For other home-automation gadgets, be sure to check out ourbest smart home devicespage. 0000041042 00000 n
endstream
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Please click on the downloads tab on this page where you can download and review the installation guide for the type of shade you are purchasing. 2022 CNET, a Red Ventures company.
Serena insulating honeycomb shades have air pockets built into their fabric that provide insulation. When inviting other users you need to enter their iCloud Apple ID. Once the shades arrived, I found it pretty easy to install them.
More Information. The Lutron app will control existing Serena shades. 1.888.445.8063Business hours: M-F 8a-8p EST & Sat 9a-6p EST; our office is closed Sundays. endstream endobj 80 0 obj <>stream Once the invitation is accepted, they will also be able to control the lights in the home using Siri. This doesn't affect our editorial independence. I9Gwo>Ez|Ko_[0s suj+wlk5\CmJ0'7W/_n?x70Kk/~_>__:[6Y~I!/fK!2f~KcD"v90,(N>qLPuRhL The great part about NLO is that you dont have to create their own schedules or scenes for this to work. Serena honeycomb shades have a fantastic R value as high as 4.3. 5\ZGhS[$19u(sp8@LELSOkhSaS,k=eAMHTbu\I^UN_0JB3UBD[BT4X$" b 1.888.445.8063 during business hours1.800.523.9466 outside of business hours. 0000101649 00000 n Follow the steps here to make sure you have a supported Apple TV: Remote access through Apple TV may require you to log out of iCloud and log back in on your Apple TV. Yes. More than many other smart-home devices, smart shades feel like a "nice to have" product rather than a must-have. Plus, despite the name, Lutron's "Scenes" don't equal HomeKit's "Scenes." If you are interested in a hard wired solution for tensioned roller shades that can open from the bottom up or be used for a skylight application, please visit www.Lutron.com/wheretobuy/ to find a Lutron Full Line Shading dealer in your area. I chose the latter, mainly for aesthetic reasons: I didn't want a cord dangling from the top of my window. Ikea is bringing some smart shades to the U.S. in April, so it may be worth the wait to see how much theyll cost, and how well they work. Made to order; price determined by size, accessories, and installation choices.
A wireless repeater may be purchased to extend the range by 60 if needed. An Account is Required to Place Orders. If you are interested in this option, please call the Serena Team at. Serena Automated Shades can be controlled with an RF (radio frequency) remote and using smart devices when you purchase the Smart Bridge and download the Lutron App. Trust me, youll eventually want to expand beyond that universe. It utilizes the phones internal compass to provide a suggested direction, but the user can also manually override this direction when selecting a faade for their blind. The Lutron App for Caseta Wireless is available for Android. It will only appear if you open the app. 0000001977 00000 n
Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).
And Lutrons own bridge and the purpose-built app that goes with it make it much easier to use whether this will be the only smart device in your home or you have a complete smart home system from some other manufacturer. I also opted to get a pico remote ($25), which let me raise and lower the shades without needing to open the app on my phone.
The Bistre and SheerLite families in our roller shade offering are fire rated. Those features are apparent in both the shades industrial design and its ease of use. If you don't have any other Lutron products (such as its Caseta smart plugs), you'll also need a Lutron Caseta bridge ($80) to connect the shades to your Wi-Fi network. %%EOF Simply install your shades and smart dimmers in the room. They're well-thought-out shades, but their price will keep them out of reach for most. So your mobile app communicates with the plugged-in Caseta Bridge, which in turn communicates with the Serena Shades using a low-energy communication protocol. We have tested many commonly-used bulbs with these dimmers, and have put together a compatible bulb list. Id much rather use the Vivint app to create rules to control when my lights turn off, my shades close, and my thermostat adjusts the heat. Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher.
Once installed, the shades responded nearly instantly to both the app and the remote. There was a problem. When used with Casta Wireless, Siri can control Lutron wireless shades in iOS 9 and later. While this list isn't the most impressive lineup of smart home devices, Serena works with more products than any other smart shades I've seen. The design uses ultra-low standby power that is like the electricity drawn from electronics even when they are turned off. When your shade's batteries are getting low, they will begin moving at half speed. 67 59
There is no limit to how many shades a remote can control in a single room. If additional wireless range is needed, you can use a plug-in lamp dimmer to extend the range by an additional 30 (this only applies to the FIRST plug-in lamp dimmer added in the Lutron app).
S-b$SAB z31-/2"M0!='Y]?TRq:G HAK(hQ!qy?8.a { #8_!&#GWbLjJHuh ;ztNiy )bN3$ :2G\ca) ANyL=(spbh_ \]pJjVLfQBN" 8V+C \k%[#;=5{jX-~o[-N&'~Gw;5pV0+ Compare that to a 9.6dB increase for the Graber shade. Both mounting options give you the opportunity to remove the Pico remote from the wall and carry it with you.
