering. And, whilst this is fantastic for the consumer in one respect, it also means that making a decision on which system to go with is harder than ever before. However, with a little bit of knowledge on your side, you can begin to understand what to compare, so let’s take a look at the important factors.
- Brands: Different smart lighting brands come with a whole raft of benefits, but no two brands are the same. Therefore, it’s vital that you evaluate each brand against its competitors. And, don’t forget, brands are all about reputation, so carrying out a little research on the public image of a brand can often help you make your decision.
- Integration: Any project that involves smart systems requires a significant amount of integration to help build a smart living space. The best smart experiences, for example, are ones that embrace simplicity and allow all your smart devices to work seamlessly with each other. And that’s why you want to make sure that your existing smart setup is compatible with any potential lighting systems.
- Scalability: Depending on the size of your project, you will have to consider how scalable the systems are. Also, once your smart lighting system is installed there’s every chance that, in the future, you may want to extend it further so you should also keep this in mind. Certain lighting systems, of course, are more scalable than others, so it’s paramount that you understand the expansion capabilities. After all, an initial outlay for a system that scales comfortably is much better than having to make major adaptions to your system in the future.
- Flexibility: One of the major selling points of smart lighting systems has been their flexibility. And the sheer range of functions that are available for smart lighting is mindboggling. Not all smart lighting systems, though, are equal. And different households may have different requirements such as remote access to the control system or even childproof controls. Either way, you need to consider your unique needs and then work closely with sellers to understand which lighting systems will be best for meeting your needs.
- Cost: Cost is clearly an important factor in any project and that is no different when it comes to smart lighting systems. Consider the cost in context with the other factors above and don’t be fooled by “false efficiencies”. There certainly brands that have a high reputation that others and cutting back at this early stage of your project could cost you more in the long run, or leave you disappointed with the end result.
Ultimately, the most pressing aspect of choosing a smart lighting system should be to establish a clear picture in your mind of what you want. This provides an excellent starting point to begin budgeting, planning and, finally, choosing a brand that allows you to tick every box.
If you’d like some support and guidance evaluating which systems will be best suited to your project, don’t hesitate to get in touch and speak to one of our expert engineers.