Smart Lighting Upgrade for an East Grinstead Flat — East Grinstead
A customer in East Grinstead wanted the convenience of smart lighting without replacing all her switches. We fitted neat little modules to get the job done.
What the customer needed
Gracia, a customer in East Grinstead, got in touch with us because she wanted to get smart lighting installed in her flat. She liked the idea of being able to control her lights from an app and set up automations, but wasn't sure on the best way to go about it. A lot of people think that smart lighting means you have to buy expensive new bulbs for every single fitting, or use clumsy smart plugs that stick out of the wall. Gracia wanted something neater and more permanent that would work with her existing light switches and fittings, without a massive upheaval.
The solution
The perfect solution here is to use small, dedicated smart modules. For this job, we used Sonoff modules, which are brilliant little bits of kit. They're small enough to fit in the backbox behind an existing light switch, so they’re completely hidden from view. We went through the flat and wired one of these modules behind each of the main light switches. The original switch is wired into the module, so it still works exactly as it did before. The module itself connects to the Wi-Fi, which puts the light circuit 'online'. This means you get the best of both worlds: you can still flick the switch on the wall like normal, but you also get full smart control from your phone.
How it turned out
Gracia now has a proper, integrated smart lighting system. She can turn her lights on or off from anywhere using an app, set them on timers, or control them with a voice assistant like Alexa. Because the original switches still work, it’s easy for her or any guests to use them without needing a phone or an app. Best of all, she can set up clever automations. For example, she can have the porch light come on automatically at sunset, or make sure the hallway light switches itself off after five minutes. It's a simple, reliable upgrade that makes life that little bit easier.
Common questions
No, not with this method. The smart modules fit behind your existing switches and work with your current bulbs and light fittings, which makes it a very cost-effective way to upgrade.
Yes, absolutely. The wall switch will work just like it always has. You get the choice of using the switch, an app on your phone, or a voice assistant.
You can control lights when you're away from home for security, set schedules so they turn on and off automatically, dim them without a dimmer switch, and control them with your voice. You can also link them to sensors, so a light comes on when you enter a room.
It's often cheaper than replacing every bulb in your house with smart bulbs, especially in rooms with lots of spotlights. The final cost depends on how many switches you want to upgrade. Give us a call and we can give you a proper quote.
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