Providing insulation. This piece enhances the look of the shade from the outside of the home by covering the brackets. 0000005290 00000 n
0000072180 00000 n
0000047065 00000 n
Copyright 2022 IDG Communications, Inc. Can be integrated into some smart home systems, but it doesnt depend on one, Custom made for your windows, so youll get a perfect fit, Battery compartment integrated into the headrail, An optional cover hides the mounting brackets and reduces light leakage over the headrail, Operates using a proprietary wireless protocol, More expensive than some competitors when you factor everything in. Then, blinds will run on a unique daily schedule. 
This partnership works well. Serena shade, Casta dimmer, Pico remote, etc.) Depending upon the style and installation of the shade, gaps (light that can enter a room through the space between the edge of the shade and the window frame) may allow some light in around the edges of the window. They work well and look great, but Lutron's Serena smart shades are really expensive. 0000101264 00000 n
0000021862 00000 n
You can use a 4-group RF remote control to operate individual shades or a group of shades with the touch of a button. Please call the Serena Shade Specialists at 1.855.573.7362 during business hours: M-F 8a-8p EST & Sat-Sun 9a-6p EST. That means you can't activate scenes from the Lutron app using Siri. Automated shades can be a cool feature for any living space, but when you start looking at the market, you might be surprised how expensive outfitting a whole home can be. Here's how each feature stacked up. Lutrons five-button Pico remote for controlling its Serena shades is excellent, but it will add $25 to your bill for each shade you order.
The 34 x 58-inch Serena shade reviewed here is priced at $474, plus $25 for the Pico remote and $80 for the bridge for a total cost of $579. Unlike traditional shades, Lutron's Serena smart shades don't have exterior cords to raise and lower them. 0000072219 00000 n A difference of 1.3dB isnt likely to impact your satisfaction level with either product, especially once youve grown accustomed to the sound of the shades opening and closing, but its a difference worth reporting. He built his own smart home in 2007 and used it as a real-world test lab for product reviews. Modern green devices draw up to 1 watt of power when in standby. Upon ordering your Serena shade, you must specify your power source either battery or wired. A typical double-pane window has an R value of 2.0, so adding a Serena shade can significantly increase the insulation of a window. You can program each button on this remote to a single shade or to a select group of shades that you want to control at the same time. The Caseta Bridge connects directly to your router. 0000004014 00000 n Serena shades are controlled by Lutrons proprietary Clear Connect radio technology, so part of the added cost is the requirement to buy a Lutron Smart Bridge, which costs about $80. 0000011003 00000 n 0000014700 00000 n Lutron has been very good about integrating its smart-home products with other services; not only do the Serena shades work with Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings and Apple's HomeKit, but you can also pair Lutron's products with thermostats from Honeywell, Nest, Carrier, and Ecobee, as well as Sonos systems. When roller shades are up all the way, 4.5 inches (114 mm) of fascia/headrail will cover the window. They're expensive and require a $150 Smart Bridge to integrate with HomeKit, plus some of the features like Geofencing and Siri integration come with the expected spotty performance. First off, you don't need anything extra to install the shades -- they work exactly like dumb shades. xref If two smart devices are tied to the same Smart Bridge, the last button pressed will control the shades and lights in the space. We offer an outside mounted cable guided solution for our insulating honeycomb shades that secures the shade in place when a door opens or closes. Serena shades use our Clear Connect RF technology, which operates in the 434 MHz band - far away from the 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies that are often used by cordless phones, security systems, baby monitors, and microwaves. That said, smart shades and blinds have a lot of potential. It's important to understand the needs of the application prior to placing your Serena shade order. The Pico Remotes size makes it easy to misplace, but you can mount a plastic block to the wall and slide the remote onto it, so the shades can be controlled from the wall just like a light switch. Lutron also offers an optional back cover that not only reduces the amount of light leaking around the top of the shade when mounted inside the window frame, it also hides the mounting brackets when the shade is viewed from outside the window. 0000025611 00000 n But the attraction of the apps programmability depends on your sticking with Lutrons lighting, window covering, and ceiling fan controls, plus the limited number of third-party products that Lutron has decided to support. 0000047364 00000 n 0000012482 00000 n In other words, most rechargeable batteries will be drained when used in a Serena shade after only a few months. No returns are included on fully recessed inside-mounted blinds. Bulbs on this list will have superior dimming capability with our dimmers. startxref Using scenes, you can schedule the shades to open or close at particular times. Batteries may be visible when looking down from above at the top of an inside mount roller shade if the depth of the window frame is less than 3. In fact, the only reason you need the bridge is to cut down on battery usage, since Apple HomeKit -- the home integration system Serena uses -- relies on Wi-Fi, which drains batteries fast. Because we do not offer a cable guided system to secure extended roller shade fabric in place, some fabric movement may occur due to the motion involved when the door is opened or closed. We also offer a 24/7 technical support line with product experts available to assist you at 1.800.523.9466. These brackets will prevent the bottom of the blind from moving and adds $25 per blind. If you find some, please let us know. In addition, an alert will appear in the Lutron App indicating that the batteries will need to be changed soon. Lightly vacuum fabric with a brush type vacuum attachment, Sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution and blot dry, Blot with a solution of 1 part mild detergent and 3 parts warm water, then blot dry, Use extra care when cleaning honeycomb room-darkening fabrics, as the fabric could become permanently creased, Do not use strong detergents or spot removers, We dont recommend dry cleaning or ultrasonic cleaning, Serena shades utilize standard (Alkaline) D-cell batteries, which are known for having a very long shelf-life (up to 7 years), Our shades have an efficient hybrid-drive design. 0000002125 00000 n I ended up having to rename my shades because she never understood and responded to "left shade" "middle shade" or "right shade." The problem is, Siri is still incredibly finicky.
