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If it feels like your utility bills are getting more expensive each month, you’re not imagining things. Since 2021, the average monthly cost for residential electricity has risen by almost 30%. You could adjust the thermostat, as heating and cooling often account for the largest portion of your usage, but spending the summer in a hot, stuffy house can be miserable. Another option for saving you money on your electric bill, that requires no suffering on your end, is investing in smart lighting.
How can smart lighting reduce your electric bill?
Smart lighting is more advanced than your basic bulb. Instead of traditional incandescent bulbs, smart lighting uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs). According to the Department of Energy, LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy, and they can last up to 25 times longer, making this modern lighting far superior. The governmental agency also reports that this simple switch from old-fashioned bulbs to the newer LEDs can reduce the cost of your yearly electric bill by $225. However, the use of LEDs isn’t the only way smart lighting can help you save.
Smart lighting comes in two forms: a smart light bulb or a complete smart lighting fixture, such as a table lamp or floor light. These smart lighting devices have a wireless connection, often through Bluetooth or WiFi. Because of this connectivity, they are paired directly to your smartphone or smart home system, whether that is an Amazon Alexa or Google Nest, so you can turn them on or off from wherever you are. This is quite helpful at nighttime, because instead of fumbling for a switch in the dark, you can use a voice command to brighten up the room. If you’re out having dinner with friends, and suddenly remember you left every light on in your home, you could just pull out your phone and turn them off. As a result, you’ll have less energy wasted from accidentally leaving the lights on.
Additionally, most smart lights allow you to create automated schedules, so you can have them automatically turn off at a specific time each night. This means when you’re lying in bed at night, you don’t have to get up again after realizing you forgot to shut off a lamp. When you’re on vacation, keeping this scheduled automation makes it appear someone is still at the house, which can discourage any potential burglars who would want to take advantage of the unattended home. So not only can smart lighting save you money, but it can also increase the overall security of your space.
Smart LED light bulb deals at Walmart
Walmart’s competing Prime Day sale, Walmart Summer Deals, is happening now and runs through Sunday, June 28, making it a great time to stock up on any items you’ve been wanting to score at a lower price. The savings event provides a plethora of deals that allow you to invest in smart lighting for your home for less. You can update your existing lamps and light fixtures with this smart technology by swapping out any standard bulbs. If you want something that looks just like a regular bulb with that classic golden glow, the GE Cync A19 Smart LED Light Bulb does just that while also pairing with Amazon or Google smart home assistants, and it’s on sale for only $9. If you go for the four-pack of Linkind Smart Light Bulbs, you’ll get an even better value, as they’re discounted to around $4 apiece.
You can also get LED light bulbs with nifty features outside of just pairing with a smart assistant. If you want to lower the lights at the end of a day to create an ambiance that is more conducive to relaxation, the Linkind A19 Matter Smart Light Bulb allows you to adjust the lighting and is dimmable from 1% to 100%. They also have turnable white capabilities, meaning you can illuminate the room with a bright blue light or go to the opposite end of the spectrum for a golden cozy glow. Of course, shades of white aren’t your only options. By opting for something like the Daybetter Smart Color-Changing LED Light Bulbs, you can have nearly endless possibilities with 16 million colors.
GE Cync A19 Smart LED Light Bulb
Linkind 4-Pack of Smart Light Bulbs
Linkind A19 Matter Smart Light Bulb
Daybetter Smart Color-Changing LED Light Bulbs
Monster Dimmable Smart LED Light Bulb
Smart lamps and lighting fixtures at Walmart Summer Deals
If your home lacks lighting, a smart floor lamp or tabletop lamp is a great way to add some much-needed illumination. You can find styles, like the Daybetter LED Floor Lamp, that have a classic design, but are upgraded with a smart bulb. We like this selection because it’s on sale for $30, which is what you could expect to pay for a regular lamp, but it also comes with an 800-lumen smart LED bulb, so you’re saving yourself money on the often additional purchase. You could make any lamp a smart light by putting in a more advanced bulb, but there are also lamp options that are more high-tech.
If you want something that looks modern, the Finedea LED Corner Floor Lamp is a stellar selection. It can glow basic white, or you can adjust it to literally any color you can imagine through the smartphone app. You can even have it sync to the beat of music for a dynamic lights show. The one potential downside to these types of smart lamps, including the Govee Smart Table Lamp and the Philips Hue Gradient Signe Table Lamp, is that they have built-in LED bulbs, so you can’t easily replace them once they eventually burn out. Phillips, the light bulb company, reports that LED bulbs last 25,000 to 50,000 hours, so even if you were to keep the lamp on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it could last for more than 17 years. With these numbers, you will have gotten plenty of use out of the lighting before it needs updating, and after a decade, you’ll likely be ready for a newer style anyway.
Daybetter LED Floor Lamp
Finedea LED Corner Floor Lamp
Govee Smart Table Lamp
Philips Hue Gradient Signe Table Lamp
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