HomeKit Looking for HomeKit smart light advice

[ninethirty]

My wife and I just bought a house, and throughout there are plenty of lightbulbs that we'd like to replace with smart lights. The lights are smaller, and recessed into the ceiling, with an inch or so from the ceiling to the tip of the light. I took one out today, and they're small, and on the side they say:

PAR20 LED BULB
8W 300k dimmable
HyperPAR20-30
120V

I looked online but without much luck, so a few questions.

First, do these same types of smart lights exist? If not, can I put a different light type in the socket, or will that cause problems?

Here's the exact light in there now:

Hyperikon PAR20 LED Bulb Dimmable 8W (50W Equivalent), Flood Light Bulb, 5000K (Crystal White Glow), 4 Pack

Hyperikon PAR20 LED Bulb Dimmable 8W (50W Equivalent), Flood Light Bulb, 5000K (Crystal White Glow), 4 Pack

www.amazon.com

 

[barbu]

If you can figure out how to use Homebridge, you’ll have a much wider assortment of options to choose from. I use a mix of HomeKit and non-HomeKit stuff and it works equally well. It’s a good way to save money too.

 

[Itinj24]

What size are the recessed cans? Philips Hue makes very nice retrofit recessed lights in 4” or 5/6” and come in white ambiance or color.

 

[ninethirty]

What size are the recessed cans? Philips Hue makes very nice retrofit recessed lights in 4” or 5/6” and come in white ambiance or color.

Diameter you mean? I can measure later today. The bulb that's in there has a diameter of 2.5". The diameter of the can is similar, or just slightly larger.

 

[Itinj24]

Diameter you mean? I can measure later today. The bulb that's in there has a diameter of 2.5". The diameter of the can is similar, or just slightly larger.

Yes, recessed cans are measured in diameter and PAR 20 would indicate 2.5” diameter for the bulb, but if you’re saying the can is similar in size to the bulb, not sure the Hue would work without modification/new ceiling cans. Do the sockets look the same as a standard light bulb? I assume you’re either in the US or Canada going by the voltage rating of the bulb.

Also, Do you want smart bulbs for color and temperature change? If not smart switches would also work. It be a lot cheaper than replacing every bulb and they work just as well for automations and such. You just wouldn’t be able to change color but you can add some nice accent color light strips or lamps, etc…

 

[cynics]

Just to throw this out there and maybe this is something you've already thought about. I've found it better to install a smart switch on any device that has a switch, fans, recessed lighting, etc. This way I don't need to have a class on how to turn on the lights when family visits. Plus the switches will get turned off occasionally then the lights won't work and you need to turn the switch back on and wait for them to reconnect to the network. This also gives you more options when it comes to less common sizes bulbs, like a PAR20 for example.

In table/floor lamps I'll use smart bulbs.

Although the bases can be the same with with a PAR20 as your more typical A19 bulbs using a standard E26 base they generally used in a specific fixture for a reason. PAR20's generally have a reflector for directing light at specific places or objects. The beam can be narrow or wide but since the light is more focused it ends up being brighter.

Just something I went through when I started with home automation.

 

[Rychiar]

I Highly recommend Lutron Caseta switches in a new house. nothing is as reliable

 

[BobRey77]

I Highly recommend Lutron Caseta switches in a new house. nothing is as reliable

Second this. The Lutron Caseta Pro bridge is sold separately or packaged with the first dimmable switch you purchase. It connects to your router and controls all the Caseta switches in your house. This solution is highly reliable, simple to install and operate and you don't have to change your existing light fixtures and bulbs.