Lutron Nightstand Light Controls

Radio ‘Smart’ Light Switches – Less Wiring, More Convenience

Radio ‘Smart’ Light Switches – Less Wiring, More Convenience

Radio switch systems have recently become less expensive and more user-friendly.  So what are they? 

Lutron App and Main Repeater

To give you a little background, radio switches can communicate with a wide variety of wireless switches to control lighting both inside and outside your home. They also sync with mobile phones and smart devices like Amazon Alexa and Sonos speakers.  Radio switches can easily be installed to replace existing switches – just unscrew the cover plate and replace the switch with a radio switch (it’s recommended that you use an electrician for this). Once radio switches are installed, you can add wireless remote switches anywhere in the house to perform programmed functions (think garage door clickers).

Another plus is that several lights can be grouped on one switch. For example, if you normally pass through 3-4 rooms walking from your bedroom to the kitchen, you probably have several switches to turn on and off along the way. With radio frequency switches, you can have one wireless switch that turns on all the lights you need on the way to the kitchen, and then another wireless switch in the kitchen to turn them all off. In an existing home, simply replace the desired switches with radio switches. Then, if you like, add  wireless remote switches at other rooms that have the same path to the kitchen. No wiring or drywall repairs needed.

Wireless Remote Switch

When building a new home, you can install all the radio switches in one location (near the electrical panel, for example), then the rest of the switches in your home can be wireless. Consider the wiring and labor you are saving by not pulling wires to each switch. Wireless switches are convenient as you can install them on the wall with a holder so you can take them out and use as remotes, or simply leave them on your nightstand or coffee table. You can even get a nightstand holder!

One thing to note is that the system requires a brain (main repeater), which can be located anywhere you have an electrical outlet and Ethernet cord within a range of about 30 feet of the switches (longer distances may require a wireless repeater).

The switches can be programmed any way you’d like.  At night, when you get into bed, you can push one button to turn off all the interior lights.  Or you can press an “all exterior lights” button if you think you hear a prowler. If you are outside gardening, or at the pool and it is getting dark you can use your cell phone to turn on the yard lights or house lights without having to go inside. You can also preset the light intensity and change it at any time.

Although it may seem a little complex at first, once you get the basics down it’s pretty easy.  An electrical engineer can design it if you are considering updating your whole house, or an electrician with experience in using radio switches can help you as well.  Our electrician, Power Electric, has coached me all the way through.

Wireless Remote Switch and 5 Traditional Switches

We chose Lutron’s latest Radio Ra2 Select System, which is cost-effective and easily programmable by the homeowner. We purchased our system locally from Ferguson Bath, Kitchen, and Lighting Gallery. There are numerous other features so check them out on the Ferguson website.

I want to thank Caralyn at Ferguson and Warren at Power Electric for all their help with this article. I cannot praise either of them enough. They are both great resources.

Trudi