Here's how to make normal 'dumb' lights smart

A smarthome installation is increasingly common. Lighting, too, is often an important part of such an installation. A smarthome installation often involves replacing all lighting, but did you know that this can be done much cheaper and easier? We explain that in this blog.

Controlling dumb lights smartly

When people choose to make their home, and thus the lighting, smart, they often choose to replace the lighting with smart bulbs. These smart lights are often very expensive and cause unnecessary hassle. This is easily solved by replacing not the bulbs, but the lighting controls.

For example, you can replace your switch or dimmer with a smart dimmer. EcoDim is the market leader in smart dimmers and has several solutions for making 'dumb' lighting smart. Note that the dumb lighting does need to be dimmable.

Possibilities with smart dimmers

In terms of the type of dimmer, you have a number of options. If you want to control the dimmer physically in addition to the smart control, you can choose a smart push/turn dimmer (ECO-DIM.07). This is a dimmer that can be controlled with a push/turn button and a smart home app. There is also a duo version of this dimmer (ECO-DIM.05). With this dimmer, you control two groups of lamps from one flush-mounting box.

The smart module (ECO-DIM.10) is a dimmer that can be combined with one or more push-button switches. It can therefore be controlled smart and can function as a touch dimmer. Do you want to smartly control luminaires in the ceiling? Then choose the inline dimmer (ECO-DIM.13). You simply place this compact dimmer above the ceiling and control it with the smart home app.

The right solution for every situation

Besides the various dimming solutions, there are also various options in terms of smarthome. You will find the right dimmer for every hub. EcoDim has dimmers with 4 different protocols.

Matter

Matter is seen as the future of smarthome. This is because Matter makes smarthome products from different brands work better together. It is also the intention that Matter products can be loaded into all smarthome apps and home automation in the future. This will make choosing a smarthome device ever easier.

Matter works via a Thread Border Router. So you need this to use the protocol. The following devices have such a router:

• HomePod 2023
• HomePod mini (all models)
• Apple TV 4K (2nd generation)
• Apple TV 4K (3rd generation with 128GB storage)
• Homey Pro
• Nanoleaf Shapes, Lines and Essentials
• Amazon Eero 6 / 6 Pro / Beacon
• Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)
• Google Nest Hub Max
• Google Nest WiFi
• Amazon Echo (4th generation)
• SmartThings Hub v3 / SmartThings Station

EcoDim's Matter dimmers: ECO-DIM.07 Matter, ECO-DIM.10 Matter and ECO-DIM.17 Matter.

Zigbee

Zigbee is a popular protocol to which many devices can be connected. Among other things, this protocol features Touchlink. With Touchlink, you connect Zigbee products to each other (think of a Zigbee dimmer to a Zigbee wall switch). Zigbee products can be loaded into the following systems:

• Google Home/Nest (via Zigbee hub)
• Amazon Alexa
• Philips Hue
• Homey
• Futurehome
• KlikAanKlikUit
• Aduro smart
• Samsung SmartThings
• WINK
• IKEA Dirigera

These products have the Zigbee protocol: ECO-DIM.07 Zigbee Basic, ECO-DIM.07 Zigbee PRO, ECO-DIM.05 Zigbee, <a title="ECO-DIM.10 Zigbee" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/eco-dim10-zigbee.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ECO-DIM.10 Zigbee</a>, <a title="ECO-DIM.13 Zigbee" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/eco-dim13-zigbee.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ECO-DIM.13 Zigbee</a>, <a title="ECO-DIM.06 Zigbee" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/eco-dim06-zigbee.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ECO-DIM.06 Zigbee</a>, and <a title="all wall switches" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/smart-led-dimmers-en-schakelaars/draadloze-schakelaars/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all wall switches</a>.</p> <h3>WiFi</h3> <p><a title="WiFi" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/smart-led-dimmers-en-schakelaars/wifi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WiFi</a> is a protocol widely used by people who are using a smarthome system for the first time. Because WiFi is already present in most homes and buildings, this is a simple protocol to start with. This also makes it a lot cheaper, as there is no need for a hub, just a smarthome app is enough to use these products. WiFi works with the following apps.</p> <ul> <li>Google Home/Nest</li> <li>Amazon Alexa</li> <li>Nedis</li> <li>KlikAanKlikUit</li> <li>Woox</li> <li>Hombli</li> <li>Homeylux</li> <li>Calex</li> <li>Kruidvat</li> <li>LSC Smart connect (Action)</li> </ul> <p>The WiFi dimmers from EcoDim: <a title="ECO-DIM.07 WIFi" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/eco-dim07-wifi.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ECO-DIM.07 WIFi</a>, <a title="ECO-DIM.05 WiFi" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/eco-dim05-wifi.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ECO-DIM.05 WiFi</a>, <a title="ECO-DIM.10 WiFi" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/eco-dim10-wifi.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ECO-DIM.10 WiFi</a> and <a title="ECO-DIM.13 WiFi" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/eco-dim13-wifi.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ECO-DIM.13 WiFi</a>.</p> <h3>Z-Wave</h3> <p><a title="Z-Wave" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/smart-led-dimmers-en-schakelaars/z-wave/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Z-Wave</a> is a strong protocol suitable for various smarthome systems. Z-Wave is a protocol where a hub is always a requirement. The following systems/hubs work with Z-Wave:</p> <ul> <li>Google Home/Nest (via Z-Wave hub)</li> <li>Homey</li> <li>FIBARO</li> <li>Homee</li> <li>Futurehome</li> <li>WINK</li> </ul> <p>EcoDim's Z-Wave dimmers:<a title="ECO-DIM.07 Z-Wave" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/eco-dim07-zwave.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ECO-DIM.07 Z-Wave</a>, <a title="ECO-DIM.10 Z-Wave" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/eco-dim10-zwave.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ECO-DIM.10 Z-Wave</a> and <a title="ECO-DIM.06 Z-Wave" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/eco-dim06-zwave.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ECO-DIM.06 Z-Wave</a>.</p> <h2>Do you want to know more about smart dimming?</h2> <p>Do you want to know more about smart dimmers, starting a smarthome installation or the different protocols? Then feel free to contact <a title="our customer service" href="https://www.ecodim.nl/nl/service/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our customer service</a>. They will be happy to explain everything about smarthome.</p>