How We’re Living Green in Newport Beach with Smart Lighting

Many folks in Orange County are passionate about helping the environment. Maybe you also recycle diligently and bring reusable bags to the store. But what if a local technology installer could make your house more sustainable, saving substantial amounts of electricity each year? Smart lighting systems by Lutron incorporate automated dimming, motion sensors, timers, and motorized shades to reduce the amount of electricity you rely on. Not only will you help the environment, but you’ll save significantly on energy bills each year, too. How does it work? Read on to see why households in Newport Beach, CA, have already adopted Lutron lighting systems into their eco-friendly lifestyles.

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Save 20% Energy with Dimming

When you integrate smart LED bulbs into one Lutron system, you can fine-tune the brightness level right from the Lutron app or wall switches. Set all your lights to be slightly dimmer than the highest setting—and you’ll find that will be more comfortable and livable, too. LED light bulbs are roughly 80% more efficient than incandescent and fluorescent lights, consuming less energy, especially while dimmed. “Dimming your lights even 20% saves nearly 20% in energy,” says Dr. Ian Rowbottom, Lutron’s principal application engineer. “Dimming them more saves even more.” One of Lutron’s biggest clients, The New York Times, implemented light level ‘tuning’ and occupancy sensors in their downtown Manhattan building. The result? The New York Times Building saved 70% of its lighting electricity, saving $600,000 annually. That’s the equivalent of 3,300 tons of carbon emissions each year!  

Daylight Harvesting

You can always enjoy ample light in each room of your house with smart ‘daylight harvesting’ scenes. If the sun is beaming into your home office, for example, sensors will signal to your lights to turn off or dim. As the sun moves and the room grows darker, only then will lights gradually start to brighten again. Lights will only be on while you need them, and your shades will play with lights to ensure you’re making the most of the day.  

Occupancy Sensors

We all make the mistake of leaving lights on in empty rooms. If you walk to the kitchen for a mug of coffee, occupancy sensors can instantly brighten the room to a comfortable atmosphere. You’ll leave the room, and a few minutes later, lights will turn off. If everyone steps outside for a night at the beach, your empty house’s lights will turn off. But once someone walks inside, your LEDs will automatically turn on, so you won’t have to endure a pitch-black house. Coupled with lighting control on your phone, you’ll always be a step ahead.  

Launch Systems Is Your Local Security Camera Installation Company

Being able to monitor your Huntington Beach, CA, property, whether you’re at home or far away, brings a renewed peace of mind. As your local security camera installation company, Launch Systems provides that peace of mind with state-of-the-art security components that keep you and your family safe. We know every homeowner has different desires when it comes to keeping an eye on things. From alarm systems to video doorbells to motion sensors and more, we assess your needs before ever offering a one-size-fits-all solution. Keep reading below to learn a few exciting ways you can use a security system that you probably hadn’t thought of yet.

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Knock-Knock. Who’s There?

Did someone ring the doorbell? Instead of fumbling for the remote to pause your favorite show, you can create a smart home scene that lets you see, hear, and speak to whomever is at the door in a snap. We can program your front porch security camera to rotate toward the front door, pause your TV show, and brighten the outdoor patio light to illuminate whoever rang your doorbell. You can even have your video doorbell footage pop up on your TV screen for easy viewing. There’s no need to interrupt your evening for a solicitor knocking at your door.  

Devices Work in Sync

If your alarm system activates due to a breach, you can create a security scene that turns your entire home’s lighting to 100% brightness. A dark home immediately transforms into an illuminated home, and the ringing alarm will frighten burglars and deter them from staying in your home for very long. You can even incorporate your whole-home audio system to begin playing loud music and set your motorized shades to rise automatically. While your home is well lit and blaring, your neighbors will come out of their homes to see potential thieves running away from your home. The more witnesses, the better!  

Go on Vacation

Going on vacation may not seem like an innovative way to use your alarm system or security cameras, but it can be. While you’re away from your home, you can always view security footage from the convenience of your smart device and utilize remote monitoring services to keep an eye on your California home for you. But you can also incorporate smart locks and security cameras to your advantage. You can lounge by the beach, pull out your smartphone, and grant access to your house sitter, dog walker, or delivery people by issuing a temporary user code that is active only for a specified amount of time. You can program access to your dog sitter for limited times of day or days of the week, and you can grant immediate access to a delivery driver dropping off an important package.   All of the above and more are possible when you contact Launch Systems, your local security camera installation company. Connect with us now to get started on a new or upgraded security system.

