At Host Systems, we believe every homeowner deserves a smart lighting system that aligns with their budget, aesthetics, and functional needs. That’s why we offer a range of smart lighting solutions, providing our clients the flexibility to choose options that best suit their needs, rather than being confined to fixed setups.
Here are the different methods we offer for setting up smart lighting:
- Integrated Smart Lights
- Smart Control Module
- Smart Switches
- Replaceable Smart Bulbs
Each of the four options can independently provide a smart lighting solution for your project. Be cautious if you encounter situations where you’re told that a combination of methods (e.g., light + smart module + smart switch) is required, or that only one method is available for a smart light setup.
That said, using a mix of these options can be beneficial for budgetary reasons (e.g., not all lights need to be smart; limited control is acceptable) or aesthetics (e.g., using a standard lamp for its design while enabling remote on/off control). We recommend discussing the specific requirements with us so we can tailor a solution that best fits your (client) needs, rather than being restricted to predetermined setups.
1) Integrated Smart Light
What:
- An integrated smart light where the LED light source, driver, and smart chip are built into the fixture and cannot be replaced separately.
Benefits:
- Yeelight Pro integrated smart lights are designed for optimal performance, delivering art gallery-level light quality, exceptional longevity, and advanced smart features.
- Precise control over lighting, including colour temperature, brightness, scenes (preset configurations to create specific moods or functions, like switching between 'movie' and 'focus' modes in the living room), and automation (e.g., scheduling specific lights to perform certain tasks at designated times) for individual lights, grouped lights, and even lights across multiple properties.
- Installation is as simple as standard lights.
- Yeelight Pro smart lights utilise a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh network, offering energy efficiency and superior connectivity through multiple pathways for instructions to travel seamlessly between devices.
- There is no need to replace the original physical light switch—it can serve as a backup to manually turn lights on/off like standard lights in the rare event of a software glitch, while the software engineers work on resolving it with a firmware update.
Note:
- We offer a wide range of smart lights and relevant accessories (light strips with different casings and profiles, embedded or surface-mounted magnetic track lights, recessed or surface-mounted spot/down lights, sensors, smart switches, etc.) at various price points to suit different budgets. Visit us to find out more!
- A gateway is required. A single gateway can control up to 150 Yeelight Pro devices.
2) Smart Control Module
What:
- A compact device (50×50×34mm) that is installed within the circuit between the light switch and the light point, enabling remote control of standard lights.
Benefits:
- Allows remote control of standard lights via an app.
- Cost-effective: One module can control multiple standard lights across up to 2 circuits, with a maximum of 200W per circuit.
- Eliminates the need for a smart switch if the goal is simply to control standard lights remotely, which saves costs by avoiding the need to pull a neutral wire required by some smart switches.
Limitations:
- Limited to ON/OFF control without being to control colour temperature and brightness.
- All lights on the same circuit are controlled together and cannot be managed individually.
- Requires suitable space to hide the module (e.g., in a false ceiling, nearby cabinetry, or within the light fixture if there’s room).
Note:
- This option is ideal for areas (e.g., kitchen, service yard, outdoor lights) where individual light control isn’t necessary.
- We offer drivers that enable remote control of dimmable standard lights (up to 40W), including dimming functionality. However, these drivers need to be tested with your specific lights to ensure compatibility and smooth operation.
- A gateway is required.
3) Smart Switches
What:
- Replaces traditional wall switches, enabling remote control of standard lights.
Examples of Yeelight Pro smart switches
Benefits:
- Allows users to keep their standard lights while gaining remote control via the app.
- Provides the option to control lights physically if the app is not preferred.
- When connected to smart lights, users can do more than just switch them on or off. They can also activate scenes (preset lighting configurations for specific ambiances, like "movie mode" in the living room) without using the app.
Limitations:
- If controlling standard lights only, the switch can only ON/OFF all lights grouped in the same circuit; individual control is not possible.
- A neutral wire is required if the smart switch needs one.
Note:
- While smart switches that don’t require neutral wires are available, experience and customer feedback indicate that neutral wire switches offer better connection stability.
- We offer a variety of smart switches at different price points, with options ranging from single to multi-gang, as well as touchscreen and non-touchscreen models.
- We also offer a portable, battery-operated smart scene switch that doesn’t require installation. It can be placed anywhere, providing tactile control over smart lights without using the app. Users can start with one and add more as needed, which can effectively replace the need for a 2-way switch.
- A gateway is required.
Examples of Yeelight Pro portable, battery operated smart scene switches
4) Replaceable Smart Bulbs
What:
- Transform standard lights into smart lights by simply replacing the bulb.
Examples of replaceable smart bulbs
Benefits:
- Supports a wider range of fittings since bulbs are replaceable.
- Most use Wi-Fi, making setup easy as the smart bulb connects directly to Wi-Fi and can be controlled via an app.
Limitations:
- Compared to integrated smart lights where performance is optimised, you tend to get reduced light quality and lifespan with replaceable bulbs, especially with GU10 bulbs, as the LED chip, driver, and smart chip are all packed into a small space. Generated heat is not able to dissipate efficiently.
- Connecting too many devices directly to Wi-Fi can cause connectivity problems.
Note:
- We also offer non-Wi-Fi E27 replaceable smart bulbs that avoid these Wi-Fi limitations. These bulbs operate on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and are managed by a dedicated Gateway, which controls all the smart lights (up to 150 devices) without overloading the Wi-Fi network.
In today's fast-paced world, finding the perfect lighting solution is about more than just brightness—it's about creating an environment that suits your unique lifestyle and needs. With our wide range of smart lighting options, we can design a tailored setup that not only enhances your space but also offers convenience, control, and efficiency. Whether you're looking for a complete overhaul or just a few adjustments, we're here to help you achieve the perfect balance of function and style.