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How to Budget for a Whole-House Smart Lighting System

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How to Budget for a Whole-House Smart Lighting System

Get your house automated for about $700 by timing your hardware purchases and spreading the cost over 18 months.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $700 before anything else
Across the 0% window $38.89/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $700 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Smart lighting changes your daily routine by letting you set schedules and mood lighting from your phone. You can usually install a basic bridge-based system throughout an entire home in a single afternoon.

The best time to buy is during major retail holidays, like Black Friday or Prime Day, when companies put their multi-packs on sale. Keep an eye on your favorite brands in the months leading up to these sales to track the lowest prices.

Remember that the 0% period is a deadline, not a gift. If you have any balance remaining after the 18 months are up, you will start paying interest on whatever is left.

The steps

  1. 01

    Map your layout

    Walk through every room and count your current light bulbs. Group them by socket type and decide which rooms need dimming or color options versus simple on-off control.

  2. 02

    Wait for a sale

    Don't buy bulbs individually at full price. Wait for big shopping events where multi-packs are discounted, which can save you a few hundred dollars on a $700 total.

  3. 03

    Use your financing window

    You can use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, which offers 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This lets you break your $700 total into manageable payments of $38.89 per month.

  4. 04

    Install in batches

    Start with the living room and bedroom before moving to hallways. This lets you test the hub's connectivity and bridge range without having to troubleshoot twenty bulbs at once.

  5. 05

    Set your automations

    Once installed, program your lights to sync with your sleep schedule. This simple change reduces your energy use and makes coming home after dark much more pleasant.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Do I need a hub for every room?

Usually no. Most systems use one central bridge that connects to your router and controls dozens of bulbs throughout the house.

Can I keep my current light switches?

You can, but keep them in the 'on' position. If you turn off the wall switch, the smart bulb loses power and can no longer be controlled by your phone.

Are color bulbs worth the extra money?

They are fun, but usually unnecessary for hallways or laundry rooms. Stick to tunable white bulbs for most rooms and save the color bulbs for accent lighting in living spaces.

What happens if the internet goes down?

Most smart lighting systems will still function via their app as long as your local Wi-Fi network stays up. If the whole network drops, you can still use the manual wall switches.