If you are thinking of making better home lighting that can be controllable by Alexa or Google Assistant, you do need to replace your bulbs with smart bulbs.

Instead, installing a smart light Switch is the smart idea that can control your current fixtures. And, the good news is you do not need to call your electrician, you can do this on your own.

With the help of some tools, installing these smart Switches is as simple as regular switches. You can control these switches with smartphone apps or manually. So, let me walk you through all the important steps to install a smart switch.

How to Install a Smart Light Switch Properly (Step by Step)

Step 1: Learn Your Existing Switch Set-up

First, you need to figure out what type of switch you need before purchasing a smart light switch. It’s very simple if you have only one switch on your wall (for light or ceiling fan) that means you’ll need a single gang switch.

But you have two switches on your wall (one for light and one for the ceiling fan) which means you’ll need a two-gang-switch. Just like that you have three gang switches means you’ll need three gang switches. 

Step 2: Identify the Type of Wiring

To identify the wiring, you have to shut off your power from the fuse box and you should do it to avoid any electric shock. The second thing you need to do is grab a voltage.

And, if you have a non-contact voltage tester that means you’ll not have to jumble with wires. 

Step 3: Find the Switch Where you Want to Install Your Smart Switch

This step is very simple, all you need to do is open up or unscrew the screws on the wall plate (these screws are located on the bottom and top of the plate).

With the help of a butter knife or screwdriver, take off the plate off the wall, often, this plate sticks because of the dried paint.  Now, gently pull off the plate from the wall. 

Step 4: Inspect the “In” and “Out” Wire

Make sure you check your existing switch has four main types of wire to install a new smart switch. It requires a ground wire, an ‘in’, and ‘out’ wire, and a neutral wire.

If you’re living in an old home like in a 1980s home you will miss the neutral wire is a white wire or a group of white wires. But if you do not have a neutral wire then you have to purchase a special kind of smart light switch that does not require a neutral wire.

You can check this new affiliate of the smart switch from amazon without a neutral wire.

Step 5: Extract Your Old Switch

Now, remove your old switch from the wall after disconnecting all the wires one by one. To avoid confusion, make a note of which wire this is (‘in’ or ‘out’).

A simple trick is to remember these wires, use colorful electric tapes, and label them as you want. 

Step 6: Connect your Smart Light Switch

Once you recognize every wire in your wiring setup, now time to connect your smart light switch. It’s pretty simple, you will have to use a wire stripper and connect the ‘in’ wire to the ‘in’ wire, the ‘out’ wire to the out, and so on.

You will find the user manual with the switch if you find any confusion, you can go through that as well. That will help!

Step 7: Test the Wire

It’s time to check the new switch, now turn on the power from your breaker switch. If your switch is turned on that means it’s ready to work but it does not then..

Step 8: Turn off the Power from Fuse Box

If your new smart switch is not working then you must turn off the power from the fuse box before playing around with the wires.

There are chances one of the wires is loose if your switch is not working. The box might be tight but do not push the wall box forcefully, it may lead all your wires loose and that will be a headache for you to find the right wire to organize them. 

Step 9: Screw Up the Smart Light Switch

Once you place all the wires correctly and the smart light installation is done without any problem then snap the light switch to the wall and screw it up. Your work is almost done.

Step 10: Connect Your New Smart Switch to the Internet

We are done with the hard part, now download the smart light app and connect this to your internet.

Once you have done it, name your switch as per your preference and connect it with Alexa or Google Home to control this by your voice. 

How Smart Light Switches Work?

Smart light switches control the flow of power, these switches are connected to your home’s electrical system. They are smart and can be controlled via smartphone apps or home assistance devices with the help of the internet.

They can turn on and off the switch offline directly from the switch panel on the wall and this can be done with or without an internet connection. This is a complete smart home setup. 

Benefits of Smart Lights Switches

• When you are outside of your home, you can still enhance your home’s security with one click of your phone to turn on and off the lights. 
• You do not need to change the bulbs or lighting, it also works on your existing fixtures.
• Smart light switches can save your money, when you are outside of your home you can dim or turn off your house light anytime. 
• With this switch you can control your lights from anywhere with the help of the internet, these switches are highly accessible. 
• Another benefit of these switches is, you can control your lights with your voice assistants (Google Assistant or Alexa).
• You can schedule your light timing, so you do not need to touch your phone or app to turn on or off the lights. 

Features of Smart lights Switches

We already discussed the benefits but the features of smart light switches are remarkably outstanding. Check the below points and find the most useful features for you. 

• The first and most important feature is the ability to control this from the wall panel, voice assistant, and mobile app.
• You can schedule the timing to turn on and off the lights. 
• You can control the light and dim the light as per your requirements. 

Questions & Answers – How to Install a Smart Light Switch

Can I install smart switches myself?

Yes, you can install it yourself if you have some electronic tools handy with you (screwdriver, electric voltage etc.). But, you must have a little electronic experience. If you are still facing issues then you can go with the smart light switches manual. 

Do you need an electrician to install a smart light switch?

Installing a smart light switch is an easy task just like replacing other switches at your home. But if you never did any electronic thing then I will recommend you to call an electrician. 

How do I connect my smart light switch?

1. Learn Your Existing Switch Set-up.
2. Identify the Type of Wiring.
3. Inspect the “In” and “Out” Wires.
4. Extract Your Old Switch
5. Connect your Smart Light Switch

How much does an electrician charge to install a smart light switch?

Generally, an electrician charges $50 to $100 but this also depends on which gang switch you want to install. Also, what kind of electricity do you have at your home.

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