Smart Switches and Hub Compatibility: My Experience and Tips

Hello everyone, I’ve been diving into the world of smart home automation and wanted to share my experiences with smart switches and hub compatibility. I recently set up smart switches for my garage lights, and it’s been quite a journey! I started with a door/window sensor that worked perfectly, but the challenge came with integrating the smart switches.

I have two light switches for my garage—one inside the garage and another in the house. Replacing the regular switch with a smart switch in the garage was straightforward, but I had a concern: what if someone manually turned off the lights using the non-smart switch in the house? Would that interfere with the smart functionality? After some research and testing, I found that it doesn’t break the system, which was a relief!

For those looking into smart switches, I’d recommend starting with a reliable brand and ensuring compatibility with your existing setup. I also explored whether certain bulbs require a hub, like the Osram Lightify line, and learned that while some brands need a hub, others like LIFX don’t. This was helpful for expanding my setup without adding unnecessary complexity.

If you’re new to this, my advice is to plan your setup carefully, check compatibility, and don’t hesitate to seek advice from forums like this one. The community here is invaluable, and I’ve learned so much from others’ experiences. Happy automating! :rocket: