Smart Light Switch - Recommendation?

Hi Everyone,

First time posting on this forum.

Currently in the process of building a house, and after handover wanting to get an electrician in to change the stock standard light switches to smart switches. With 40+ downlights, I think this is the cheaper way to go, plus I prefer to have the option of both being able to use voice and for others to use the switch itself to turn lights on and off.

As long as Australian compliant, I am after a solution in the cheaper end of the market. Would be really appreciative of your feedback on products that may have worked for you.

Through my googling I've found the following: https://www.3asmarthome.com/smart-switches, If anyone has had any experience with them, or alternatives? I certainly can't afford to the cbus end of the market.

Thank you!

The neutral wire requirement is something you would need to discuss with your electrician. I believe that is not required in the initial fit out of dumb switches, and unless they install them then, they will be hard (impossible?) to retrofit. However, I am not an electrician, so you should seek early advice on that.

Thank you for the tip! I'll double check

Anyone had any experience with installing smart light switches? would love to get your insights. thank you

We’ve gone the smart light route via a combination of Phillips Hue & LIFX products. Minimal number of light switches (most switches are out of sight and control is via motion senses, Hue switches, app & voice control). Lots of smart plugs to control water features, flood lighting, electric blankets etc. Great thing with smart globes is you can just replace them with normal cheap ones if you ever move and take them with you (in our case this not an option as we have minimal switches as mentioned, but our next move will be in wooden boxes so not an issue).

$50 a smart light switch sold on eBay??? Low quality and cheaply built. If you are building your own house then don't go for the cheapest option. Warranty and insurance will be an issue. Get from a well established business just in case the small eBay seller run away if they don't make money.

https://www.racv.com.au/in-your-home/smart-living/smart-home.html

We specialise in installing smart lights and switches. For your information, let me try to give you some basis on smart lighting, this might help you in making a decision:

Types of smart lighting you can have:

• Option1: Using Smart bulbs (LIFX, Philips)
• Option2: Using Smart Switches board (many in the market)
• Option3: Using smart dimmer and switches (Aeotec and Fibaro) that can be installed in any existing type of tradition switch.

Option1 is not cost-effective for large projects. Most of these smart bulbs are wifi based and can be unreliable if your wifi signal doesn't reach corners of your home.

Option2 is a new trend where you can choose smart switchboard. However, because these are quite new in the market, it is difficult to say which brand to follow or trust on. But ideally, the should be able to switch your lights using APP or voice. Most of these are WiFi based so you need to be careful with its effectiveness.

Option3 is actually quite popular. Two of the brands mentioned are often used in large or small home projects. You need to have electricians who are aware of these techs. Because these devices go at the back of your switchboard, you have control over the look and feel of the switch. You will, however, need a hub to control and connect them to your Google Home or Amazon Alexa.

More info here: https://b1hub.com.au/smart-lighting

Hope that was helpful.

Thanks,
B1 Hub Australia

Are there any Apple HomeKit compatible solutions?