Automating Your Bedroom Lights: A 7 Am Wake-Up Call

Automating your bedroom lights to turn on at 7 a.m. can be achieved through various methods, depending on your preferences and the smart home ecosystem you're using. One common approach is to utilise smart bulbs, which can be scheduled to turn on at specific times. This can be done through the bulbs' companion app or by using voice commands with smart assistants like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Another method is to incorporate motion sensors, which can trigger the lights to turn on when movement is detected. Additionally, location-based triggers can be set up so that your lights turn on when you arrive home, and you can also use services like IFTTT to create custom automations.

Use a smart lighting system such as Philips Hue

Automating your bedroom lights to turn on at 7 am is easy with a smart lighting system such as Philips Hue. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you set it up:

Step 1: Get the Right Equipment

First, you'll need to purchase the Philips Hue smart lighting system. The starter kit includes the Hue Bridge, which is the smart light hub that acts as the brain of the system, and some LED bulbs and lamps. You can also choose to add indoor and outdoor motion sensors and security cameras for a more advanced setup.

Step 2: Install and Set Up the System

Connect the Hue Bridge to your internet router. Then, download the Hue app on your smartphone, which will be your main tool for setting up and controlling your smart lighting system.

Step 3: Choose Your Lights

Philips Hue offers a variety of smart bulbs, lamps, and lights to choose from. For your bedroom, you might want to consider the Signe gradient floor and table lamps, which offer subtle, slender designs while providing a blend of brilliant color. You can also use LED strip lights tucked under the bed or behind furniture for soft, diffused lighting.

Step 4: Automate Your Wake-Up Routine

Open the Hue app and press the Routines button (the clock symbol on the top navigation bar). Press the "Wake Up" button, then "Add New" in the bottom right corner. Here, you can set the time for your lights to turn on (7 am in this case), the days you want this routine to repeat, and the fade-in duration. You can also choose the specific rooms and bulbs that will respond to this alarm.

Step 5: Customise Your Lighting Experience

With the Philips Hue system, you can customise your lighting experience to match your preferences. You can set the intensity of the light, choose from a range of colours, and even mimic the sunrise to help you wake up gently and feel more refreshed. The "Go to Sleep" automation gradually dims your lights and transitions to warm, red-toned hues to help you fall asleep more easily.

By following these steps, you can easily automate your bedroom lights to turn on at 7 am using the Philips Hue smart lighting system. With its advanced features and customisation options, you can create a lighting setup that perfectly suits your daily routine and preferences.

Set up a routine with a smart speaker like Alexa

Automating your bedroom lights to turn on at 7 am is a simple task with a smart speaker like Alexa. Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up a routine:

• Open the Alexa App: Begin by opening the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet. This is where you'll configure the routine.
• Access Routines: In the app, navigate to the "More" section and select "Routines". This is where you'll find the option to create a new routine.
• Create a New Routine: Tap on the plus (+) icon in the upper-right corner of the "Routines" page to access the New Routine page. Here, you can customize your light routine.
• Name Your Routine: On the New Routine page, select "Rename" and give your routine a simple name like "Bedroom Lights Routine". Once you're happy with the name, tap "Next" to continue.
• Add an Event: Back on the New Routine page, select "Add an Event". This is where you'll specify when you want your lights to turn on.
• Schedule the Event: Tap on "Schedule" and then choose the "At Time" option. Here, you can set the days and time for your routine. Select the days you want the routine to run by choosing specific days or leaving all days selected. Then, set the time to 7:00 am.
• Add an Action: Tap "Next" and then "Add an Action". Scroll down and select "Smart Home". This is where you'll choose the specific lights you want to control.
• Select Your Lights: Tap on "Lights" and then choose the lights you wish to include in the routine. You can adjust various features for these lights, such as power (on/off), brightness, and colour.
• Finalize the Routine: Once you've selected your lights and their settings, tap "Next" to return to the New Routine page. Here, you can add another action or proceed to save the routine.
• Save the Routine: After reviewing your settings, tap "Save" in the upper-right corner. Your bedroom lights are now automated to turn on at 7 am according to your chosen schedule.

With these steps, you've successfully set up a routine with Alexa to automate your bedroom lights. You can also create multiple routines to customize your lighting throughout the day, such as turning the lights off at a specific time or adjusting their brightness.

Use a third-party service like IFTTT to create a schedule

Using a third-party service like IFTTT is a great way to automate your bedroom lights to turn on at 7 am. IFTTT, which stands for "If This, Then That", is a free platform that lets you create simple connections between different apps and devices, enabling them to communicate with each other.

To get started with IFTTT, you'll first need to create an account on their website or app. Once you have an account, you can begin creating what IFTTT calls "Applets". Applets are simple connections between your apps and devices that follow a basic "if this, then that" structure. In this case, the "if this" will be a time trigger, and the "then that" will be turning on your bedroom lights.

Here's a step-by-step guide to creating an Applet to turn on your bedroom lights at 7 am:

• Go to the IFTTT website and log in to your account.
• Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and select "My Applets".
• Click on the "New Applet" button.
• Click on the "If This" link to set up the trigger for your Applet.
• Search for and select the "Date & Time" service.
• Choose the "Every day at" trigger option.
• Set the time to 7 am.
• Click on the "Then That" link to set up the action for your Applet.
• Search for and select the service that corresponds to your smart light system (e.g. Philips Hue, LIFX, etc.).
• Choose the "Turn on lights" action or a similar option.
• If necessary, select the specific lights you want to control with this Applet.
• Click "Create Action".
• Review your Applet and make sure everything is correct.
• Click "Finish" to save your new Applet.

