Nothing can transform your lighting experience as much as Nanoleaf smart bulbs.
They’re not only energy-efficient and good for the environment but also enable you to set different moods just by changing the lighting.
They’re perfect for indoor use, but what if you want to use them to transform your porch or backyard?
Nanoleaf smart bulbs can be used outside. However, they are not guaranteed to be reliable or durable as they are meant to be used indoors at room temperature. When you use them outdoors, your best bet is to use extra protection to shield them from humidity and extremely high temperatures.
Nanoleaf products are not waterproof and cannot withstand even the high humidity of a bathroom – which is one of the main reasons you shouldn’t use them outside.
However, you can use Nanoleaf smart bulbs outside, provided you implement some protective measures, as I’ll discuss in this article.
How To Use Nanoleaf Smart Bulbs Outside
Nanoleaf smart bulbs are designed for indoor use.
However, if you can regulate the immediate environment of the bulb, you should be able to use it outdoors without a problem.
To use a Nanoleaf smart bulb outside, do the following:
- Ensure the bulb is protected by a suitable enclosure.
- Ensure the temperature of the enclosure is regulated.
- Ensure the bulb is close enough to receive the signal.
I’ll discuss each of these requirements below.
Ensure the Bulb Is Protected by a Suitable Enclosure
Direct contact with rain and snow is the worst problem your Nanoleaf smart bulbs can face.
Nanoleaf products are not waterproof.
Furthermore, they are not designed to withstand high humidity.
Nanoleaf even advises against using their products in areas like bathrooms where they would be exposed to condensation and steam.
If you want to use Nanoleaf smart bulbs outside, you must protect them from direct contact with any form of precipitation.
Luckily, most outdoor lighting fixtures, including hanging lanterns, protect against rain and snow.
So, using an outdoor lighting fixture is one way to ensure you get a hassle-free experience when using Nanoleaf smart bulbs outside.
Just make sure that your smart bulb can’t get wet from rain, and you’ll be fine.
If you suspect that your bulb will get wet at some point, you should avoid using a Nanoleaf smart bulb and consider a weather-proof option.
In addition to protecting these bulbs from direct contact with rain, you have to regulate the atmosphere within the enclosure.
Ensure the Temperature of the Enclosure Is Regulated
Extreme temperature is another potential issue when using smart bulbs outside.
If the temperature gets too hot, you will likely have a problem.
Fortunately, most smart bulbs are pretty resilient in the face of cold weather, even when they are made for indoor use only.
One reason for this is that smart bulbs use Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
The efficiency of LED lighting is not affected by cold weather.
Therefore, your Nanoleaf smart bulbs will operate at maximum efficiency even when it’s freezing.
However, extremely high temperatures can limit the amount of light an LED smart bulb produces.
Furthermore, one of the functional components of an LED bulb can get hot.
If your protective enclosure does not allow heat to escape, the resulting heat buildup can reduce the durability of your smart bulb.
The heat buildup problem is a major concern if you live in an area where temperatures can get really high.
If you think excess heat will be a problem for your smart bulb, using an enclosure that protects the bulb from direct sunlight can help.
Ensure the Bulb Is Close Enough To Receive the Signal
For the Nanoleaf smart bulb to work smartly, its controller must stay connected to your local Wi-Fi network.
The strength of the Wi-Fi signal is affected by:
- Distance from the Wi-Fi router.
- The presence of obstacles between the router and the smart bulb controller.
If you place your bulb outside the range of your home’s Wi-Fi signal, you won’t be able to control it remotely, which is the whole point of a smart bulb.
For example, you will lose the ability to change your bulb’s brightness or adjust the light’s color.
If you’re installing the Nanoleaf smart bulb in a close place, for example on your porch, the connection will probably be fine.
If the distance from your Wi-Fi router to the outdoor smart bulb is too big, you might have to use a Wi-Fi extender.
An alternative to Wi-Fi is the relatively new Thread connectivity technology.
Thread is more advanced than Wi-Fi and enables control of Nanoleaf Essentials over longer distances without using a Wi-Fi extender.
Problems With Using Nanoleaf Smart Bulbs Outside
Since Nanoleaf products are not meant for outdoor use, you might encounter some problems if you use them outside. These include:
- Durability issues in areas with extremely high temperatures.
- Performing factory resets may become more difficult.
Below is a brief look at each of these problems.
Durability Issues in Areas With Extremely High Temperature
To use the Nanoleaf smart bulb outside, you need to protect it from precipitation, which often means using a protective enclosure.
Unfortunately, using an enclosure results in another issue, the accumulation of heat.
If the protective enclosure you use doesn’t allow heat to escape, the bulb will not last as long as it should.
However, excess heat doesn’t seem to be a deal-breaker.
Nanoleaf customers have reported using the smart bulb in areas with temperatures as high as 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius) with no issues.
Performing Factory Resets May Become More Difficult
If you run into issues with your Nanoleaf smart bulb, performing a factory reset can help.
For example, a factory reset can resolve pairing and connectivity issues.
Depending on your outdoor installation, performing a factory reset can be difficult.
Some outdoor installations can obstruct the following factory reset process:
- Turn the bulb off.
- Wait for 3 seconds, then turn the bulb on for no more than 3 seconds. Do this five times.
- Perform step 2 until the bulb flashes red three times. This will show that the bulb has reset successfully.
Can Nanoleaf Smart Bulbs Be Used Outside? Conclusion
Nanoleaf smart bulbs can be used outside. However, to use them reliably, you have to:
- Protect them from rain and snow in suitable enclosures
- Ensure that they can receive a strong Wi-Fi signal
- Find a way to cool the protective enclosure to maximize durability
Nanoleaf products aren’t designed for outdoor use.
So, you might face some problems when using them outside.
However, if you take the protective measures listed above, you should be fine.
