Types of Lutron Lighting Controls: A Comprehensive Guide
Many people still think of lighting control as a simple basic switch—enter the room, flip it on; leave, flip it off. But today, lighting control has evolved. It’s about creating comfort, enhancing security, and blending into the aesthetics of your space. With Homeva and Lutron, you can go beyond the switch to control intensity, color, and timing.
Other benefits include:
- Customizable lighting scenes for diverse moods and occasions
- Enhanced energy conservation through smart scheduling and dimming
- Seamless integration with other smart home devices for total control
This comprehensive guide will dive into the different types of lighting controls we use and where they best fit into your home design.
Homeva Team Tip: Lighting control should be considered very early in a project. Doing so will increase the functionality of a space, expand design choices, and create harmony between the home and its features.
Basic Switches
Basic switches are the straightforward option for rooms that need “on” or “off” light control. More complex switches can be programmed to be controlled manually or automatically. Basic switches can be wired or battery-powered and can be mounted anywhere. With styles like toggles, push buttons, and rockers (such as Lutron’s sleek Sunnata switch), they work well in closets, garages, and workspaces. They don’t offer dimming or the customization that other controls do, but sometimes full light is all you need—especially in areas where function is more important than ambiance.
Dimmer Switches
Lutron has a long history of light control. They literally invented the first residential dimmer! With such a rich history of innovation behind them, these devices are developed to provide smooth and flicker-free dimming with an elegant design that enhances the home’s interior decor while offering a comfortable, functional environment.
Like basic switches, dimmer switches deliver on-and-off control but add the ability to adjust light intensity to create different atmospheres. Imagine, in the evening, you are ready to unwind from the day and relax. You set the mood by dimming the dining room lights and enjoy dinner with your favorite glass of wine. Afterward, you need increased light intensity for the post-dinner cleanup. Dimmer switches allow you to go from “cozy dinner” to “clean-up time” with a twist of a dial or a touch of a smooth, illuminated slider – with no harsh transitions.
Dimmers can also be stand-alone to function as a standard local control, or they can function as part of a wireless system, such as HomeWorks, to allow for simple, whole-home or room control.
For those accustomed to traditional lighting controls, dimmers are a convenient, simple option that provides a dramatically improved lighting experience. Dimming also saves energy, making it a smart option for any space.
Homeva Team Tip: For the best dimming performance, it’s important that the dimmer is compatible with the light fixture it’s meant to control. Tight compatibility will ensure flicker-free light, even at .1% intensity.
Occupancy Motion Sensors and Timers
Sensors align lighting and functionality in a space. Occupancy and motion sensors send signals to turn on lighting when they detect movement or infrared radiation. They can turn lights on when movement is detected and off when a space is empty, making them ideal for high-traffic areas where physical switches are more likely to be out of reach, like hallways, garages, or outdoor spaces.
Sensors can also be programmed to adjust lighting levels in response to daylight throughout the day for optimal comfort and efficiency. For example, cooler, more energizing light in the afternoon and warm, dim light in the evening.
Using sensors and timers to turn off and on lights is a hands-free way to add convenience. These are excellent solutions for stairways, late-night trips to the bathroom or kitchen, and early risers starting their morning routine before the sun.
Homeva Team Tip: For luxury homes, we recommend integrating timers into the control system that can automatically adjust according to the time of year or your family’s changing habits. We can set schedules for personalized lighting scenes, seasonal changes, and events like vacations where you need to simulate presence.
Keypads
Keypads maximize versatility and provide full functionality in a smaller, more intuitive space than the typical bank of switches or dimmers. They not only reduce the number of switches needed but also provide precise control over brightness and can control a wide range of functions. They are also available as both wired and wireless.
Keypad control functions include:
- Tuning lights
- Adjusting thermostats
- Playing music
- Setting an alarm system
- Controlling multiple zones
By grouping zones, we can create custom lighting scenes that add ease in enhancing the ambiance and functionality of a space. Scenes can be made up of multiple zones and multiple light intensities, enabling you to issue different commands to lights across zones. Imagine an “Entertain” scene in a living or dining room that dims ambient and task lighting, adjusts the accent lights around your artwork to a vibrant glow, raises window shades, and turns on music. All with just the touch of a button!
Furthermore, keypads are part of the small design details people notice. Lutron offers a handcrafted collection of elegant finishes and colors to complement any design in materials, including metal, graphite, and glass. They are custom engraved to improve ease of use and deliver ultimate personalization.
Here are two of our favorites:
Bespoke design
Sleek rounded edges
Circular buttons in a halo of light
Elegant finish options
Up to 9 configurable buttons
Integrates with Lutron HomeWorks control system
Bespoke design
Sleek rounded edges
Circular buttons in a halo of light
Elegant finish options
Up to 9 configurable buttons
Integrates with Lutron HomeWorks control system
Tactile buttons
Backlit text that automatically adjusts to ambient light levels
Matte, metal, or glass finishes
Color options for every design style
Integrates with Lutron Homeworks control system
Tactile buttons
Backlit text that automatically adjusts to ambient light levels
Matte, metal, or glass finishes
Color options for every design style
Integrates with Lutron Homeworks control system
Tactile buttons
Backlit text that automatically adjusts to ambient light levels
Matte, metal, or glass finishes
Color options for every design style
Integrates with Lutron Homeworks control system
Lighting Control Systems
For those looking to integrate lighting control across the entire home, Lutron’s lighting control systems (like Caséta and HomeWorks) offer seamless connections across devices. Additionally, control systems can be wireless—connected to a digital network—or wired. You can adjust lighting from a keypad, an app, or even through voice commands. To ensure seemless integration, these systems are best installed by a professional. Trained installers can configure whole-home control for you: full customization that blends smart lighting, shading, and more for total convenience and precise management.
