We live in a world where the grass always seems greener on the other side. Whether you have a job opportunity that seems to be better than your current situation, or the newest phone just came out and you just have to have it, we are hardly ever satisfied with the life we’ve been given and the things we have. As technology advances ever so quickly, this phenomenon only grows. I’m not going to lie, I can understand why people want the next best thing. Some of the things they come out with these days are incredible. Are they needs? No. Are they nice to have if you have the money? Absolutely. One of those things is a Smart Home System.
Have you ever wished you could turn on lights in 4 different rooms from one remote? What about programming each switch to a specific dim setting depending on your mood? Or scheduling your outside lights to turn on at sunset from January to December, then turn off for the month of December so that your Christmas lights can stand out? Let’s be honest. You probably haven’tthought of these things, but they are pretty cool.
At deBoer Electrical Services, we install Lutron Smart Home Systems. These systems do not rely on wi-fi but on what is called Clear Connect Technology, which is a lot more reliable than wi-fi.These systems include Caseta and Radio RA3.
Caseta is the entry–level Lutron Smart Home System. It can support up to 75 wireless devices per smart hub. Within the Caseta system are many types of dimmers, remotes, motion sensors, and wireless shades. These are all programmable via the Lutron App.
Radio RA3 is the mid-level Lutron Smart Home System. It can support up to 400 total wireless devices. This system can incorporate many of the same devices as Caseta, along with a few of its own. It is far more customizable than Caseta and has a much wider range of products available.
| Caseta | RA3 | |
| Devices | Up to 75 | Up to 400 |
| Home Size | Small-Mid | Small-Large |
| Cost | Significantly Cheaper | Expensive |
| Skill Level for Programming | Some training required | Skilled |
| Range of products | Limited | More options available |
| Keypads | No | Yes |
| Customizable | Somewhat | Highly |
| Aesthetics | Focus is on practicality | Focus is on practicality and looks |
What are some things you can do with Caseta?
Create your own scene. Preset scenes in your app that will dim to a certain setting, whether you’re entertaining or just watching a movie.
Create a schedule. Whether you’re away or just want the lights to come on at a certain time every night, you can set a personalized schedule to accommodate your needs.
Motion sensors. Motion detectors have made significant advances in the last 10 years and Caseta’s options are no exception. You can schedule these to work when it’s nighttime and to stop working when the daylight returns. You can also make it so that the sensors stay activated for a few minutes after no motion is detected. These can be used for bath fans or lights.
Voice control. You can integrate the Caseta System with your Google Home, Alexa, or similar device.
Remote control. With the Pico Remote you can add a 3-way switch where there was none or just control your lights from your coffee table. This allows you to control the scene in your room as explained above.
What can I do with Radio RA3
All of the above. You can do everything that’s available with Caseta, with a few additional features. Some of those features include but are not limited to:
Fully Customizable Lighting System. While this requires a specialized computer program to achieve the greatest customization (for some things the homeowner can use the app), it gives you the ability to set up your lights to the exact brightness you want them. Do you want your lights set to 33 % of full brightness for movie night? No problem. Another available option is fading. No one likes turning the lights on to full brightness when they wake up. How about setting your lights in the morning to turn on slowly over 30 minutes? With RA3, this isall possible.
Fully Customizable Keypads and Dimmers. With over 20 colours and finishes available and the ability to label the keypads whatever you want, full customization is at your fingertips.
Fully Customizable Shading System. You can set your shades to open, close, and tilt depending on the outdoor brightness. Essentially, your shades and lights will change depending on the time of day. This allows you to have consistent lighting every day.
At the risk of going on and on, I’m going to stop here. I’ll end with saying that, with RA3, any customization you can think of, when it comes to lighting and shades, can be done.
The choice is yours.
I’m not a salesman. As such, I’m not going to sit here and say, “You need to invest in Caseta or RA3 in order to live a better, more full life!” What I will say is this:
If you want to get the most out of your lighting system without spending a lot, then go with Caseta. If money is no object, then RA3 is the better option as it allows full customization and a much larger device count. The choice is yours.
