AZ Central: Consumers want to control lights from smartphone apps

Systems allow homeowners in all budget ranges to enjoy security and convenience.

Don’t be in the dark about home security. Thieves aren’t.

In the same spirit, live comfortably. You and your family deserve it.

“A new survey from Lutron shows that consumers are looking for their homes to get ‘street smart,’ ” said Melissa Andresko, communications director for Lutron Electronics Co. Inc., based in Coopersburg, Pa. “The ability to control lights and shades from their smartphones when they are away provides peace of mind and a greater feeling of security.”

Founded in 1961, Lutron says its products save an estimated 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion annually, in utility costs. The (Street) Smart Home at Lutron includes products for all budgets: Caséta Wireless for the general home owner and, for luxury homes, the RadioRA2 and Homeworks QS from Lutron.

“The Caséta Wireless system gives consumers the ability to control lights and shades inside or outside the home — either from a remote control or the Lutron app,” Andresko said.

In-wall dimmers control overhead lights can work with low-energy-use CFL and LED bulbs, and plug-in dimmers can control table and floor lamps. The Pico remote control can be used as a hand-held remote to control dimmers or it can be surface mounted to the wall, attached to a car visor or placed on a tabletop pedestal.

The Lutron Smart Bridge plugs into a home’s Wi-Fi router and sends radio frequency communication signals to compatible Lutron devices inside the home, include Serena remote-controlled shades, while providing convenient home control from any iOS or Android-based smart phone or tablet.

“Caséta provides flexibility, reliability, convenience as well as affordability for just about anyone,” Andresko said.

The upgrade RadioRA 2 offers total home control with the capacity to vary atmospheres by customizing and controlling the lighting, shading, sensors, fans, temperature and appliances throughout the home, using a seeTouch wall-mounted keypad and Lutron Home Control+ app.

Available on iPhone, Android and iPad, homeowners can use the app to control or check their home from anywhere in the world.

HomeWorks QS is designed for exclusive homes with its dimmers, sensors, shading, audio/visual, HVAC and home security controls and compatibilities for the interior and exterior of a home. This system is controlled by a HomeWorks QS keypad and Lutron Home Control+ app, and the keypads can be customized to the style, fabric and color of each room.

For security: “In the event of an alarm, interior lights turn on, illuminating a safe exit, while exterior lights flash to attract attention,” Andresko said.

For comfort and luxury: “RadioRA 2 (and HomeWorks) are great for enhancing home theaters, with the way you integrate the lighting and shading with the audio-visual of the film,” Andresko said.

These systems have been recently installed in $1 million-plus homes in Glendale.

Aterra Lighting, Scottsdale, has recently installed Caséta systems in Toll Brothers homes in Verrado and Vistancia/Blackstone.

Homeowners in those West Valley communities can realize a 10-to-30-percent reduction in utility bills depending on the number of motion sensors, programming and types of light bulbs that are installed in the home, said Paul Salmonson, president of Aterra.

“In the age of iPads and Smart phones, having the ability to program your home’s systems for lighting, heating/cooling and other related lifestyle events is just the next evolution of home design,” he said. “Gone are the days of having to turn on or off each switch individually to gain that special feel for the home.”

The Smartest button? The “All Off” and/or “Good Night.” “Just reach over while in bed, push it and ‘Voila!’ “