The back cover also blocks light that may come in between the top of the headrail and the window frame. Batteries are visible when looking down from above at the top of an outside mount roller shade with or without fascia. There aren't many competitors in the smart blinds space. This provides you with a visual indication that you need to change the batteries. The problem is, these scenes can't be triggered by anything except time. But the dealer who supplied the shade routinely offers discount coupons. We steer you to products you'll love and show you how to get the most out of them. With a power drill and a couple screwdrivers, I was able to set it up within 30 minutes. ^6}_yuH46]}}z_PH}~,[y0|9+"!?2? The Lutron app can be downloaded in the App Store or the Google Play store free of charge. Put together, theyre a no-brainer.
This is the first step to setting up the Natural Light Optimization feature. With the exception of HomeKit support, all other features remain identical for generation 1 and generation 2. Lutron Serena shades look and work great; it's just a shame that they're so expensive.Credit: Tom's Guide. R value is a measurement of thermal resistance basically, how well something provides insulation.
If your shade is not closing, please contact us at 1.855.573.7362 and we will assist you. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, If youre standing 3 feet away from a moving Serena shade, you wont hear much of anything. Natural Light Optimization is a new feature in the Lutron app for Serena wood blinds that utilizes date, time, location, and faade (through Faade Finder), to automatically adjust blinds throughout the day to optimize the natural light in the space. 67 0 obj <> endobj (Dealer login required to access More Information links). If you want a more formal look, Lutron also sells a wallplate bracket that gives the Pico remote a built-in look, but it depends on the presence of a junction box in the wall. Geofencing: This GPS-based solution is one way developers have tried to automate smart home tech. Unlike Somfy Motorized Blinds, no expensive whole-home automation system like Savant (or even more affordable system like Lowe's Iris) is necessary. The two shades I tested, which measured about 34 inches wide by 42 inches long, cost about $850 total and that was with the least expensive options selected. The good news is, besides the Caseta Bridge, you'll only have to buy shades. S)B2e 0r(tX h(9Lzt,s We do not offer a top down or skylight option for honeycomb shades. The batteries for Serena honeycomb shades and wood blinds are conveniently housed within the headrail or behind the headrail in a slim external battery pack. 1K[tpUO%)pl2d929,:l\_?>{@T4{y?bWV{%n2~C|VU Eb$BTiSs%*#9Rf*Hg*8>M<2*64M))|6U^QLqxBxD%fjT`k7a[ L+r8hJf433PvSuDKz+i]5y"%t $d1}5]tcFstCD}1T=Lw}\} The fabric itself feels very high end, though, and the entire shade is quite attractive both when closed or partially open. For more information on HomeKit click here. However, unlike a smart plug or light bulb that might cost $50 tops, smart shades are a serious investment. Using IFTTT, you can also create a scenario where the shades will automatically lower if your smart thermostat rises above a certain temperature. Keep in mind, though, that choosing textured fabrics and colors other than white will cause the price of the blinds to quickly skyrocket. Even assuming you dont need the Lutron bridge, the same-size Serena shade would still cost $88 more. 0000000016 00000 n 0000030339 00000 n 0000003271 00000 n Lutron's Serena smart shades aren't cheap by any stretch, but they let you further automate your home's devices. You can, however, adjust the start and end times during which NLO is activated. So you can't set the cellular shades to close and conserve heat if the thermostat's temperature is drifting too low. Today's best Lutron Serena Smart Shades deals, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Lutron Serena Smart Shades at The Home Depot for $456.89, Our Favorite Smart Home Gadgets and Systems, Galaxy Chromebook Go specs and everything we know, Chromebooks just tipped to get this handy smartphone feature what you need to know, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin release date and time how to watch online right now, The best duvets in 2022: Panda, Simba, Silentnight and more, PSVR2 see-through mode just revealed ahead of launch, MacBook Pro M1 just dropped to $999 lowest price ever, The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. 0000047038 00000 n Somewhat confusingly, the Alexa app only has on-screen controls for "Off" or "On," which raises or lowers the blinds completely, but you can also say "lower shades 50 percent," and theyll close halfway. Either benefit would justify the $10 to $20 (depending on shade width) in additional cost. No. Our shade warranty is an 8-year limited warranty. More Information, Our patented power technology yields industry leading battery performance with store bought batteries. A back cover is a piece of material that installs behind the brackets of an insulating honeycomb shade. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 0000013312 00000 n Option 2: Without the Plug-In Adapter a licensed electrician is needed to install a Lutron Power Panel as an option for connecting up to ten wired shades. David Priest is an award-winning writer and editor who covers home security for CNET. Up to 75. Serena roller shades can be securely mounted on doors.
