- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
suggestions for smart hub and light switch
Posted on 11/18/15 at 1:38 pm
Posted on 11/18/15 at 1:38 pm
Looking to start automating my home. I currently have 2 Nest thermostats. I know the Nest does not really connect to the hubs and I'm fine with that.
The first thing I want to add is a smart switch to control a light. There are three switches in the panel, one that controls motion sensors and is always on, one that controls a hall light and one that controls the light under the carport. It is the carport light I want to make "smart." Specifically, if I get home after dark and I did not turn on the light before I left, I want to be able to turn the light on from my phone.
Any suggestions for this switch and/or a hub suggestion. I'll be looking to do more automation in the future, so compatibility is something I'm very interested in. I'm also not overly tech savvy, so ease of use would be nice as well. A friend recommended the Iris, but it appears to me to have very limited compatibility. I've seen posters here discuss the Wink but there seems to be mixed reviews.
Thoughts?
The first thing I want to add is a smart switch to control a light. There are three switches in the panel, one that controls motion sensors and is always on, one that controls a hall light and one that controls the light under the carport. It is the carport light I want to make "smart." Specifically, if I get home after dark and I did not turn on the light before I left, I want to be able to turn the light on from my phone.
Any suggestions for this switch and/or a hub suggestion. I'll be looking to do more automation in the future, so compatibility is something I'm very interested in. I'm also not overly tech savvy, so ease of use would be nice as well. A friend recommended the Iris, but it appears to me to have very limited compatibility. I've seen posters here discuss the Wink but there seems to be mixed reviews.
Thoughts?
3
Posted on 11/18/15 at 1:42 pm to tenortoga
What other automation might you add in the future?
Posted on 11/18/15 at 1:42 pm to tenortoga
Download wink app and you can start controlling your nest thermostats with it today for free.
Perfect time as wink hubs were 99 cents last year around this time and the hub will control virtually everything (see my thread on here) and most of the negative reviews were software issues that are virtually all worked out now.
Most every smart "thing" is supported by wink and the recent addition of IFTT support means you can do all kinds of crazy things.
.. Oh and did I mention if you don't like the wink experience you'd only be out 99 cents?
Eta Iris sucks
Eta2 Lutron makes the nicest smart switch but all the brands I've tested work fine.. Lutron just looks higher end.
Perfect time as wink hubs were 99 cents last year around this time and the hub will control virtually everything (see my thread on here) and most of the negative reviews were software issues that are virtually all worked out now.
Most every smart "thing" is supported by wink and the recent addition of IFTT support means you can do all kinds of crazy things.
.. Oh and did I mention if you don't like the wink experience you'd only be out 99 cents?
Eta Iris sucks
Eta2 Lutron makes the nicest smart switch but all the brands I've tested work fine.. Lutron just looks higher end.
This post was edited on 11/18/15 at 1:47 pm
Posted on 11/18/15 at 1:47 pm to CubsFanBudMan
quote:Not really sure yet. Probably more lights to start. eventually may replace my smoke alarms with smart ones, maybe upgrade my alarm system, locks etc... Just starting with need and as odd as it may sound, the first is that light switch. if its day when I leave, I forget to turn it on. If its dark when I get home and the light is not on, id like to be able to that as i'm pulling in the drive way or sitting in the car.
What other automation might you add in the future?
Posted on 11/18/15 at 1:49 pm to CAD703X
quote:
Perfect time as wink hubs were 99 cents last year around this time and the hub will control virtually everything
Where might I but a hub for 99 cents?
quote:
Download wink app and you can start controlling your nest thermostats with it today for free.
what functionality do I get with the wink app that I don't with the nest app?
quote:
Lutron makes the nicest smart switch but all the brands I've tested work fine.. Lutron just looks higher end.
Can I replace just the 1 switch in the plate or will I have to replace all 3. All 3 switches are under 1 plate, and Id like to not have to make the box bigger to fit the extra switch. (does that make sense?)
Posted on 11/18/15 at 1:52 pm to CAD703X
quote:
Perfect time as wink hubs were 99 cents last year around this time
Are you saying they should go on sale or something? I just bought a home and am trying to decide on which setup I want to go with.
Posted on 11/18/15 at 1:55 pm to tenortoga
also if it matters, the 3 lights controlled by the switches are different bulb types. The hall is a CFL, although I may replace that with LED at a later date, the motion sensors are halogen bulbs and the carport has florescent bulbs.
