Smart Light Switches & Dimmers: A Complete Installation Guide
Smart lighting is the gateway to a connected home. Whether you want to control lights with your voice, automate schedules, or simply dim the living room from the couch, smart lighting delivers real daily convenience.
But before you order a dozen smart switches, there are some important considerations—especially for St. Louis homes built before 2000.
Smart Bulbs vs. Smart Switches: Which Is Better?
Smart Bulbs
How they work: The bulb itself connects to WiFi or a hub. The wall switch must stay on.
Pros: - No installation—just screw in - Color-changing options available - Easy to move between fixtures
Cons: - If someone turns off the wall switch, you lose smart control - More expensive per bulb ($15-50 each) - Each bulb is a separate device on your network - Guest confusion ("Why won't this switch work?")
Best for: Lamps, accent lighting, temporary setups
Smart Switches
How they work: The switch itself is smart. Works with any standard bulb.
Pros: - Wall switch always works normally - Use inexpensive regular bulbs - One device controls entire circuit - More reliable long-term - Higher WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor)
Cons: - Requires installation (usually professional) - May need a neutral wire - 3-way switches require special consideration
Best for: Permanent installation, whole-home automation, overhead lighting
For most homeowners, smart switches are the better long-term investment.
The Neutral Wire Question
This is the #1 issue we encounter with smart switch installations. Here's what you need to know:
What's a Neutral Wire?
Your light switch box typically has: - Hot (black) - Brings power from the panel - Load (black or red) - Sends power to the light fixture - Ground (green or bare copper) - Safety ground - Neutral (white) - Completes the circuit back to the panel
Older homes often don't have a neutral wire in the switch box—it runs directly from the light fixture back to the panel.
Why Smart Switches Need Neutral
Smart switches need a small amount of constant power to stay connected and operate. Without neutral, they can't complete the circuit when the light is off.
Solutions for No Neutral
- Choose no-neutral switches - Lutron Caseta and some other brands work without neutral (but have limitations)
- Run a neutral wire - We can add one, though this involves opening walls
- Use the ground as neutral - NOT recommended and not to code
During any smart switch installation, we verify neutral wire presence before purchasing switches.
3-Way and 4-Way Switches
Have a light controlled from multiple locations (like top and bottom of stairs)? These require special consideration:
Traditional 3-way: Two switches control one light Traditional 4-way: Three or more switches control one light
Smart Options: - Full smart conversion - Replace all switches with smart versions designed to communicate - Single smart + companion - One smart master switch with "dummy" companions - Lutron Caseta system - Uses Pico remotes instead of hardwired companions
We typically recommend the Lutron system for 3-way setups—it's the most reliable and allows flexible remote placement.
Popular Smart Switch Platforms
Lutron Caseta - Most reliable (uses dedicated wireless frequency) - Works without neutral - Excellent dimming quality - Requires Lutron hub - Higher cost, but worth it
TP-Link Kasa / Tapo - Budget-friendly - WiFi-based (no hub needed) - Requires neutral - Good app and voice control
Leviton Decora Smart - Professional-grade quality - WiFi or Z-Wave options - Great dimming performance - Requires neutral
GE/Jasco - Z-Wave (requires hub like SmartThings) - Excellent for whole-home automation - Requires neutral
What Happens During Professional Installation
When First Choice Electric installs smart switches, here's our process:
- Assessment - Verify neutral wire presence, check for 3-way configurations
- Box inspection - Ensure adequate space for smart switch (they're larger than traditional switches)
- Proper wiring - Connect hot, load, neutral, and ground correctly
- Secure mounting - Smart switches must be fully supported
- Testing - Verify physical switch, smart control, and dimming all work properly
- Network setup - Help connect to your WiFi or hub
- Scene configuration - Optional—we can help set up automation
Common Installation Mistakes We Fix
- Incorrect wire identification - Hot vs load confusion causes switches to not work or work backwards
- Missing ground connection - Creates safety hazard
- Overcrowded boxes - Too many wires crammed in can cause overheating
- Dimmer on non-dimmable circuit - Can damage LED drivers or cause flickering
- Wrong switch for 3-way - Regular smart switch won't work in 3-way configuration
Whole Home Planning
Planning to automate your entire home? Consider: - Choosing one ecosystem (mixing platforms creates headaches) - Starting with high-traffic areas (kitchen, living room, entry) - Planning for future expansion - Dedicated smart home hub vs. WiFi-only
We offer whole-home smart lighting consultations to help you plan and budget a phased approach.
Service Areas
We install smart switches throughout the St. Louis metro including Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood, Creve Coeur, Town and Country, Manchester, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, O'Fallon, St. Peters, St. Charles, Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, and Cottleville.
Ready to Get Smart?
Schedule a smart lighting consultation and we'll assess your home, recommend the right products, and provide a quote for professional installation.