![]() ![]() ![]() But first, let’s summarize the common features of the bulbs in this roundup. I’ll get into the differences when we look at each kit. Though not sold as a kit, you can find the Insteon Hub for $39.99.and the Insteon LED bulb for $29.99 at. Bundled together as starter kits, these products offer a good, cost effective way to plunge into Home Automation for less than $100. ![]() Insteon, Philips and TCP hubs require an Ethernet connection to your network while the GE and Belkin hubs useWi-Fi. The kits all include a gateway (hub) and two LED Smart Bulbs. Insteon 2245-222 Hub and Insteon 2672-222 Bulb (sold separately – not sold as a starter kit).In this roundup, I’ll be looking at five different kits: But if you do install the hub and apps, you’ll be able to turn your lights on/off and dim them according to schedules you create or are triggered by external events. Your existing light switch will turn them on/off just like any other bulb. If you don’t install the hub and apps, the bulb will respond the same as their dumb cousins. They are a direct replacement for whatever bulb you are currently using-you just screw them into an existing socket.Īll smart LEDs rely on communicating with a gateway or “hub” device for their intelligence. Smart LEDs look very similar to their “dumb” cousins, but you can control them via an app on your smartphone or tablet. The latest twist on LED light bulbs has made them “smart”. Most LED bulbs are dimmable, have a pleasing soft “warm” light similar to incandescent bulbs and achieve full brightness instantly. This is cheap enough that you should recover the cost of the bulb through energy savings over the life of the bulb. LED light bulbs are very energy efficient and mass production has lowered the price of a 60 W LED equivalent to about $10 or less. CFLs, while much more energy efficient than incandescents, have two key drawbacks they take awhile to warm up and achieve full brightness and they rely on a small amount of mercury to operate, which creates a disposal hazard. Second, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), once the “green” go-to replacement for incandescent lights, are starting to be replaced by LED light bulbs. First, as mandated by law, incandescent light bulbs are being phased out all you can still purchase are fairly low wattage incandescents. If you’ve walked down the lighting aisle in your local hardware store recently, you’ve probably noticed a few things have changed. Introduction Update 2/20/15: Added Pros and Cons ![]()
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