Smart Lighting Beginner

Tim White · 21 May 2020 at 12:08

I currently have a philips hue bulb in one of my living room floor lamps, but want to add smart abilities to the ceiling lights (2 sets of three bulbs on a 2 gang dimmer switch). I was looking at installing a Lightwave RF 2 gang dimmer switch rather than just replacing the 6 bulbs with Philips Hue bulbs due to the cost, but wasn't sure whether I would need the Lightwave hub as well or whether this would work using the existing philips hue hub?

Basically looking for someone to tell me what the best option is considering the existing setup I have (See below for existing equipment/set up).

1x Philips Hue Hub
1x Tado Hub
1x Tado Smart Thermostat
1x Philips Hue bulb
1x Apple homepod

Thanks in advance if anyone can point me in the right direction.

Semple · 21 May 2020 at 14:59

I believe the lightwave stuff uses the z-wave protocol, which wouldn't be compatible with the hue bulbs that use the zigbee protocol.

Also it's not advisable to use a dimmer switch with smart bulbs, the idea is that the bulb does the dimming rather than the switch.

Your choice when looking at smart lighting is to either control the bulb, or to control the lamp, or the switch that it's plugged into. The latter two are fine if you just want light on or light off. However if you're looking at colour or white temperature bulbs, then your options are pretty endless.

I think you first need to decide which route you want to take. Most people go for the bulb route due to the control you get. Hue bulbs whilst are expensive, are currently the best on the market. If you are planning to purchase a number of them, you'd be better off waiting for sales to pop up - for example black friday always has good sales for bulbs.

Tim White · 21 May 2020 at 15:12

Hi Semple. Thanks for your reply. I think you mis understood where I am at the moment. I currently have a hue bulb controlled by a hue bridge in a floor lamp in the living room. This is fine and works a treat. What I want to do know is add smart function to my ceiling lights (which are standard bulbs which are in two sets of three) controlled by a normal dimmer switch on the wall. What I was asking is whether it would be better to buy 6 philips hue bulbs for the ceiling, or to install a smart dimmer for the current standard bulbs in the ceiling? If the smart dimmer option is better, is there one that would work using the hubs I already have or what I have to buy another separate hub for the dimmer.

I know I'm probably being incredibly confusing but I hope that makes sense.

iraiguana · 21 May 2020 at 15:44

https://www2.meethue.com/en-gb/p/hue-dimmer-switch/8718696743157

This should do what you are after. *Edit* - Although, looks like this only controls other Hue bulbs... so would still need to change all bulbs to hue.

Semple · 21 May 2020 at 15:50

Ah i see what you're saying.

Then no, your current hubs wouldn't support installing a smart dimmer to control the standard bulbs. (tado will only control the thermostat, or their own bulbs) and the hue bridge will only control it's own bulbs and accessories.

Your two choices are:
- Install a smart dimmer (will need some sort of hub or gateway to link it) - There are WiFi enabled ones, but majority of these won't work for the UK market due to our wiring being a bit different.
- Swap out the standard bulbs for smart bulbs (you'll also need to remove the dimmer switch for a normal one).

Most people go for option 2, and as you've already got the experience with the bulbs etc, you'll have a good idea of what to expect for your main ceiling lights.

Larry Burdick · 2 Sep 2020 at 00:01

Haven’t figured out how to make a new post yet.??? So, for now Ill just use this reply to see if I can get any help.
I have fluorescent light in my kitchen. Two simple on/off switches on either end of the room. Replace one with Gosund smart switch. It works manuall and with Alexa... but lights do not come on. Tried the second manual switch both on and off. No dice. What am I missing! Help is appreciated!