Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or not, there’s no denying the allure of the smart home concept, which is hardly complete without smart bulbs.
Although there are many questions about their unique function, a popular one deals with leaving their switch on most of the day.
Will the smart bulbs consume too much energy or will they be unsafe if left on all the time?
You can safely leave the switch of smart bulbs on all the time as they don’t consume too much energy. Though they are also active when they don’t emit light, the energy expenditure is minimal. From a safety viewpoint, there is also little risk in leaving their switch on all the time.
Continue reading this article to learn more about smart bulbs and how they work.
I will also discuss case scenarios when it’s better to switch them off and whether or not constant switching on and off will damage them.
How Smart Bulbs Work
Thanks to the relative affordability of these bulbs, they’ve become quite popular in recent years.
Everyone undoubtedly wants the convenience they provide along with the related energy savings.
Smart bulbs always need electricity for their operation as they’re electrical appliances, so leaving their switch on allows them access to it.
Although you can quickly switch the button on and off whenever you want, doesn’t that defeat the purpose of purchasing smart bulbs in the first place?
Let’s investigate what smart bulbs really are.
Smart Bulbs and all its perks
Smart bulbs are LED bulbs with special extra functions.
They do more than just constant room lighting, including color customization, remote controllability, and scheduling.
Some also have built-in speakers to play any music of your choice and the ability to control the light intensity easily.
You can set your own unique mood at home with the multiple color options of smart bulbs.
In addition to solid colors, a multi-color light feature can help you set a carefully curated scene.
Moreover, this light feature is indispensable for early risers, as humans naturally respond to gradual sunlight.
You can use smart bulbs to recreate a sunrise with scheduling.
Scheduling the lights to turn on or off when required during the day makes them the perfect alarm.
As for remote controllability, different brands of smart bulbs have various ways of controlling them.
Some use built-in Bluetooth radios to connect with phones within a specific range.
Others use internet connection with Wi-Fi radios connected to routers.
Moreover, almost every smart bulb can function with voice assistants like Google Assistant, Amazon’s Alexa, or Apple’s Siri.
Follow the required steps to connect it with your preferred assistant, and you’ll be able to send commands with a simple statement.
When you turn off the switch of a smart bulb, it is impossible to enjoy any of these functionalities.
Flipping the switch off breaks the circuit, cutting out electricity from the bulbs completely.
And without access to electricity, your bulb can’t turn on at all.
You can turn its light off on your bulb’s control system when you no longer need it.
It won’t cut out its electricity, making it possible for you to use your control to switch it back on.
You also don’t need to worry about the safety of leaving the switch on every time because the manufacturers have extensively tested them.
If you don’t already have an issue with your electric appliances or wiring, fire breakouts or electric shocks shouldn’t be a concern.
When Should You Turn Your Smart Bulb’s Switch Off
As mentioned, smart bulbs are “vampire appliances,” meaning they consume negligible energy when they don’t emit light.
However, there are instances when it is better to turn off their switch, especially if you won’t need them for some time.
Let’s go through a few of these scenarios:
Switch Off When Going to Bed
There’s no need to keep your bulb’s switch on when you sleep.
An electrical glitch from another part of your home could destroy its fuse to protect its circuit from overloading.
If you aren’t using its dimming effect, it doesn’t take much effort to click its switch button off at night and then on again at dawn.
Switch Off When Leaving for a Vacation
Experts always advise turning off all electrical appliances if you’re leaving home for a long time, and the same rule applies to smart bulbs.
Many disastrous things could happen, including a power surge from an electric storm which could ruin your bulbs.
Unless you are looking to deceive people like possible burglars by deterring them with your automated lighting, please flip their switch off on your way out.
Switch Off When You Already Have Electrical Glitches
If you already have an electrical issue like leakages, switch off all bulbs immediately before calling a professional.
Your bulb could short-circuit and ruin itself, so it’s best not to gamble with its lifespan.
Completely cutting its supply of electricity is the safest move.
Does Flipping Smart Bulbs Switch On and Off Every Time Damage Them?
It’s normal to feel somewhat scared for your smart bulb’s lifespan because of how much you enjoy its functionalities.
Since you’re always looking for the best way to ensure it lasts long, will incessant flipping of its switch destroy it?
Flipping your smart bulbs switch on and off won’t damage them because they are made from LEDs.
Unlike incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, LED bulbs don’t have any filament to degrade, which causes damage.
Moreover, LED bulbs require much lower current flow, favoring a longer lifespan.
So, don’t worry about damaging them when you switch them on and off. You aren’t shortening their lifespan.
Can You Leave the Switch On All the Time for Smart Bulbs? Conclusion
You can leave your smart bulbs switched on permanently to utilize their smart functionalities quickly and easily.
Unless you have underlying electrical issues, doing so won’t compromise your home safety.
However, consider flipping their switch off when you go on vacation or if your home experiences electrical glitches.
Keep in mind that turning on and off their switch won’t shorten your bulb’s lifespan.