Lights on at Sunset

Australia sees fluctuations in sunrise and sunset times between summer and winter. In Brisbane for example the sun goes down at 5.00pm in Winter and 6.50pm in Sumer. That’s almost a 2 hour variation. 

Setting schedules so your lights come on and off is easy but a basic schedule doesn’t factor in the variation in shifting sunset times. If for example you set a schedule so your lights come on at 5.00pm in winter and do bother further your lights will be turned on 2 hours earlier than need for summer.  

Considering home automation is supposed to make things more convenient and save us energy a simple schedule is not necessarily delivering either. You don’t want to be adjusting the schedule every few weeks, you just want a simple set and forget. 

There are a couple of easy ways to achieve an automated schedule that will turn your lights on automatically at sunset based on your location. One option is to do it via the TuyaSmart or Smartlife app, another way is vis IFTTT. 

In app is the simplest. 

Open the app and select “Smart” (at the bottom of screen) and ensure you’ve selected the “Automation” tab (at the top of screen). Next tap the + to add a scene. 

Edit the name and give it a title that’s meaningful to you.  

Next add a condition, and select “Sunrise and Sunset” then check Sunset. If your GPS is enabled and you perform this configuration at home your location will automatically set the current city. 

Next add an action and choose the device / light from Control smart devices and set the action to ON. Hit save and you’re done. Your lights will now turn on every afternoon at sunset.

You can achieve the same result with IFTTT using a Smart Life and Weather Underground applet.