Lighting controls have been available to homeowners since 1961, when the familiar rotary (round knob) dimmer hit the market. Since then, companies have been growing the lighting controls category with products like full-featured single-light dimmers, entire-room lighting controls for multiple zones of light, and total-home lighting control systems that integrate easily with other automation products. Lighting controls have changed the way homeowners live and play by offering increased flexibility throughout the home. With lighting controls, the family room can double as a home theater, while the kitchen can be transformed from a romantic dinner for two, to a homework and craft area for the kids–all with the press of a button.
Since every home (and every homeowner) has different requirements for its lighting control system, the demand for new products and technologies is on the rise. While homes under construction can employ a hard-wired lighting control system, in which every component is wired back to a central panel, existing residences often use wireless lighting control systems to avoid construction hassles. In some wireless systems, devices are RF-enabled and easily replace existing dimmers and switches. So when it comes to choosing a system, homeowners already have several options available to them.
But a homeowner’s lighting control needs don’t end with control of interior and exterior lights. An oft-overlooked point of light that can be easily controlled is the sun. Automated shade and drapery systems are the newest form of lighting control, serving as an extension of total home lighting control systems. An automated shade and drapery control system can be easily integrated with a total home lighting control system so that with the press of a “Goodnight” button, selected interior lights are reduced to 10% brightness to serve as nightlights, outside lights are turned on for added security, window shades are lowered, and draperies are closed. A home’s total lighting environment can be transformed in an instant with a single button.
Automated shade and drapery control systems offer numerous benefits, including convenient control of roller shades, Roman shades, and draperies. Integrating a shade and drapery system with a lighting control system simplifies a homeowner’s daily routines. Instead of walking through the entire home before bed adjusting window treatments and lights, a single button on the nightstand keypad does it all.
Added security is another benefit of controlling a home’s total lighting environment. Lighting control systems, as well as automated shade and drapery control systems, can be easily integrated with a home security system. If an alarm is tripped, the lighting control system can be programmed to turn on interior lights to full brightness while the landscape lights flash on and off. In addition, draperies will open and shades will rise, creating an unpleasant atmosphere for an intruder.
The two systems can also be put in vacation mode, which gives your home a lived-in look by replaying your lighting, shade and drapery activity from recent weeks.
Protecting furniture, flooring, and artwork from harmful UV rays is another benefit of automated shade and drapery control systems. Lutron offers shade fabrics that range from 0%, which is a blackout fabric, to 18% opacity, which allows a decent amount of sunlight into a room while preserving the outdoor view. Lutron offers more than 100 standard fabrics, though customers do have the option of providing their own.
Integrating automated shade and drapery control systems into your product offerings is simple. Lutron offers training sessions throughout the year in various cities.
So it’s time to make the choice. Grow your business with total home lighting control opportunities, or be left in the dark.
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