Lutron custom-builds the shades, then ships them to your home. -Eto&0MZ06W $9c$v72]C1++u~s;gy.?5%~:,x2w7{(zmMv}?,8MKtS/s'5EM?]pQGo?#%W Scenes can also operate on geofence triggers: closing your shades and turning down your thermostat when you leave and take your cell phone with you; opening your shades, turning on your lights, and playing your favorite playlist when you return home with it. I liked that I could control them not just with Lutron's app and remote, but with a host of other smart-home systems, too. One $40 adapter is needed per shade and available for purchase on this site. The window I installed the Serena shade on has the same southern exposure that the larger window in my home theater does, so I chose a room-darkening honeycomb fabric similar to what Graber offers. New York, Not at all. But needing to set up two sets of rules using two apps instead of one just isnt that big of a deal, especially since creating rules tends to be a one-time thing that only needs to be performed when you add a new component to your system. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. blinds will move to prevent direct sunlight into the home even if its rainy or cloudy outside. Then download the Lutron app and launch it on your smart device. To do this, you need to select the Siri Integration option in the Settings within the Lutron App and add multiple users. Larger R values mean better insulation, which translates to lower heating and cooling costs. 0000032878 00000 n Siri: Voice control is one of the biggest appeals to Apple HomeKit.
0000043198 00000 n A Lutron Smart Bridge generation 2 (L-BDG2-WH) or Lutron Smart Bridge PRO generation 2 (L-BDGPRO2-WH) is required, as well as the iOS Lutron App for Caseta Wireless version 2.2 or later. Lutron's Serena Smart Shades are easy to install and use, HomeKit offers promising smarts and overall the experience is pretty painless. NL&'|U~l)httt@(Vd*(H[ 7X4?>nD2f9D#Bt), L1c|0aBCsYDlB$32%17ff(1S o3lfe>uH! +:0 ] Smart lights are handy for adding illumination when it's dark, but what if you want to let the sun do the work? Although the price is too high for most consumers to comfortably afford multiple Serena Remote Controllable Shades, the product is pretty sharp. Even if you arent very handy, installation should take no more than 30 minutes. MySmartBlinds cost about half as much for a similar-size shade, but you can pick only one style of shade, with just two color options. Serena shades are more expensive than much of the competition, but Lutron delivers some great features in return for the extra coin. Our digital control circuitry makes sure that your shades move at the same speed. Its easy! HM$7}ZZ(c/z"WcwWj And while Lutrons proprietary radio technology means the Serena shade is not as widely supported by third-party smart home systems, it is fully compatible with Samsung SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, and both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Works with Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. First, I had to drill four holes into my window frame to attach the brackets. And if youre buying multiple shades, the difference will add up quickly. Next, I had to connect the Lutron Bridge to my router with the included Ethernet cable, though I wish the company would develop a Wi-Fi version. 0 Heres why you can trust us. Each wired shade comes with a 15 cord inside the headrail. Alternatively, you can mount the shade outside the window frame or above it. Personally, Ill deal with the batteries. 0000015125 00000 n If youve set up a smart home hub, that reliance on Lutrons own communications protocol will likely determine if you can incorporate the shades directly into your broader smart home system. 92Gdad#stfG9i0G# ps+aW] v%J+YaVfYaVfYaVfYaV:NeWfYT8h0h0,"`0{3fc=CCF6vhn=:tvw~w~w~w~w~ivW[-gJ\r~+? *|18e};J]o8!+ ;. NY 10036. If you have one shade (with brand new batteries) right next to another shade (with old batteries), they will still move at the same speed. Then, I paired the shades with the bridge in the Lutron app (Android and iOS (opens in new tab)). Reducing heating and cooling costs. No. 0000043113 00000 n Mike Prospero You can pair the remote with a single shade or have it control all the shades in a single room. 0000004581 00000 n A painted finish coats the top of the wood; a stained finish penetrates the wood, preserving its natural look. Local Storage seems to be disabled in your browser. That means the shade has the potential to move thousands of times on a single set of batteries.
