Smart lights are innovative technology products that have proven themselves in many homes and businesses around the world. They have been written many times and seems to be loved by many.
But, let’s be honest, they’re not without their problems. For anyone with smart lights, you’ll know that sometimes all you need is a light bulb that does what it’s supposed to do — turn it on, turn it off, and shine brightly. Simple enough, but sometimes it can be difficult to get your smart light to work properly.
What to do with light bulbs behaving badly
Listed below are some of the issues you may have encountered with your smart bulbs and some solutions you can try if your bulbs are misbehaving.
Glitches with Smart Light apps
No technology is without its flaws or glitches. Over time, you are bound to find issues that can be really annoying. Some of these issues are so annoying that smart light bulb users are taking to social media to express their frustration.
And that’s exactly what @yoyoyoel did when he tweeted about not being able to turn on any of his lights:
The issue here was not in his light, but a «buggy iOS app update» that ended up not updating properly.
Fortunately, this is easy to fix. In most cases, simply restarting the application will do the trick.
Too expensive
Unfortunately, another drawback of smart light is its price. For example, great smart bulbs from Lifx cost around $60 per bulb, which is a lot of money if you’re looking to improve the lighting in your home or office. While buying a pair is fine for most people, such an investment is a big deal for the average sponsor.
Luckily, there is an easy solution to this problem: You can buy cheaper bulbs from Cree, which cost about $15. There are other options, such as these amazing DIY projects, that are equally amazing. Also, remember: smart products can add value to your home. can add value to your home. can add value to your home.
How to turn it on or off?
There are other issues that @nicrankin wrote about:
While he didn’t claim a glitch, he suggested that the problem with smart lights is the number of switches. Apparently there are too many, as you can turn the lights on or off with an actual (dumb) switch or from within the app.
This, too, has a simple solution: smart switches.
For example, the Belkin WeMo switch (plus motion-activating sensors) promises to turn on lights and appliances so you don’t have to. There are other smart switches that are just as good. too.
Great solution in theory, but it can also be annoying if you don’t know how to set it up properly.
Set up your smart light sensors
For smart lights and sensors to work properly and not be as annoying, you need to set them up for optimal performance and convenience. This decision will take longer, but it’s worth it.
To better tune your system, there are a few things you should consider and do:
Location
Most smart light sensors are designed to work anywhere. You can set the light to work in the garage, on the balcony or on the patio. You can even install a light sensor in your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom if that makes sense to you. It doesn’t matter what room or location you install your system in, it does matter where you put the lamps.
You don’t want your smart lights to be in a random location, such as a location that could cause it to turn off. It is also not better to put it where it can interfere with the passage. The goal here is to make sure that it fits perfectly in the room and space you need, and is completely protected from harm. I’ve seen awkwardly placed light bulbs and no one cares.
Direction is just as important
While where you place your light is important, how you point the light is just as important.
What doesn’t make sense is using your light sensor to react to every moving thing or nothing at all. If the sensor is pointed at the ceiling or the sky, it can constantly detect any movement, which will eventually drain the battery and most likely not be used in the way you intended. If the sensor is pointed at the ground, the sensor will be difficult to detect, and again, probably not in the way you intend to use it.
Don’t forget to specify sensors more for what you want to detect, which brings up my next main question:
functionality
If you use a safety light don’t forget to put a light next to a door, garage, balcony, etc. — anywhere that could scare an intruder or illuminate a dark place. Considering safety, it would be wise to use a light bulb that shines brightly. Using a lamp that is too dim or a soft color will not do you much good.
If you use light for practical reasons, do it wisely. Bulbs that are too bright are not very welcoming to guests. For example, blue light bulbs may not be suitable for detecting invaders, but may be suitable for your bedroom when you want to relax.
Timing is everything
Another important thing to consider is how long the light bulb stays on. If your bulb only shines for 15 seconds, you probably won’t want it used for your front door when you need to look for keys and a keyhole in the middle of the night. Although the 5 minute shine is likely too long. Consider your needs and plan accordingly.
