I’ve been reading up on the MCV solution and was getting ready to buy, but I came across an Insteon Smart LED bulb and this made me thing if there isn’t something possible a little more simple for my situation.
Eventually I want to get MCV set up and integrated with a security system, but we are probably moving next year and I was hoping for the least-intrusive and least costly approach. We have 4 exterior porch lights that I’d like to have come on at dark and then turn off in the morning. All of them are controlled by a light switch in the house now. I don’t need remote control, but really again, just want the most simple way to get these to turn on and off. I’m wondering if a Verde and 3 light switches may be overkill at this point.
Any other products or technologies that I may want to look into? With the Verde, I guess I’m looking at $180 for the controller and then another $120 ($40 x 3) in switches?
If you want the simplest and you really don’t need any type of remote control or automation, then perhaps you should just use a timer switch like this one or a light sensor like one of these.
You may also want to check out the Leviton VPT24-1PZ programmable indoor timer with astronomical clock. Looks like you can program your Long/Lat and claims to sync with astronomical clock. (potentially NIST radio signal?) . This allows it to trigger based on the variation of sunset/sunrise through the year. About $36 on Amazon.