Creating a Sunset-Led Outdoor Lighting Routine

Hello everyone, I’ve been exploring ways to optimize my outdoor lighting system and thought I’d share my journey. My goal is to have my outdoor lamps turn on at sunset and automatically switch off at 11 PM. While this seems straightforward, I wanted to ensure the setup was both efficient and reliable.I started by researching the best approach within SmartThings. I considered using the built-in sunset sensor, which automatically detects local sunset times. Pairing this with a timer seemed like the logical step. I was excited to find that SmartThings allows for such automation without the need for complex coding or additional hardware.Initially, I faced some confusion regarding the integration of sunset detection with the timer function. After some trial and error, I realized that creating a routine within the SmartThings app was the simplest solution. I set up the routine to activate at sunset, turning on the outdoor lights, and another to deactivate at 11 PM, turning them off.Testing the setup was a breeze, and it worked perfectly on the first try. It’s amazing how seamlessly SmartThings integrates these features. Now, I can enjoy the convenience of automatic outdoor lighting without worrying about energy wastage or manually adjusting the timings.I’d love to hear from others who have implemented similar routines or have additional tips to enhance this setup. It’s always great to learn from the community and discover new ways to optimize our smart homes. Thanks for reading, and happy automating!