Houston Lighting Control Integration: Wireless or Wired Lighting Systems?

Have you ever been to a friend’s house and all the lights are being controlled from a touch panel or iPad? What are all the advantages?

Here are a few...

• Saves on Energy Consumption
• Security "All Lights On Mode"
• Helps Control Temperature
• Create Lighting Scenes
• Convenient

After you have experienced a home with a smart lighting control system and you have realized it would make sense for you and your family, what factors should be considered when choosing between a wired lighting control system (centralized) vs. a wireless lighting control system?

Here are a few deciding factors.

• Is your home already built or is it in the process of being built?
• How important is the reliability of the system to you?
• How large is the area to be controlled?
• How important is the ease of future expandability?
• What’s your budget?
  

Factor 1: Is your home already built or in the process of being built?

If your home is currently in the construction phase or under development, it is the most opportune time to integrate a centralized wired lighting control system. Once the drywall goes up, it makes it very difficult to run the needed wires for installation. If you are in a pre-existing home, a wireless lighting control solution will probably be your best option.

 

Factor 2: How important is the reliability of the system to you?

Although wireless technology has come a long way, a wired solution is still the most reliable. A wireless system is dependent on the network. This means if the network goes down so does your homes lighting. The best practice to avoid any lighting outages is to equip the system with a redundant networking system. In case one network fails, there is another network your lighting can be picked up on.

 

Factor 3: How large is the area?

A Wireless system creates a mesh network: meaning the more switches you have in a given radius the stronger the signal will be. However, for very large estates, it is usually recommended that a wired system be installed.

 

Factor 4: How important is the ease of expandability?

Unless you have the proper foresight, expanding on a wired centralized lighting system can be very difficult and costly. In this case, a wireless solution is best. You can simply add another switch, tie it to the network and it is good to go!

 

Factor 5: What’s your budget?

Because of the amount of equipment needed along with the extended amount of labor it takes to implement a centralized lighting system, a wired control system is hands down the more expensive investment. However, for added peace of mind and security a wired system can be the better value.

 

Key Takeaway:

Wired lighting system: before construction, more costly, and more secure. Wireless lighting system: after construction, cost effective and easier expandability.