Serena insulating honeycomb shades have air pockets built into their fabric that provide insulation. When inviting other users you need to enter their iCloud Apple ID. Once the shades arrived, I found it pretty easy to install them.
More Information. The Lutron app will control existing Serena shades. 1.888.445.8063Business hours: M-F 8a-8p EST & Sat 9a-6p EST; our office is closed Sundays. endstream endobj 80 0 obj <>stream Once the invitation is accepted, they will also be able to control the lights in the home using Siri. This doesn't affect our editorial independence. I9Gwo>Ez|Ko_[0s suj+wlk5\CmJ0'7W/_n?x70Kk/~_>__:[6Y~I!/fK!2f~KcD"v90,(N>qLPuRhL The great part about NLO is that you dont have to create their own schedules or scenes for this to work. Serena honeycomb shades have a fantastic R value as high as 4.3. 5\ZGhS[$19u(sp8@LELSOkhSaS,k=eAMHTbu\I^UN_0JB3UBD[BT4X$" b 1.888.445.8063 during business hours1.800.523.9466 outside of business hours. 0000101649 00000 n Follow the steps here to make sure you have a supported Apple TV: Remote access through Apple TV may require you to log out of iCloud and log back in on your Apple TV. Yes. More than many other smart-home devices, smart shades feel like a "nice to have" product rather than a must-have. Plus, despite the name, Lutron's "Scenes" don't equal HomeKit's "Scenes." If you are interested in a hard wired solution for tensioned roller shades that can open from the bottom up or be used for a skylight application, please visit www.Lutron.com/wheretobuy/ to find a Lutron Full Line Shading dealer in your area. I chose the latter, mainly for aesthetic reasons: I didn't want a cord dangling from the top of my window. Ikea is bringing some smart shades to the U.S. in April, so it may be worth the wait to see how much theyll cost, and how well they work. Made to order; price determined by size, accessories, and installation choices.
A wireless repeater may be purchased to extend the range by 60 if needed. An Account is Required to Place Orders. If you are interested in this option, please call the Serena Team at. Serena Automated Shades can be controlled with an RF (radio frequency) remote and using smart devices when you purchase the Smart Bridge and download the Lutron App. Trust me, youll eventually want to expand beyond that universe. It utilizes the phones internal compass to provide a suggested direction, but the user can also manually override this direction when selecting a faade for their blind. The Lutron App for Caseta Wireless is available for Android. It will only appear if you open the app. 0000001977 00000 n
Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). And Lutrons own bridge and the purpose-built app that goes with it make it much easier to use whether this will be the only smart device in your home or you have a complete smart home system from some other manufacturer. I also opted to get a pico remote ($25), which let me raise and lower the shades without needing to open the app on my phone.
The Bistre and SheerLite families in our roller shade offering are fire rated. Those features are apparent in both the shades industrial design and its ease of use. If you don't have any other Lutron products (such as its Caseta smart plugs), you'll also need a Lutron Caseta bridge ($80) to connect the shades to your Wi-Fi network. %%EOF Simply install your shades and smart dimmers in the room. They're well-thought-out shades, but their price will keep them out of reach for most. So your mobile app communicates with the plugged-in Caseta Bridge, which in turn communicates with the Serena Shades using a low-energy communication protocol. We have tested many commonly-used bulbs with these dimmers, and have put together a compatible bulb list. Id much rather use the Vivint app to create rules to control when my lights turn off, my shades close, and my thermostat adjusts the heat. Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher.
Once installed, the shades responded nearly instantly to both the app and the remote. There was a problem. When used with Casta Wireless, Siri can control Lutron wireless shades in iOS 9 and later. While this list isn't the most impressive lineup of smart home devices, Serena works with more products than any other smart shades I've seen. The design uses ultra-low standby power that is like the electricity drawn from electronics even when they are turned off. When your shade's batteries are getting low, they will begin moving at half speed. 67 59
There is no limit to how many shades a remote can control in a single room. If additional wireless range is needed, you can use a plug-in lamp dimmer to extend the range by an additional 30 (this only applies to the FIRST plug-in lamp dimmer added in the Lutron app). S-b$SAB z31-/2"M0!='Y]?TRq:G HAK(hQ!qy?8.a { #8_!&#GWbLjJHuh ;ztNiy )bN3$ :2G\ca) ANyL=(spbh_ \]pJjVLfQBN" 8V+C \k%[#;=5{jX-~o[-N&'~Gw;5pV0+ Compare that to a 9.6dB increase for the Graber shade. Both mounting options give you the opportunity to remove the Pico remote from the wall and carry it with you.