Is Tunable LED Lighting Worth It? We Dive Into the Answer Below.

At Launch Systems, we’ve always strived to offer our clients state-of-the-art smart technologies that serve them well at installation but will also serve their needs for years to come. That’s why we work with cutting-edge brand partners that build components that will withstand the test of time – with functionality, design, and style. We’ve written before about the exciting benefits of tunable LED lighting from Lutron. Not only can you reduce your energy costs with these innovative bulbs, but you can also support your natural circadian rhythms. Read on below to learn more about how incorporating this new technology into your Irvine, CA, home can elevate your lifestyle with new consideration for comfort and convenience.

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Protect Your Home

Tunable LED lighting allows you to showcase your smart home in its best light. You likely spent arduous hours working with an interior designer to make your Irvine-area home look perfect, so why would you want to layer your stunning furniture, fabrics, and art collections in drab lighting? Traditional fluorescent lighting and ample sunlight will fade and distort rich and bold color selections. With LED lighting, you can select the perfect warm or cool white light to amplify your art, design, and home architecture without giving off too much UV radiation or heat.

Shown in Your Best Light

With more of us making the transition to working from home or going out less often, it’s important to utilize our smart homes to support our wellness. Lighting is essential. All day, every day, your lighting can respond to a variety of cues to help support your family in feeling their best. You can adjust lights with a tap of your finger or voice command, program your lighting to respond to the time of day, or hack your lighting to support your circadian rhythms.

Wind Down on Your Terms

Imagine utilizing your tunable lighting to help you wind down in the evenings. You can leave the stresses of a busy workday behind you with natural, dim light as you read your favorite book before bed. This warm, soft glow not only supports your body’s internal biological clock but also eases eye strain after a long day. You can also use a cool, bright light to shift yourself into a highly productive mode during the midday slump without the aid of caffeine.   If you’re ready to explore the exciting features tunable LED lighting can bring to your California home, contact us today to get started. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Launch Systems Offers Network Wiring Services That Support Your Entire Home

A reliable and secure home network makes your Newport Beach, CA home run smoothly. There’s no lag, no buffering symbols, no dreaded dead spots where your Wi-Fi doesn’t connect – it just works. Unfortunately, homeowners usually only think about their networks when it isn’t working properly. To avoid the headache of a poorly designed home network, working with a network wiring services expert is crucial. Partnering with a professional like Launch Systems when you move into your home ensures all of your smart devices work seamlessly and without any hiccups from the moment you step into your home. In this blog, we’ll explain how a properly wired network can support your California home's entertainment systems. Keep reading to learn more.

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Home Theater and Media Rooms

Gone are the days of only watching your favorite TV shows and films on cable, DVDs or Blu-rays. While those are still viable options, and many homeowners use these daily, it’s no longer the only option for tech-savvy entertainment fiends. Many smart TVs have an inherent streaming capability, but most TV shows and movies are streamed through a TV or projector using an additional device like Apple TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV. Many satellite and cable providers have also introduced smart apps that let you screencast exclusive content straight to your TV. There’s nothing like reaching the climax of a storyline, only for the stream to skip ahead or freeze suddenly – this always leads to a loud exclamation or groan from every viewer in the room! A wired home network connection allows you to stream directly to your connected smart TV and a Wi-Fi connection would allow you to screencast directly from your tablet or smartphone. Whichever way you end up streaming your entertainment for the next movie night, a professional network wiring service makes it happen.

Your Backyard

Your entertainment – and network – don’t need to end at your back door. With the addition of expertly placed wireless access points, your entire backyard becomes a haven for smart technologies. You can stream your favorite music stations on your outdoor speaker system using your smartphone, sit next to the firepit scrolling through your favorite social media channels, or watch your favorite shows and sports on your weatherproof outdoor TV. With wired and wireless access points placed in key locations, no one will deal with lag or get kicked off your home network.   Contact Launch Systems today to get started on a new or upgraded network for your Newport Beach-area home. We can’t wait to help you stay connected – indoors and out!