Smart Lighting Supports You from Sunup to Sundown

We’re lucky to have great weather for most of the year in California, but with the winter months here, many of us are spending more time indoors than we are accustomed to. The decreased time spent in natural lighting may start to drag a bit on our moods. To combat the winter doldrums, consider tunable LED lighting. Tunable LED lighting puts you in control of simulated natural lighting. From sunrise to sundown, your natural circadian rhythm is supported with variable color temperature lighting. Keep reading below to learn more about this innovative lighting solution, and we’ll walk you through what a typical day in your Huntington Beach, CA, home would look like.

SEE ALSO: 3 of the Top Benefits to Tunable LED Lighting

Good Morning

Clocks fell back last month, and with the time change, early mornings are darker than they’ve been all year. That means it may be a bit more difficult to wake up feeling rejuvenated without any natural sunlight streaming through your windows. This is where tunable LED lighting shines, literally and figuratively. You can program your smart lighting to sync with a timer, turning on every day at the same time in sync with your alarm clock. Bluish white light with a color temperature around 7000K imitates daylight, so your lighting can support you more naturally as you get started on your day.  

Good Afternoon

Many of us tend to hit a productivity slump midday and find it difficult to concentrate on the tasks we need to complete. A bright, cool white light will keep you awake and alert so that you can focus more easily. This bluer tinged white light has a color temperature between 4000K-6000K. Throughout your day, tunable lighting will transition through the color temperature spectrum to support your needs. In the morning and early afternoon, lighting supports your productivity and alertness. As the afternoon turns to evening, lighting helps you and your entire family wind down.  

Good Evening

Studies have shown that different durations, intensities, and wavelengths of light affect the human body. The circadian rhythm, or natural biological clock, can be interrupted by bright, artificial lighting and potentially cause health issues. This disruption can also affect our sleeping patterns, causing insomnia and restless sleep. A warmer, white light will support your circadian rhythm, signaling to your brain that it’s time for tranquility and relaxation. This warm white light has an orange or yellow hue and a color temperature in the range of 2000K-3000K. You can program your lighting to transition automatically, or you can press a button on your wall keypad or smart device to change the lighting at your discretion. Once you’re ready for bed, simply press another button on your smart device or use a voice command to turn off all of your lighting. The tunable LED lighting cycle can start again in the morning, supporting you and your family throughout another day.   Your Huntington Beach, CA home deserves to be highlighted in beautiful LED lighting, and you deserve the wellness support that this innovative lighting offers. To setup a consultation, fill out our online form or call us today. We look forward to working with you!

3 Reasons Why Lutron Should Be Your Top Pick for Lighting Control

We often talk about the luxury and convenience that a lighting control system can bring to our California clients’ homes. Smart bulbs and motorized window treatments can work in tandem to create the perfect ambiance in your Huntington Beach home with just a few taps of your finger or with a voice command. Behind the scenes, the system that makes it all possible is just as important as the dimming capabilities, fabrics, and styles you select for your system. Lutron RadioRA 2 technology is the brains behind the functionality that you enjoy using daily in your home. Read on below to learn three reasons why the RadioRA 2 system should be your top pick for lighting control.

SEE ALSO: Motorized Window Treatments Bring Style & Convenience  

Easy to Control

There’s no need to walk throughout your home to flip on light switches or raise and lower shading in order to get the perfect atmosphere. With Lutron RadioRA 2, you have a variety of control options at your fingertips. Pico wireless remotes on desktop pedestals control lights, blinds, and audio from anywhere in your home with just a tap. You can also replace your boring outlet wall plates with smart switches in finishes and colors that complement your interior décor. The RadioRA 2 main repeater makes it possible to use the Lutron App to control your smart devices, but it enables systems integration with other brands as well. Managing your smart technology in Orange County has never been simpler.  

Personalized Scenes

Your custom-etched Pico keypads are customizable to match your needs, too. Besides on/off or open/closed settings, window shades can be partially drawn, and lights may be dimmed on demand or according to pre-programmed scenes. Once initiated, the ‘Dinner’ scene will begin a sequence of smart device responses: lights dimmed to the perfect setting, motorized shades lowered to provide privacy, and your audio system tuned to your favorite streaming station for the perfect evening dinner with your partner.  

