Honestly, you nailed it with the “don’t retrain everyone” bit. I tried smart bulbs in our living room and it was a circus—someone would flip the switch off, then the automations wouldn’t work, and I’d get the blame for “breaking the lights.” Swapping out the switches was way smoother. Plus, I could keep my old-school glass fixtures that actually match the house. The only downside I’ve run into is some smart switches need a neutral wire, which my 1950s place didn’t have everywhere... but overall, way less hassle than dealing with a dozen pricey bulbs.
The only downside I’ve run into is some smart switches need a neutral wire, which my 1950s place didn’t have everywhere...
Yeah, that neutral wire thing tripped me up too. My house is from the 40s and I had to get creative—ended up using a few Lutron Caseta switches since they don’t need a neutral. Curious if you’ve tried any of the battery-powered remotes or “stick-on” switches? They’re not perfect, but they saved me from tearing up walls.
Honestly, you’re not alone—neutral wires are a pain in these older places. I ran into the same issue and almost gave up on smart switches until I found Caseta too. The stick-on remotes are decent for quick fixes, but I get annoyed when the batteries die at the worst times. Still beats ripping up plaster walls, though. If you’re dealing with weird wiring, sometimes you’ve just gotta compromise a bit.
Honestly, Caseta’s a lifesaver for old homes—totally agree there. I’ve seen clients get frustrated with the battery thing too, but honestly, I’ll take swapping a battery over patching lath and plaster any day. That said, sometimes I wonder if we’re just putting band-aids on outdated wiring. If you’re ever renovating anyway, running new wire and getting neutrals in place really opens up your options down the road. But yeah, for quick fixes, those remotes are hard to beat. Just wish the form factors were a bit less clunky…
sometimes I wonder if we’re just putting band-aids on outdated wiring
That’s the eternal debate, right? Quick fixes vs. future-proofing. I’ve had clients swear by Caseta for “just making it work,” but when you’re already opening up walls, adding neutrals is like giving your house a tech upgrade. Still, those remotes… they’re chunky, but they do save a lot of headaches.