Providing insulation. This piece enhances the look of the shade from the outside of the home by covering the brackets. 0000005290 00000 n
0000072180 00000 n
0000047065 00000 n
Copyright 2022 IDG Communications, Inc. Can be integrated into some smart home systems, but it doesnt depend on one, Custom made for your windows, so youll get a perfect fit, Battery compartment integrated into the headrail, An optional cover hides the mounting brackets and reduces light leakage over the headrail, Operates using a proprietary wireless protocol, More expensive than some competitors when you factor everything in. Then, blinds will run on a unique daily schedule. This partnership works well. Serena shade, Casta dimmer, Pico remote, etc.) Depending upon the style and installation of the shade, gaps (light that can enter a room through the space between the edge of the shade and the window frame) may allow some light in around the edges of the window. They work well and look great, but Lutron's Serena smart shades are really expensive. 0000101264 00000 n
0000021862 00000 n
You can use a 4-group RF remote control to operate individual shades or a group of shades with the touch of a button. Please call the Serena Shade Specialists at 1.855.573.7362 during business hours: M-F 8a-8p EST & Sat-Sun 9a-6p EST. That means you can't activate scenes from the Lutron app using Siri. Automated shades can be a cool feature for any living space, but when you start looking at the market, you might be surprised how expensive outfitting a whole home can be. Here's how each feature stacked up. Lutrons five-button Pico remote for controlling its Serena shades is excellent, but it will add $25 to your bill for each shade you order. The 34 x 58-inch Serena shade reviewed here is priced at $474, plus $25 for the Pico remote and $80 for the bridge for a total cost of $579. Unlike traditional shades, Lutron's Serena smart shades don't have exterior cords to raise and lower them. 0000072219 00000 n A difference of 1.3dB isnt likely to impact your satisfaction level with either product, especially once youve grown accustomed to the sound of the shades opening and closing, but its a difference worth reporting. He built his own smart home in 2007 and used it as a real-world test lab for product reviews. Modern green devices draw up to 1 watt of power when in standby. Upon ordering your Serena shade, you must specify your power source either battery or wired. A typical double-pane window has an R value of 2.0, so adding a Serena shade can significantly increase the insulation of a window. You can program each button on this remote to a single shade or to a select group of shades that you want to control at the same time. The Caseta Bridge connects directly to your router. 0000004014 00000 n Serena shades are controlled by Lutrons proprietary Clear Connect radio technology, so part of the added cost is the requirement to buy a Lutron Smart Bridge, which costs about $80. 0000011003 00000 n 0000014700 00000 n Lutron has been very good about integrating its smart-home products with other services; not only do the Serena shades work with Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings and Apple's HomeKit, but you can also pair Lutron's products with thermostats from Honeywell, Nest, Carrier, and Ecobee, as well as Sonos systems. When roller shades are up all the way, 4.5 inches (114 mm) of fascia/headrail will cover the window. They're expensive and require a $150 Smart Bridge to integrate with HomeKit, plus some of the features like Geofencing and Siri integration come with the expected spotty performance. First off, you don't need anything extra to install the shades -- they work exactly like dumb shades. xref If two smart devices are tied to the same Smart Bridge, the last button pressed will control the shades and lights in the space. We offer an outside mounted cable guided solution for our insulating honeycomb shades that secures the shade in place when a door opens or closes. Serena shades use our Clear Connect RF technology, which operates in the 434 MHz band - far away from the 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies that are often used by cordless phones, security systems, baby monitors, and microwaves. That said, smart shades and blinds have a lot of potential. It's important to understand the needs of the application prior to placing your Serena shade order. The Pico Remotes size makes it easy to misplace, but you can mount a plastic block to the wall and slide the remote onto it, so the shades can be controlled from the wall just like a light switch. Lutron also offers an optional back cover that not only reduces the amount of light leaking around the top of the shade when mounted inside the window frame, it also hides the mounting brackets when the shade is viewed from outside the window. 0000025611 00000 n But the attraction of the apps programmability depends on your sticking with Lutrons lighting, window covering, and ceiling fan controls, plus the limited number of third-party products that Lutron has decided to support. 