Voice commands will turn lights on, off, or to a preset level

Coopersburg, PA (April 7, 2016) – Lighting control pioneer Lutron Electronics is proud to announce the integration of its affordably-priced Caséta Wireless system with Amazon Alexa, providing convenient voice control of home lighting. Caséta Wireless gives homeowners the ability to control lights from anywhere inside or outside the home using the free Lutron app, the Lutron Pico® remote control, and select third-party devices. And now customers with an Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, or Amazon Fire TV can control their Caséta Wireless system using their voice.

The integration of Caséta Wireless with Alexa-enabled devices is an ideal match – Alexa-enabled devices are used in the areas where people spend the majority of their time, like the family room and kitchen. Whether you’re watching TV, helping the kids with homework or crafts, or enjoying a quiet dinner, all of these events are more relaxing and comfortable in the right light, which can be easily controlled by the sound of your voice or the tap of a button.

“Asking Alexa to control your lights is undeniably powerful and can simplify things like coming home with arms full of kids, pets and groceries,” said Matt Swatsky, director of product management at Lutron, who also noted the product’s usefulness to the aging in place community.

“For some people, this technology restores the freedoms once taken for granted – like freely moving about to alter the lights. Smart home products are not just about the wow factor anymore – they’re about changing peoples’ lives.”

“Using your voice to control smart home devices like Lutron’s Caséta Wireless system is both easy and natural with the magic of far-field voice recognition on Echo,” said Charlie Kindel, Director, Amazon Alexa Smart Home. “We’re excited that Lutron customers can now control their lights simply by asking Alexa.”

Introduced in 2014, the reliable, affordable Caséta Wireless has helped homeowners and professionals alike overcome two common smart home lighting hurdles – compatibility with LEDs and installation challenges. Due to its unique dimmer design, a neutral wire is not required for in-wall installation – a challenge faced by people living in homes built before 1965. Not needing a neutral wire saves homeowners the cost and hassle of adding one.

And according to Swatsky, the system’s powerful Pico remote, which can be mounted to a wall without wiring or affixed to a tabletop pedestal, is ideal for times when talking to Alexa just isn’t possible, like when kids are sleeping or you’re in the middle of an important phone call. “Lutron has worked hard to make sure all situations are covered,” he said.

Where to Buy Caséta Wireless

In addition to Caséta Wireless plug-in and wall-mounted dimmers, the Caséta Wireless smart bridge must be connected to the home’s Wi-Fi router to work with Alexa. And like all Lutron products, Caséta Wireless is backed by Lutron’s 24/7 U.S.-based technical support.

Priced from $99, Caséta Wireless kits are available now on Amazon.com, Apple Stores and Apple.com, BestBuy.com and Best Buy stores, Home Depot.com and The Home Depot stores, Lowes.com and Lowe’s Home Improvement centers, Magnolia Design Centers®, select Magnolia Home Theater® stores, Staples.com, and from local electricians, lighting showrooms and electrical distributors.

The free Lutron App for Caséta Wireless is available on iTunes® and Google Play. Visit the Lutron LED Control Center of Excellence for a list of compatible bulbs and www.casetawireless.com for a list of compatible smart home products.

About Lutron Electronics (www.lutron.com)

Founded in 1961, Lutron Electronics is headquartered in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. From dimmers for the home, to lighting management systems for entire buildings, the company offers more than 15,000 energy-saving products, sold in more than 100 countries. In the US alone, Lutron products save an estimated 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion in utility costs per year. The company’s early inventions— including the first solid-state electronic dimmer invented by Lutron’s founder, Joel Spira—are now at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

The post Want the Lights to be Just Right for Dinner Parties, Family Game Night or Watching TV? – Just Ask Alexa appeared first on Good News!.

Coopersburg, PA (embargoed until January 5, 2016) – Creating a smarter and more connected home has never been easier. The affordably-priced Caséta Wireless smart home system from Lutron Electronics provides convenient control of lights, shades and temperature anytime, anywhere. Today, the company announced the ability to control Lutron shades using its HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge providing users with simple, convenient control of some of the most frequently-used products in their homes.

With 20+ years of experience utilizing reliable wireless technology in connected home products, Lutron introduced the Caséta Wireless system in 2014 as an affordable connected home solution ideal for smaller areas.

Now Use Siri to Control Lutron Shades
Earlier this year, Lutron released one of the world’s first Apple HomeKit-enabled products – its Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge, which allows users to control their lights conveniently and securely via Siri using their iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch® or Apple Watch®. Adding Lutron shade support to the HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge provides a more streamlined user experience and a third option for controlling Lutron devices in the home. The other two options – the Lutron App and Pico Wireless remote control – were introduced last year.

The HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge (a do-it-yourself solution) supports Serena battery-powered shades, while the Smart Bridge PRO (a professionally-installed solution) supports Lutron Sivoia® QS Triathlon wireless shades (both roller and fashion honeycomb styles), plus Sivoia QS drapery tracks, the Kirbé® vertical drapery system, tensioned shades, pleated shades and Roman shades.

“Using something familiar, like Siri, to control a home’s lights and shades simplifies the concept of the connected home and makes it easier than ever for people to be in control of their space.” said Matt Swatsky, Lutron’s Director of Product Management. “Simply saying ‘Hey Siri, turn on the lights’ or ‘Siri, open the shades’ results in an experience which feels very natural and is completely integrated with your iOS device. Also, people can set Serena shades to a desired level in scenes like ‘Good Morning’ or ‘Good Night’ with other HomeKit compatible accessories so that you can enable everyday experiences using Siri.”

Caséta Wireless kits and Lutron shading solutions are available now with suggested list prices starting at $80 and $349, respectively. Visit CasetaWireless.com or SerenaShades.com for more information, and to find local resellers. The free Lutron App is available in the App Store.

About Lutron Electronics (www.lutron.com)
Founded in 1961, Lutron Electronics is headquartered in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. From dimmers for
the home, to lighting management systems for entire buildings, the company offers more than 15,000 energy-saving products, sold in more than 100 countries. In the US alone, Lutron products save an estimated 10 billion kWh of electricity, or approximately $1 billion in utility costs per year. The company’s early inventions— including the first solid-state electronic dimmer invented by Lutron’s founder, Joel Spira—are now at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

• Apple, Apple Watch®, HomeKit®, iTunes® and Siri® are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries

Corporate Contact Agency Contact
Melissa Andresko Rachel Grady
Communications Director-Public Relations Account Supervisor
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. MBooth
mandresko@lutron.com lutron@mbooth.com

The post Lutron Serena™ and Sivoia® QS Triathlon® Shades Now Compatible with its Apple HomeKit™-enabled Caséta® Wireless Smart Bridge appeared first on Good News!.