Dear Wirecutter: What’s the Best Way to Integrate Fluorescent Tube Lighting Into My Smart Home?
Q: I'm a renter who has set up most of my apartment with smart lighting, but one major holdout is the fluorescent tube (I think a T8?) in my kitchen. Due to my home’s layout, having it on or off significantly affects the illumination levels in the main living space.
I've started to see LED replacements for such fixtures, but no signs of a smart option—is this due to technical limitations, or just a limited market? I suppose an alternative would be something like the Switchmate, although I believe it's currently limited to a Bluetooth connection. Curious if you guys have any insight on this issue, which I assume must affect at least some of your other readers.
The Caseta replaces an in-wall switch and allows you to control your lights through an included remote or its smartphone app on iOS or Android. Plus, it’s HomeKit compatible and works with Amazon’s Alexa.
A: You’re right—the smart-lighting world hasn’t solved the fluorescent tube light problem yet, and yes, I’d guess that the smaller size of the tube-bulb business might be the cause of the holdup, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck flipping a switch.
You could use a Switchmate, and because that device is not wired in, it's especially handy for renters like yourself (we suspect your options may be limited since you can’t change out the offending fluorescent fixture for something else). You can easily relocate the Switchmate when you move.
The Switchmate does have a few drawbacks: It’s bulky and loud, and it uses Bluetooth, so if you need to turn off the light from outside the house, you’ll be out of luck. (You can, however, program timers in the Switchmate app). It isn't as elegant as other smart-lighting devices, and depending on your setup, it may not integrate with the rest of your lighting system.
I don’t know what other lighting devices you’re currently using, but judging from your description, if you can do any wiring your best option is to replace the current switch with an in-wall smart switch. (If you’re not comfortable working with your electrical system, hire a professional for the installation.) Just don’t forget to hold on to the preinstalled dumb switches so you can swap them back in when you move out of this rental.
If you plan to install several other switches in the house, my favorite system is Lutron’s Caseta, because its ClearConnect network is reliable and works well with other systems such as Amazon’s Echo and Apple’s HomeKit. Plus, each Caseta switch also comes with a small remote, so you don’t need to reach for your smartphone if you don’t want to. As the switch is all-load, it will operate your fluorescent light and anything else you might replace it with later. Because Caseta is HomeKit compatible, you can make the switches work with Philips Hue lights (and other HomeKit products), if that’s what you have in the rest of your home. HomeKit also allows you to turn the lights off with your voice via Siri. If you don’t already have Caseta, you’ll need to get the Smart Bridge hub in addition to the in-wall switch—they’re available in a combo.
You can also use the Belkin Wemo Light Switch, which is also all-load and a bit cheaper; in addition, it doesn’t require a separate hub, and it uses Wi-Fi instead of a separate network of its own. Like the Lutron Caseta, it will let you control your light from your smartphone and can work with Amazon’s Alexa offerings. If you’re upgrading only one switch or a couple of them, the Wemo will work for you, but it lacks the HomeKit support of the Lutron, and I prefer the Lutron’s design and its separate network’s reliability. Either of these switches will allow you to control your lights with an app (iOS or Android).
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Further reading
The Best In-Wall Smart Light Switch and Dimmer
by Rachel Cericola
A smart dimmer works like a regular switch but makes it easy to put lights on a schedule, automate them with other devices, and control them remotely.
Starting Seeds Indoors Can Be Surprisingly Expensive. These $20 Shop Lights Make It Much Cheaper.
by Sebastian Compagnucci
You don’t always need pricey grow lights to start seeds indoors. Here’s how I use shop lights to get my seedlings garden-ready for much less money.
The Best Smart Locks
by Jon Chase
A smart lock lets you go key-free and know whenever someone comes and goes. Our pick, the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt, is sturdy, simple, and reliable.
Smart Home for Apartments and Renters
by Grant Clauser
These smart-home devices don’t need permanent installation, so you can take them with you when you move.