0000047364 00000 n 0000012482 00000 n In other words, most rechargeable batteries will be drained when used in a Serena shade after only a few months. No returns are included on fully recessed inside-mounted blinds. Bulbs on this list will have superior dimming capability with our dimmers. startxref Using scenes, you can schedule the shades to open or close at particular times. Batteries may be visible when looking down from above at the top of an inside mount roller shade if the depth of the window frame is less than 3. In fact, the only reason you need the bridge is to cut down on battery usage, since Apple HomeKit -- the home integration system Serena uses -- relies on Wi-Fi, which drains batteries fast. Because we do not offer a cable guided system to secure extended roller shade fabric in place, some fabric movement may occur due to the motion involved when the door is opened or closed. We also offer a 24/7 technical support line with product experts available to assist you at 1.800.523.9466. These brackets will prevent the bottom of the blind from moving and adds $25 per blind. If you find some, please let us know. In addition, an alert will appear in the Lutron App indicating that the batteries will need to be changed soon. Lightly vacuum fabric with a brush type vacuum attachment, Sponge with a mild detergent and warm water solution and blot dry, Blot with a solution of 1 part mild detergent and 3 parts warm water, then blot dry, Use extra care when cleaning honeycomb room-darkening fabrics, as the fabric could become permanently creased, Do not use strong detergents or spot removers, We dont recommend dry cleaning or ultrasonic cleaning, Serena shades utilize standard (Alkaline) D-cell batteries, which are known for having a very long shelf-life (up to 7 years), Our shades have an efficient hybrid-drive design. 0000002125 00000 n I ended up having to rename my shades because she never understood and responded to "left shade" "middle shade" or "right shade." The problem is, Siri is still incredibly finicky.
The back cover also blocks light that may come in between the top of the headrail and the window frame. Batteries are visible when looking down from above at the top of an outside mount roller shade with or without fascia. There aren't many competitors in the smart blinds space. This provides you with a visual indication that you need to change the batteries. The problem is, these scenes can't be triggered by anything except time. But the dealer who supplied the shade routinely offers discount coupons. We steer you to products you'll love and show you how to get the most out of them. With a power drill and a couple screwdrivers, I was able to set it up within 30 minutes. ^6}_yuH46]}}z_PH}~,[y0|9+"!?2? The Lutron app can be downloaded in the App Store or the Google Play store free of charge. Put together, theyre a no-brainer.
This is the first step to setting up the Natural Light Optimization feature. With the exception of HomeKit support, all other features remain identical for generation 1 and generation 2. Lutron Serena shades look and work great; it's just a shame that they're so expensive.Credit: Tom's Guide. R value is a measurement of thermal resistance basically, how well something provides insulation.
If your shade is not closing, please contact us at 1.855.573.7362 and we will assist you. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, If youre standing 3 feet away from a moving Serena shade, you wont hear much of anything. Natural Light Optimization is a new feature in the Lutron app for Serena wood blinds that utilizes date, time, location, and faade (through Faade Finder), to automatically adjust blinds throughout the day to optimize the natural light in the space. 67 0 obj <> endobj (Dealer login required to access More Information links). If you want a more formal look, Lutron also sells a wallplate bracket that gives the Pico remote a built-in look, but it depends on the presence of a junction box in the wall. Geofencing: This GPS-based solution is one way developers have tried to automate smart home tech. Unlike Somfy Motorized Blinds, no expensive whole-home automation system like Savant (or even more affordable system like Lowe's Iris) is necessary. The two shades I tested, which measured about 34 inches wide by 42 inches long, cost about $850 total and that was with the least expensive options selected. The good news is, besides the Caseta Bridge, you'll only have to buy shades. S)B2e 0r(tX h(9Lzt,s We do not offer a top down or skylight option for honeycomb shades. The batteries for Serena honeycomb shades and wood blinds are conveniently housed within the headrail or behind the headrail in a slim external battery pack. 1K[tpUO%)pl2d929,:l\_?>{@T4{y?bWV{%n2~C|VU Eb$BTiSs%*#9Rf*Hg*8>M<2*64M))|6U^QLqxBxD%fjT`k7a[ L+r8hJf433PvSuDKz+i]5y"%t $d1}5]tcFstCD}1T=Lw}\} The fabric itself feels very high end, though, and the entire shade is quite attractive both when closed or partially open. For more information on HomeKit click here. However, unlike a smart plug or light bulb that might cost $50 tops, smart shades are a serious investment. Using IFTTT, you can also create a scenario where the shades will automatically lower if your smart thermostat rises above a certain temperature. Keep in mind, though, that choosing textured fabrics and colors other than white will cause the price of the blinds to quickly skyrocket. Even assuming you dont need the Lutron bridge, the same-size Serena shade would still cost $88 more. 0000000016 00000 n 0000030339 00000 n 0000003271 00000 n Lutron's Serena smart shades aren't cheap by any stretch, but they let you further automate your home's devices. You can, however, adjust the start and end times during which NLO is activated. So you can't set the cellular shades to close and conserve heat if the thermostat's temperature is drifting too low. Today's best Lutron Serena Smart Shades deals, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Lutron Serena Smart Shades at The Home Depot for $456.89, Our Favorite Smart Home Gadgets and Systems, Galaxy Chromebook Go specs and everything we know, Chromebooks just tipped to get this handy smartphone feature what you need to know, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin release date and time how to watch online right now, The best duvets in 2022: Panda, Simba, Silentnight and more, PSVR2 see-through mode just revealed ahead of launch, MacBook Pro M1 just dropped to $999 lowest price ever, The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. 