Posted on 11/18/15 at 1:58 pm to tenortoga
quote:
also if it matters, the 3 lights controlled by the switches are different bulb types
Doesn't matter for just switching on and off.
Posted on 11/18/15 at 2:10 pm to MrSmith
quote:
Are you saying they should go on sale or something? I just bought a home and am trying to decide on which setup I want to go with.
The hubs were $0.99 with the purchase of two bulbs last year around christman timse
Posted on 11/18/15 at 2:39 pm to tenortoga
quote:
Where might I but a hub for 99 cents?
go to slickdeals.net and add 'wink hub' as a keyword so you get alerts if/when the black friday deals happen. it was all over last year for 99 cents at home depot if you bought 2 $15 wifi bulbs. a great deal just for the bulbs because they will still work with any smart system even if you ditch wink. also keep an eye on this forum because someone here will also notice when a good deal appears and post it here.
quote:
what functionality do I get with the wink app that I don't with the nest app?
you get to see if you like the wink UI
you get to play with robots and shortcuts and can put them on your phone (android or ios?) so you can change the thermostat from widget
you can have nest automaticaly turn the ac or heat on as you're pulling into your house (geofencing)
quote:
Can I replace just the 1 switch in the plate or will I have to replace all 3. All 3 switches are under 1 plate, and Id like to not have to make the box bigger to fit the extra switch. (does that make sense?)
sure. they're just switches. you replace them one at a time so it doesnt matter if you have a 1, 2 or 3 switch plate as you're just swapping the one out you want to play with.
to answer your other question; geofencing will allow your floodlights to all come on as you're pulling in (no need to have to pull out your phone and tap on something).
geofencing isn't wink specific..its a feature used by all smart hubs.
This post was edited on 11/18/15 at 2:40 pm
Posted on 11/18/15 at 2:43 pm to tenortoga
quote:
also if it matters, the 3 lights controlled by the switches are different bulb types. The hall is a CFL, although I may replace that with LED at a later date, the motion sensors are halogen bulbs and the carport has florescent bulbs.
get rid of all the CFL crap asap. you can't dim it, it works like arse with smarthome doodads, they put off poisonous gas when they break and the light quality they put out is on par with industrial hospital lighting. in short they just suck.
with the current prices on LEDs and the fact black friday is around the corner, go ape shite on some LEDs.
*all* current LEDs i've found will dim these days so that's not even an issue anymore.
Posted on 11/18/15 at 3:48 pm to CAD703X
quote:
sure. they're just switches. you replace them one at a time so it doesnt matter if you have a 1, 2 or 3 switch plate as you're just swapping the one out you want to play with.
The problem with this is that the switches are currently just toggle switches. All of the smart switches look to fit rocker plates so id be forced to switch all 3 now unless im missing something. I really don't need smart switches on the other 2 right now.
Posted on 11/18/15 at 4:27 pm to tenortoga
You can buy combo switch plates. One rocker, two normal switches etc.
Posted on 11/18/15 at 5:07 pm to tenortoga
I have GE bulbs and the wink app. The goddamn bulbs keep disconnecting from my shite and I can't control them. Early adopter's Blues.
Posted on 11/18/15 at 8:38 pm to tenortoga
quote:
really don't need smart switches on the other 2 right now.
No offense but the wall plates in multiple configurations are like $1.19. If you are unsure about the difference between swapping out a switch and a wallplate are you going to be comfortable rewiring it?
Posted on 11/18/15 at 9:31 pm to CAD703X
quote:
No offense but the wall plates in multiple configurations are like $1.19.
Yeah exactly. Buy fricking 10 configurations if you're unsure.
Posted on 11/19/15 at 6:37 am to CAD703X
quote:
No offense but the wall plates in multiple configurations are like $1.19. If you are unsure about the difference between swapping out a switch and a wallplate are you going to be comfortable rewiring it?
I can do the wiring no problem. Ive replaced switches and outlets before. I've just never seen a Switch plate that has 2 toggles and a rocker, but then again I've never looked for one either.
I appreciate the help. I'll be looking out for a deal on the hub.
Posted on 11/19/15 at 6:48 am to tenortoga
I'd say read the whole wink thread but most of the problems discussed in it have been fixed.
We can answer most questions you might have here.
To the poster who said the bulbs won't stay connected.. I haven't had a problem with mine since I moved a few months back but I had to set them all up again at that time. Also how far from the hub are your lights?
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News