Adding a Light Switch Without Wiring
This applies to ANY space where a 3 way switch is required and electrical wiring does not exist for the 2nd switch. For instance, a new addition whereby from entering from the new addition into the existing home, it is unlikely to have electrical cabling to control lights where you need it. There is a great solution by Lutron. For just over $100, you can add this capability.
By NICK U.
The solution deals with replacing an existing switch with a smart switch. It does not need to be connected as a smart switch if you do not desire.
First, verify the switch you currently have is a 2 way switch. There are 2 ways to do this.
If there are no other switches in the house that control the target lights, it likely is a 2 way switch.
If you want to be doubly sure before your order you can check the electrical switch itself.
“I added an addition but the entry from my new space did not have a switch inside the door. Could not be happier with the Lutron smart switch option. Easy to setup and far less expensive than an electrician and tearing up existing drywall.”
-Homeowner
Verify you Have a 2 Way Switch
1. Turn off the breaker that controls this light or set of lights. You may want to cut off the breaker before doing this. Safety first! To do this safely. Turn the light on. Start shutting off breakers until the light goes out. Hopefully your breakers are labeled to easily be able to identify the correct circuit.
2. Take off the electrical plate.
3. Verify if the switch in place and how many wires connects to the existing switch. You may need to unscrew the switch from the junction box to do this. You are looking for a switch with 3 wires. Two black ones and a copper or green one (this is known as the ground wire).
4. If this is your switch, then order using the links below.
Purchasing the Switch
You have 2 options for purchasing the switch:
Smart Switch Compatible. This package includes a Lutron hub. This enables it to be “smart” which means voice controlled by connecting to either Amazon’s Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, Sonos, or Google Assistant. This option requires an existing internet connection and a smart device. You don’t need them now, if you plan to add them later.
Just the switch. If you just want the light switch without the smart hub, click the link below. This option provides the remote you will need and saves about $20.
Just the switch and the “remote”. If you just want the light switch without the smart hub, click the link below. This option provides the remote you will need and saves about $20.
Wall plate for the remote. With either one, you will want to also get an extra wall plate for the “remote control” which gives you the switch where you need it. You will want it to match the main switch. You would think it would come with the main kit, but unfortunately it does not. Luckily, it is under $5 dollars.
Connecting the switch.
1. Turn off the breaker
2. Ensure that the lights do not work which means the correct breaker is off. This does not mean that other switches that may be in the junction box are not live from another circuit.
3. Unscrew the screws from the light switch.
4. Disconnect the cables from the existing switch. Again, there should be 2 black cables and either a copper or a green wire.
5. Connect each one of the black cables to a black cable on the Lutron switch using the provided wire nut. Repeat for the other black cable.
6. Connect the ground wire to the green wire.
7. Mount the switch in the junction box using the supplied screws. A cordless drill or screwdriver aids this process.
8. Add the wall plate.
9. Turn on the breaker.
10. Test your switch and the dimming function. Note, dimming will not work with florescent lights or fluorescent light bulbs. These need a constant level of power to operate. LED lights works best and save money on electricity.
Sync the remote to the switch.
1. Hold the bottom button (off) on the new switch you just installed for 8 seconds.
2. Hold the bottom button down at the same time on the remote for 8 seconds.
3. Lights on the switch (the one on the wall) will blink.
4. Check the off/on component by using the remote to make sure it turns on and off the switch.
Mount the Remote on the Wall
To mount the remote on the wall using the supplied wall plate with the kit do the following:
1. Measure the distance to the floor of the existing plug.
2. Choose a place on the wall for the remote near the entry door. Make sure this is not located opposite of the hinge side of the door.
3. Measure the appropriate height from the floor.
4. Mark the screw holes with a pencil.
5. Drill the holes with a 3/16” drill bit.
6. Carefully add in the wall anchors.
7. Mount with the supplied screws and test.
8. Add the Lutron Clara wall plate.
Connecting to Your Smart Device (optional)
1. Download and install the Lutron Caseta app to your smartphone.
2. Plug the Lutron smart hub directly into your router.
3. Add power to the Lutron Smart hub. It will glow while it finds the internet and updates itself.
4. Open the application near the hub.
5. Tell the application that you already installed the switch.
6. Create an account. (Make sure to write down the account information and password. Try and use different passwords for the accounts for security purposes.)
7. Choose that you added a smart switch.
8. Follow the on screen instructions related to naming your home and selecting which room the smart switch is located and the name of the lights. For instance, bedroom (location) Main lights. Remember or write down this name, you will need it later. If you forget, you can go to the Lutron app and see the name.
9. Open our Alexa app
10. Go to Devices
11. Add a new device
12. It will ask for the manufacturer. Select Lutron.
13. It will ask you permission to add the “Lutron Skill”. Say yes.
14. It will ask you to login to Lutron. Do so.
15. It will add the device.
16. Test it by asking Alexa to turn on “location” and “light name”. This is the same name that you used in step 8. Example: Alexa, turn on “bedroom main lights”.
Make your Home REALLY Smart
There are a number of features using the Lutron app to make your home know you are home and automatically turn on the lights OR you can set a predefined mode for dimming for just the right ambiance.
Dimming
Add a “scene” in the Lutron app for setting mood lighting.
1. Open the Lutron App
2. Go to “Scenes”
3. Add a scene
4. Add a name. It is a good idea to add the room name and a number for the dimming. Or call it “romance lighting” or “mood lighting”, if you are so inclined.
5. Select an icon
6. Move the slider to the appropriate mood lighting.
7. Save.
8. Test with Alexa. “Alexa, turn on mood lighting”
9. Note: To turn off the lighting, you cannot use a scene and must use the name of the lights or create a scene where the mood lighting is “0” or off.
Activate Lighting Upon Coming Home at Night
This is a great feature also known as “geofencing”. It uses your cell phone’s location to determine that you are home and automatically turns on your lights.
1. Open the Lutron app on our smart phone
2. Click on the gear in the upper left corner.
3. Choose “Arriving/Leaving home”
4. Choose “What decides if you are home?”
5. Choose “My phone’s location”
6. Set the address or choose “Current location”.
7. Select the arrow to the far right on “Arriving home”
8. Select the lights you’d like to turn on.
Smart Away
Have certain lights will randomly come on while you are away to appear as though you are home. As it is random, this is better as there criminals monitoring your home will see this is not on a set schedule and think you are home.
1. Open the Lutron App
2. Go to the Gear in the upper left corner
3. Choose “Arriving/Leaving home”
4. Choose “Smart Away”
5. Select the lights to randomly turn on and off.
6. Set the start and end times for the lights.
7. At the bottom of the screen select activate automatically.
8. There are also smart home protection features available in your Alexa app. Setup the flowing for added protection:
a. Alexa Guard
b. Drop in to listen to your home using the Amazon Echo.
Item to note: Once the hub is installed other Lutron light switches can be added without adding another hub. The hub controls multiple devices. There is a maximum limit of 76 devices per Lutron hub which is not likely to be reached unless the home is rather large.
You can then add the light to a number of routines to say turn on all lights or those lights you’d like.
Get creative. Enjoy.