A Scalable Smart Home Solution

With the Lutron Connect Bridge, you can link pair RadioRA 2 with your favorite apps using the cloud! You can then pair your keypads and remotes to work in partnership with your wireless thermostats, voice control, audio control and home automation. A truly smart home is achievable thanks to Lutron!   If you’re ready to explore the possibilities of automation made possible with Lutron RadioRA 2, contact us here today or chat with us at the bottom of your browser. We can’t wait to hear from you!  

Professional Installation Will Save You in the Long Run

Motorized shades are the first step to bringing luxurious comfort and convenience into your day-to-day life, so you’ve decided to install them in your Irvine, CA home. Now you’re debating whether you can do the installation on your own to save money or if you should hire a professional. Unless you have experience installing motorized roller shades, we recommend bringing in the experts. Without prior knowledge or experience, how can you know that you’re choosing the right shades for your home or know what mistakes to avoid during the installation? Keep on reading to learn the advantages of working with a professional that you would miss out on if you were to install automated shades yourself.

SEE ALSO: Selecting the Perfect Window Treatment for Your California Home

Save Time and Money

There are many advantages to working with a professional for your motorized roller shades installation. The most popular reason homeowners choose a DIY installation is because they think it will save them time and money. At Launch Systems, our trained technicians know exactly what they’re doing and will take measurements correctly the first time around. There won’t be any extra holes in your walls or windows due to a DIY snafu because our experts use the right tools for the job. Remember, we do this every single day—it’s our job to know the ins and outs of the installation process.  

Guaranteed Quality Products

You might save on the initial costs of hiring a professional when you turn your motorized roller shades installation into a DIY, but you aren’t guaranteed the high-quality installation or products that you would receive from an expert. When working with a professional installer, you can count on a seamless experience from the initial consultation to post-installation support. We stand behind our work because our reputation is on the line, and we want you to have the smart home of your dreams. Besides superior products and a seamless window treatment installation experience, the best part about working with a professional is the warranty that covers any technical mishaps that might occur—though, you’re much less likely to experience them when you choose to work with a professional!  

How Launch Systems Can Help

Are you ready to bring the value of motorized roller shades to your home without the messy DIY experience? Launch Systems is the partner to choose for your installation, whether you’re in Irvine, CA or another location in Orange County. Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to get started. We look forward to working with you!

Here’s How Smart Surveillance Can Help Your Orange County Home

There are many reasons homeowners decide to invest in security cameras. Some folks can’t bear to leave their dogs home alone during the day. Others travel often and want to keep an eye on their property. If you’re deciding on a home surveillance system, there are many benefits and technology features to consider. We’re a security camera installation company based in Newport Beach, CA, and have installed systems across Orange County for the past decade. Read on to discover the many ways smart security will grant you peace of mind.

SEE ALSO: 3 Ways to Use Your Security System That You Hadn’t Thought of Yet  

How You’ll Use Security Cameras

You may be surprised by the numerous ways to use your surveillance cameras, including:

• Video Baby Monitor: Check on your child’s safety anytime from your phone or tablet, whether you’re in the backyard or on a date night, making sure everything goes smoothly with the sitter.
• Pet Cam: Going on a weekend trip and leaving the cat at home? Worried about the dogs while you’re at work? Two-way audio and video let you take a peek at your pets and communicate back to them.
• Wildlife Watch: If your cameras catch motion in the front or backyard, use your system to stay alert on any animals on the property.
• Smart Home Trigger: Sync your surveillance cameras smart lighting to activate lights on the front steps when cameras detect activity.
• Virtual Doorbell: Use your security cameras as a doorbell intercom to let mail carriers know they can drop packages off. Remotely unlock the door for the pet sitter or ask a stranger how you can help them.
• Keep an Eye on the Kids: Give your tweens and teenagers more freedom knowing security cameras have your back. Whether they walk home from school alone or spend afternoons with friends over, you know they’re safe.
• See Who’s Coming and Going: If many people pass through your home, including landscapers, babysitters, or house cleaners, you’ll know who’s entering and exiting.
• Deter Criminals: Of course, one of the most common reasons we install cameras is to prevent break-ins. Burglars are less likely to target homes with visible security cameras and will likely choose a more vulnerable house in the neighborhood.
• Recover Crime Footage: If something happens on your property, HD cameras will provide clear footage of the criminal’s face or license plate.

Camera Features to Look Out For

As you’re getting started, consider these points for the optimal camera system: