When you're busy with daily work, family activities, or errands, you may not think about the lighting in your home. But smart home technology can conveniently automate your external and internal lighting, and using smart LED lighting can improve your safety and sleep cycle, and increase your home's energy efficiency.
Health and tranquility are two important benefits of a smart lighting system, but if that's not convincing enough, then perhaps an increase in your home's energy efficiency will be. In the United States, residential lighting consumption in 2016 was about 129 billion kilowatt hours, about 10% of total residential electricity usage. Depending on the state you live in, your annual electricity bill may exceed $5,000. One of the most cost-effective ways to reduce electricity consumption is to switch to LED light bulbs. Smart LED lighting's LED bulbs consume 80% less energy than other bulbs and have a lifespan of up to 25 times longer.
Smart LED lighting is not only equipped with LED bulbs, but also with sensors that detect movement or the presence of people. This means that the lights only turn on at the intensity you want them to when you need them. You no longer need to fumble for light switches. You won't find yourself lying in bed wondering if you left the lights on in another room anymore. Smart LED lighting provides additional security by providing adequate lighting, especially for those who may be at greater risk of falling. Optimizing your home's lighting can enhance your mood, encourage good sleep patterns, and increase your home's efficiency. It may be time to reconsider smart LED lighting.
Lighting intensity affects your mood and sleep patterns. Researchers at the University of Toronto Scarborough recently found that humans are more emotional under bright lights. If you feel overwhelmed or stressed, dimming the lights in your home can reduce the intensity of these feelings.
The dimmer in smart LED lighting can also improve your sleep pattern. Hormones in your body called melatonin naturally increase at night, inducing sleep. Bright lights can slow down the release of hormones and delay sleep. About an hour before you want to go to bed, use smart LED lighting in your home to automatically dim the lights. Soft lighting will give you a visual reminder to relax and signal your body's endocrine system to release melatonin.
