Smart lighting

[Astacus]

I want to install a smart lighting system that works with Apple HomeKit but there seems to be very few options. I would prefer to have smart switches and dimmers, rather than smart bulbs.

What do people recommend?

[normalbloke]

We have Lightwave RF kit. Although we don’t use the Apple HomeKit, it is compatible apparently.

[Astacus]

Thanks. I’ve seen that one. What’s your experience with it? Do you have the newer series or the older version ?

[loudlashadjuster]

Zigbee/Philips Hue works with HomeKit. You can use the plugs rather than bulbs if you like.

[Astacus]

Yeah while I was dipping my toe in the water I got a Hue bridge and some bulbs. I like the automation but it seems much more logical to automate the switches than directly control the bulbs. I also got a couple of adaptor plugs that I’ve used to control standard lamps with hard to get at plugs.

[RizzoTheRat]

Check your current wiring against the switch spec as apparently you need twin and earth to fit smart sockets, a lot of older houses don't have the earth.

[dapprman]

With zigbee there's very few automated switches out there and the reviews of them are not good. I was looking at one for my kitchen, in the end I used the excuse of the fluorescent tube going as an excuse to replace the light itself with a zigbee alternative (well a six GU10 bulb unit and zigbee bulbs).

[dapprman]

RizzoTheRat said:

Check your current wiring against the switch spec as apparently you need twin and earth to fit smart sockets, a lot of older houses don't have the earth.

You can also get switches that do not require earth, plus in line adapters.

[number2]

I've gone Hue with wireless Senic switches. The latter yet to arrive.

The flexibility to create multiple scenes using the 28 GU10 bulbs (large kitchen-diner) and lamps is what did it. The switches will have a lot of functionality but additional flexibility through the app/voice control will be useful for us.

[dapprman]

Must admit I assumed the OP meant automated 'real wired in' switches not the programmable Zigbee ones

I've a few of the original Philips dimmer units and one of the new ones (which does not fit the old holder..) plus a Friends of Hue quad switch though mine is by NodOn - which no is no longer available on Amazon - it was at the cheaper end of the 'FoH' swicthes

[normalbloke]

Astacus said:

Thanks. I’ve seen that one. What’s your experience with it? Do you have the newer series or the older version ?

We have changed every ought switch, and just have dimmable ceiling down lighters. They have been rock solid, do as we ask and very fast to react to the app when used. We have the newer style, have had them fitted for about a year. We’ve also changed most sockets over too. Mainly went for the aesthetics, but the functionality has been excellent.

[illmonkey]

normalbloke said:

We have Lightwave RF kit. Although we don’t use the Apple HomeKit, it is compatible apparently.

I have this, and setup with Apple. Feel free to ask anything.

I've just checked and it's currently working, makes a nice change...

[loudlashadjuster]

Ahh, I have KNX for controlling blinds and lights, but I'm yet to get a ZigBee/KNX bridge so that they can be integrated.

There are solutions for a Homekit bridge too, but I'm only investigating the options there. It's huge in Germany etc. so I'm assuming it integrates pretty well.

[Astacus]

Thanks for everyone’s input on this. I am going to irder the light wave kit and see how I get on. Has anyone tried setting the dimmer to gradually turn on the. bedroom is lights to wake you up?

[triple5]

Another happy LightwaveRF smart series user, tend to use the homekit app most of the time, the lightwaveRF one for setting up.

[normalbloke]

Astacus said:

Thanks for everyone’s input on this. I am going to irder the light wave kit and see how I get on. Has anyone tried setting the dimmer to gradually turn on the. bedroom is lights to wake you up?

Nope, but very easy to set up. They are also compatible with IFTTT,so the possibilities are pretty extensive.