Now, every day at 7 am, your bedroom lights will turn on automatically thanks to the power of IFTTT! You can also create additional Applets to turn off your lights at a certain time or even create more complex automations using a wide range of compatible services and devices.

Install motion sensors to trigger the lights

Automating your bedroom lights to turn on at 7 am can be achieved by installing motion sensors. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Choose the Right Motion Sensor

There are two main types of motion sensors: passive infrared (PR) sensors and microwave (MW) sensors. PR sensors detect heat emitted by living bodies and are commonly used in urban areas as they are less prone to nuisance trips from electrical background noise. MW sensors, on the other hand, detect reflections of the pulses they continuously emit and are preferred in rural areas for detecting smaller intruders like raccoons. Dual sensor models combine both technologies.

Step 2: Plan the Installation

Decide on the location for your motion sensor, ensuring it is high enough (at least 7 feet from the ground) to cover a large area and detect movement accurately. If you don't have electrical wiring at the desired location and want to avoid installing new wiring, consider wireless solar-powered options with detachable panels that can be placed in a sunny spot.

Step 3: Shut Off Power and Wire the Motion Sensor

Turn off the power at the service panel. If you're replacing an existing light fixture, remove it and run the motion sensor wires through the rubber gasket, splicing them with wire nuts. If not, bring new wiring from any lighting or receptacle circuit in the house or directly from the panel. Ensure all electrical work complies with building code requirements, using weatherproof electrical boxes and grounding the system.

Step 4: Add the Motion Sensor and Restore Power

Securely attach the motion sensor to the desired location, following the manufacturer's instructions. Then, restore power and adjust the sensor's position as needed.

Step 5: Activate and Adjust the Motion Sensor

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to activate the motion sensor. You'll also need to set the duration for how long you want the lights to stay on when triggered. Test the sensor's sensitivity by walking around it and make adjustments if necessary.

Step 6: Finalize the Setup

Once everything is installed and adjusted, leave the light switch in the 'on' position. Your bedroom lights will now automatically turn on at 7 am when the motion sensor detects movement. You can also change to an always-on mode by quickly flipping the wall switch off and on again. To return to motion detection mode, turn the wall switch off for about 10 seconds.

Utilise a smart home hub like SmartThings or Wink Hub

Smart home hubs such as SmartThings and Wink Hub offer a convenient way to automate your bedroom lights to turn on at 7 am. These hubs provide a centralised system to control and automate various smart devices in your home, including lights. Here's a detailed guide on utilising these hubs for your specific automation needs:

SmartThings Setup:

• Open the SmartThings App: On your smartphone, launch the SmartThings app, which serves as a central dashboard for controlling and automating your smart devices.
• Navigate to SmartApps: In the app, select the "Marketplace" tab, located at the bottom-right corner of the screen. From there, tap on the "SmartApps" tab at the top if it isn't already selected.
• Select Lights & Switches: Now, tap on "Lights & Switches" to focus specifically on lighting controls.
• Choose Smart Lights: You'll likely see "Smart Lights" as the first option at the top. Tap on it to proceed.
• Create New Lighting Automation: Tap on "New Lighting Automation" to initiate the setup process for automating your bedroom lights.
• Select the Lights: Tap inside the box that says "Which lights do you want to control?" and then place checkmarks next to the lights you intend to automate, such as your bedroom lights.
• Define the Action: Tap inside the "What do you want to do?" box and select "Turn On" to indicate that you want the chosen lights to turn on.
• Set the Trigger: In the "How do you want to trigger the action?" box, select "Motion" if you want the lights to turn on when motion is detected. Alternatively, you can choose "Time" if you prefer a schedule-based automation.
• Specify Timing or Motion Sensors: If you chose "Time" as the trigger, select 7 am as the desired time for the lights to turn on. If you went with "Motion," choose the appropriate motion sensor, like a sensor located in your bedroom.
• Optional Settings: You can explore additional settings, such as turning off the lights after a certain period of inactivity or customising the automation's name.

Wink Hub Setup:

• Open the Wink App: Start by launching the Wink app on your smartphone, which serves as the central command centre for your Wink Hub and connected devices.
• Access Lights & Power: From the app's home screen, press the "Lights and Power" icon to view all your connected lights, including your bedroom lights.
• Enter Schedule Mode: Click the gear icon (three blue dots on Android) in the top-right corner of the Lights screen. Scroll up until you see the "Schedule" button and select it to start creating your automation schedule.
• Create a New Schedule: Press the "+" sign in the upper-right corner of the page to initiate the creation of a new schedule.
• Name Your Schedule: Type a name for your schedule, such as "Good Morning Lights" or "7 AM Lights On," in the "New Event" space.
• Set the Timing: For iOS, tap "Start" and select the desired date and time, which is 7 am in this case. For Android, tap "Date" to choose the start date and then tap "Time" to set 7 am as the activation time.
• Repeat the Schedule: If you want the lights to turn on at 7 am every day, tap the "Repeat" button and select each day of the week for this schedule.
• Choose the Action: Finally, select "Make this happen" and choose the bedroom lights from the list of connected products. Toggle the desired action by dragging the icon to the right for "On."
• Save the Schedule: Don't forget to click "Save" or "Done" to finalise and save your newly created schedule.

By following these steps for either SmartThings or Wink Hub, you can effectively automate your bedroom lights to turn on at 7 am, making your mornings a bit brighter and more effortless.

Frequently asked questions