I see where you're coming from with automation. I've had mine set up similarly with Alexa, and honestly, the sunset dimming thing is surprisingly nice—especially in winter when it gets dark early. But have you run into issues with routines randomly glitching out? Every once in a while, mine just decide to ignore the schedule entirely...still haven't figured out why. Did you have to troubleshoot anything similar, or has Google Home been pretty reliable for you?
I've had similar issues with Alexa routines randomly skipping schedules, especially when my internet connection gets spotty. Have you noticed if it happens more often when your Wi-Fi is acting up? I haven't tried Google Home yet, mostly because I've already invested in Echo devices and bulbs that were budget-friendly at the time. But now I'm curious—does Google Home handle connectivity hiccups better, or is it about the same?
Also, have you experimented with different bulb brands to see if that makes a difference? I've found some cheaper bulbs seem to glitch out more often than others. Wondering if it's just me or if brand really does matter when it comes to reliability...
I've noticed cheaper bulbs definitely glitch more often, especially after power flickers or wifi drops. Switched to Philips Hue bulbs about a year ago—pricier but way less headaches since then. Not sure if Google's better, but bulb brand matters more than I thought...
Totally agree with you on bulb quality making a difference. I've installed Hue bulbs in several custom builds, and clients rarely complain about glitches or connectivity issues. Cheaper bulbs can be tempting, but reliability saves so much frustration down the line. Plus, Hue's color accuracy and brightness consistency are pretty impressive...makes a noticeable difference in ambiance. Glad your upgrade worked out—smart lighting really does elevate the whole living space.
Hue bulbs are definitely solid, but I've had pretty good luck with LIFX too. Installed them in my last reno and found the brightness and color range surprisingly vibrant. Setup was a bit finicky at first... but once connected, they've been rock solid. I agree though, investing in quality bulbs really pays off—lighting sets the whole mood, and glitchy bulbs can totally ruin that vibe. Glad you're loving the upgrade!