The ability to have a light switch turn off and on by itself would be great, wouldn’t it? Well, we are in the greatest technology movement that we have seen right now. So is it possible? That is the question I hope to answer.
Back story
I talked about how I tried to be smart when it came to building my house back in 1999 by adding plugs that are controlled by a switch so it be easy on me and it makes me look really smart.
It did for the longest time. We could turn it on and off very easily. However, when we weren’t home. It didn’t do anything but just sat there turned off. So the house looked dark and lonely.
I got a couple of smart plugs (but this is a topic for another blog post). I needed something to control the plugs that were controlled by light switches. That would make my life a whole lot better.
Smart Switch
I am not sure when these became a thing, they could have back in the 1400’s and I just found them now. But, this has been a life saver.
My neighbor suggested that I use the Kasa smart switch, by TP-Link. He uses them for his house. So I thought what the heck. I picked up 1 of these on Amazon back in Oct. of 2019. Then I bought a couple more for a total of 3.
The model number I got was Kasa Smart (HS200) here are the features:
- Single Pole
- Needs neutral Wire
- 2.4Ghz WIFI
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- UL Certified
Was this what I needed.
Install
I am sure I have a video or pictures of my son installing it. Yes, I made him do it he needs to learn how to do this type of stuff. I mean I learned when I was little how to do this. I was there to supervise.
The install went quick, well we had to install several smart switches that day 3 total, and fix 4 other light switches. Yes, one of those was another brand of Smart Switch. I will talk about that in the next post.
What these operate
The three Kasa switches I have I labeled them
- Living room light
- Cairo Light
- Fireplace
I have a lamp in two of those places the Fireplace just means to me that the plug is by the fireplace, it doesn’t operate the fireplace. There was a lamp there but I moved the lamp or I should say my wife told me to move it, and it powers the Christmas stuff at Christmas time.
Useful
I know I am not like a lot of people or people who don’t think like me. I don’t know. When my aunt and uncle built their house they had one outlet per plug in the living room on a switch. So if you plugged anything in the top plug you would have to turn on a switch. They think along my lines. They want to control the flow of power to certain lights when needed and have a method of turning them all off at one time.
These can be used to turn on other stuff as well. Like what gadget guy. Well, let me tell you.
- Outside lights
- To turn on at dusk and off at dawn
- To turn on a ceiling fan
- Bedroom lights
I could go on, but you can turn on anything that runs on a switch. Now that is smart.
Yes, this runs on an app, here is what It looks like.
Check out the video below
My opinion
Well, did you think I would not give my opinion. I like these switches, they have helped me out in so many ways. I can now have lights on at certain times and it turns lights off at certain times. It makes life a lot better. Now I can go on a trip. Knowing that the house isn’t dark and lonely and will attract the bad people of the world.
This is a different type of post then my usual ones, I thought I would try a different approach. I hope you liked it.
