Intro to Smart Lighting for Airbnbs
Smart lighting is a home technology controlled by a phone or tablet app, voice assistance device, or another smart accessory like a security panel. These devices allow you to turn lights on or off, dim them, change their color, and set schedules for when lights should come on or off. Some systems also have sensors that detect motion or the amount of daylight, automatically adjusting lights in and around your property.
The most common types of smart lighting for Airbnb homes:
- Smart Bulbs: These are long-lasting LED light bulbs you can control remotely, changing their brightness and color.
- Smart Plugs: These plugs can turn any regular lamp into a smart lamp. You simply plug your lamp into the smart plug, and then you can control it via an app on your phone.
- Smart Switches: These replace your regular light switches and allow you to control the lights connected to that wall switch using an app or voice commands via a smart home assistant.
- Motion Sensors: These sensors can turn lights on when they detect movement and turn them off when no one is around.
Benefits of Installing Smart Lighting in Your Airbnb
Energy and Cost Savings
Property owners can gain significant energy and cost savings benefits from smart lighting technologies. About 15 percent of a home’s electricity use is from lighting and LED smart bulbs utilize 70-90 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Switching to energy-saving bulb options saves the average homeowner $225 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Additionally, various smart lighting devices enable you to set lights to turn off when no one is in the room or to dim automatically during the day when there’s enough natural light, resulting in even less energy use over time. Plus, LED smart bulbs last 15 times longer than regular bulbs, so you don’t have to replace them as often. These factors work together to reduce your energy consumption, lower your electricity costs, limit your footprint with less waste, and support a cleaner environment.
Guest Comfort
For vacation rental guests, smart lighting devices make their time at your Airbnb more comfortable. Guests can adjust the property’s lighting to their preferences, creating a personalized and luxurious experience. They can also use voice commands to control lights, offering guests an easy, convenient, and enjoyable stay at your rental.
Property and Guest Security
Smart lighting technologies improve safety for both property and guests. Motion sensors can light up pathways or staircases when someone is walking, reducing the risk of falls or accidents. You can also schedule outdoor lights to turn on automatically at dusk or when activated by motion, aiding guest access at night, deterring intruders, and alerting you of someone’s presence at your property.
Choosing the Best Smart Lighting Devices for Your Airbnb
1. Philips Hue
Philips Hue is one great option for Airbnb hosts because the systems are easy to set up and offer a wide range of smart lighting features. These smart lights allow guests to control your property’s lighting with their smartphones or voice, creating a personalized experience. Philips Hue also integrates well with other smart home devices like Alexa and Google Home.
Additional features hosts find beneficial:
- Customizable lighting scenes with different colors for each setting
- Reduction in energy usage with motion sensors and schedules
- Enhancement of areas with exterior spotlights, wall lights, and more
2. LIFX Smart Lights
LIFX Smart Lights is another popular option for hosts operating an energy-efficient Airbnb business. Offering a full suite of LED products and eco-friendly technologies, these smart lights help you deliver a customizable and sustainably conscious vacation rental experience.
Other helpful features for Airbnb hosts:
- Wide range of colors and brightness levels
- Wi-Fi enabled for easy control and setup
- Versatile lighting options for different guest needs throughout the property
3. TP-Link Kasa Smart Lights
TP-Link Kasa Smart Lights are affordable, easy to install, and user-friendly. These smart lights can be controlled via the Kasa app or voice commands via a voice assistant. Kasa Smart Lights also work seamlessly with other Kasa smart devices, allowing you to create a fully integrated smart home experience, enhancing guest convenience and comfort.
Additional smart lighting features for hosts to consider:
- Easy to schedule and automate lighting
- Security enhancement with away mode
- Simplified energy monitoring with real-time tracking
Tips for Implementing Smart Lighting in Your Airbnb
Smart lighting levels up your Airbnb by delivering convenient, customizable lighting control through smartphones, tablets, or voice commands. This technology improves guest experience with features like motion-sensor lights and dimmable options, supporting energy savings and increased safety.
Smart Lighting Ideas for Different Spaces
Use smart lighting to improve your property’s appeal and functionality. For outdoor areas, motion-sensor lights are a great choice. These lights turn on when they detect movement, helping guests feel safe when arriving at night. You can also schedule outdoor lights to turn on at sundown and off at sunrise. This ensures the property is well-lit throughout the night and helps save energy during the day. Additionally, decorative smart lights can enhance the look of patios or gardens, creating a welcoming and memorable atmosphere.
Inside the property, smart lighting can enhance the guest experience in every room. In the living room, dimmable smart lights can create a cozy ambiance for watching TV or relaxing. Guests can adjust the room’s brightness, personalizing the space. In the bedroom, voice-activated lights make it easy for guests to control the lighting without getting out of bed or when entering the room. Smart lighting can also be set to gently wake guests up in the morning with gradually increasing light, mimicking a sunrise, and dim in the evening to help them wind down for sleep.
In the kitchen and dining areas, smart lighting can serve different purposes. Bright task lighting is important for cooking and preparing food, ensuring the space is well-lit and safe. For dining, dimmable lights can create a warm and inviting atmosphere for enjoyable mealtimes. Using smart lighting throughout various rooms offers guests a better experience, making each space in your property feel thoughtfully finished.
Best Practices for Installing Smart Lights
When installing smart lighting in your Airbnb property, it’s important to ensure compatibility with your other smart devices and systems. Before purchasing smart bulbs, plugs, or switches, check that they work with your existing Wi-Fi network and smart home hub, if you have one.
Some smart lighting systems are only compatible with specific brands or versions of smart speakers like Alexa or Google Home. Ensuring all your smart devices can communicate with each other will provide a seamless experience for your guests and fewer calls or text messages to you looking for help.
Another best practice is to sync your smart lighting with other smart home devices on the property. For example, you can connect your smart lights to a smart thermostat or security system to create an integrated and automated home environment. This helps enhance guest convenience and safety.
Establish schedules for lights to turn on and off at specific times, such as turning on outdoor lights at sundown and off at sunrise. You can also create routines for different times of the day, like bright lighting in the morning and dimmer lighting in the evening. Routines save energy and ensure optimal lighting for your guests.
How to Provide Easy-to-Understand Instructions for Guests
Ensure your Airbnb guests can easily use the smart lighting in your home by providing clear and simple instructions. Place a printed guide in a visible spot, like on a table or near the entrance. Use step-by-step instructions with simple language and include pictures if possible. Explain how to turn lights on and off, dim them, change colors, and use voice commands. Include any relevant app names, passwords, and how to connect to the Wi-Fi if needed.
It’s also helpful to provide basic troubleshooting tips. Let guests know what to do if a light isn’t working, such as checking the Wi-Fi connection or resetting the smart device. Include your contact information for additional help in case they encounter issues. Clear instructions and troubleshooting tips will make your guests feel more comfortable and ensure they can fully enjoy the home’s smart lighting features.
Smart Lighting: A Bright Idea for Airbnb Hosts
Implementing smart lighting in your Airbnb is a worthwhile investment that enhances the guest experience, improves property safety, and generates cost savings and energy efficiencies. Ensuring compatibility, syncing other home devices, and establishing routines can maximize the benefits of smart lighting. By installing user-friendly and reliable systems, you offer guests a comfortable and customizable stay, helping you earn 5-star reviews from happy guests.