Lutron has a broad portfolio of lighting control systems with different styles and configurations that we use to meet homeowners’ needs and preferences.
Turn This:
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Networked Lighting Control
Networked lighting control systems are made of luminaires and control devices that send and receive data. This data makes the system more efficient. It includes performance data, critical health data, and occupancy sensor sharing. When applicable, this data helps with system learning and transmits information about whether a room is occupied to HVACs and security systems.
There are four types of networked lighting control systems: localized, centralized, distributed intelligence, and hybrid. Let’s explore the differences of each one.
Localized
In a localized system, each lighting zone has its own switch or dimmer. Localized lighting controls allow you to dim and switch loads without requiring communication with the processor. This creates a failsafe operation of all lights. These systems are the simplest to use and are ideal for those who want to add a control system at any time, with or without prewiring. Keypads are a great way to simplify the control of multiple lights in a localized network, especially in highly trafficked locations.
Centralized
Centralized lighting control systems use keypads rather than traditional dimmers or switches in each room. Lights dim using power modules installed in remote panels, typically in a utility closet or equipment room. Electrical wiring for all lighting must route through these panels before running to the lights.
Distributed Intelligence
Ketra lighting, a Lutron company, is a great example of distributed intelligence. Distributed intelligence systems integrate smart technology into the light fixture directly, so you can control lights and modify zones whenever needed, without any rewiring. This kind of system can be paired with a centralized network system to control every load in the house, using keypads, dimmers, and integration devices.
Hybrid
A hybrid designed system combines all of the above, using each where it is best suited. Keypads powered by remote panels control the lights. Typically, we advise placing these strategically to minimize wall clutter in areas where control and design aesthetics are important, such as high-traffic areas and primary bedrooms. We can install local lighting controls where simpler, more familiar controls are preferred, like guest rooms, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. Hybrid design is an excellent choice for those who want to expand their system later.
Integrated Lighting Control
Basic lighting control systems can only control electric lighting. With Lutron, we can coordinate with the other systems and devices in your home, like shades, fans, audio, TVs, HVAC , and security to create a full network with high-level control over everything.
Imagine your home raising or lowering shades automatically at optimal times to let in natural light and protect interiors from glare and UV damage. Your home’s alarm system is fully integrated to trigger interior lights to full brightness and make exterior lights flash in case of an emergency. Even fans, motors, relays, and remotes can be connected and controlled. Integration supports a more fluid, intuitive experience for you to interact with your home. Now that is luxury!
Smart Home Connected Lighting Control
Smart lighting uses LED bulbs with innovative software that can communicate with a remote control, app, or smart home assistant to automate lights or control them remotely. Lights are connected to a home’s electrical wiring, but can also be controlled wirelessly from anywhere. With no visible fixtures or switches in the home, you can dim lights, modify color and color temperature, set schedules, and create custom scenes. They can also connect to other devices in a smart home network such as cameras, sound systems, or thermostats.
This type of smart lighting requires a reliable Wi-Fi connection.
Lutron’s lighting systems are designed to work with a variety of smart devices, making it easy to build a cohesive smart home environment.
Key integration features include:
- Compatibility with major voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and Josh.ai.
- Remote control via Lutron’s mobile app for managing lights from anywhere.
- Integration with third-party smart devices for comprehensive home automation.
In short, these integrations elevate the smart home experience, allowing you to focus on comfort and security. With Homeva and Lutron, automated lighting becomes an integral part of a well-organized, modern luxury home.
Choosing the Right System for Your Home or Project
Selecting the ideal lighting controls and network system depends on your specific needs and home environment. Booking a free consultation with a Homeva specialist is the easiest way to explore the options and find out what’s best for your family.
We consider factors such as home size, desired features, and future scalability. Whether retrofitting or new construction, we can provide versatile solutions to fit your specific needs.
Key considerations include:
- Home Size: Will you need systems and controls tailored for smaller spaces or expansive properties?
- Feature Set: Do you need basic controls or prefer a lifestyle of ease with advanced automation features?
- Scalability: We make sure every system we install is capable of growing with your evolving needs.
By evaluating these aspects, we aim to ensure a lighting solution that aligns with your lifestyle or project requirements.
Elevating Your Home with Automated Lighting Controls
Now that you have a more comprehensive understanding of Lutron lighting controls, hopefully, the seamless blend of innovation, luxury, and functionality is clear! For us at Homeva, we use these sophisticated systems to elevate your home and help you change the way you interact with your living spaces daily.