0000047038 00000 n Somewhat confusingly, the Alexa app only has on-screen controls for "Off" or "On," which raises or lowers the blinds completely, but you can also say "lower shades 50 percent," and theyll close halfway. Either benefit would justify the $10 to $20 (depending on shade width) in additional cost. No. Our shade warranty is an 8-year limited warranty. More Information, Our patented power technology yields industry leading battery performance with store bought batteries. A back cover is a piece of material that installs behind the brackets of an insulating honeycomb shade. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 0000013312 00000 n Option 2: Without the Plug-In Adapter a licensed electrician is needed to install a Lutron Power Panel as an option for connecting up to ten wired shades. David Priest is an award-winning writer and editor who covers home security for CNET. Up to 75. Serena roller shades can be securely mounted on doors.
Lutron custom-builds the shades, then ships them to your home. -Eto&0MZ06W $9c$v72]C1++u~s;gy.?5%~:,x2w7{(zmMv}?,8MKtS/s'5EM?]pQGo?#%W Scenes can also operate on geofence triggers: closing your shades and turning down your thermostat when you leave and take your cell phone with you; opening your shades, turning on your lights, and playing your favorite playlist when you return home with it. I liked that I could control them not just with Lutron's app and remote, but with a host of other smart-home systems, too. One $40 adapter is needed per shade and available for purchase on this site. The window I installed the Serena shade on has the same southern exposure that the larger window in my home theater does, so I chose a room-darkening honeycomb fabric similar to what Graber offers. New York, Not at all. But needing to set up two sets of rules using two apps instead of one just isnt that big of a deal, especially since creating rules tends to be a one-time thing that only needs to be performed when you add a new component to your system. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. blinds will move to prevent direct sunlight into the home even if its rainy or cloudy outside. Then download the Lutron app and launch it on your smart device. To do this, you need to select the Siri Integration option in the Settings within the Lutron App and add multiple users. Larger R values mean better insulation, which translates to lower heating and cooling costs. 0000032878 00000 n Siri: Voice control is one of the biggest appeals to Apple HomeKit.
0000043198 00000 n A Lutron Smart Bridge generation 2 (L-BDG2-WH) or Lutron Smart Bridge PRO generation 2 (L-BDGPRO2-WH) is required, as well as the iOS Lutron App for Caseta Wireless version 2.2 or later. Lutron's Serena Smart Shades are easy to install and use, HomeKit offers promising smarts and overall the experience is pretty painless. NL&'|U~l)httt@(Vd*(H[ 7X4?>nD2f9D#Bt), L1c|0aBCsYDlB$32%17ff(1S o3lfe>uH! +:0 ] Smart lights are handy for adding illumination when it's dark, but what if you want to let the sun do the work? Although the price is too high for most consumers to comfortably afford multiple Serena Remote Controllable Shades, the product is pretty sharp. Even if you arent very handy, installation should take no more than 30 minutes. MySmartBlinds cost about half as much for a similar-size shade, but you can pick only one style of shade, with just two color options. Serena shades are more expensive than much of the competition, but Lutron delivers some great features in return for the extra coin. Our digital control circuitry makes sure that your shades move at the same speed. Its easy! HM$7}ZZ(c/z"WcwWj And while Lutrons proprietary radio technology means the Serena shade is not as widely supported by third-party smart home systems, it is fully compatible with Samsung SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, and both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Works with Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. First, I had to drill four holes into my window frame to attach the brackets. And if youre buying multiple shades, the difference will add up quickly. Next, I had to connect the Lutron Bridge to my router with the included Ethernet cable, though I wish the company would develop a Wi-Fi version. 0 Heres why you can trust us. Each wired shade comes with a 15 cord inside the headrail. Alternatively, you can mount the shade outside the window frame or above it. Personally, Ill deal with the batteries. 0000015125 00000 n If youve set up a smart home hub, that reliance on Lutrons own communications protocol will likely determine if you can incorporate the shades directly into your broader smart home system. 92Gdad#stfG9i0G# ps+aW] v%J+YaVfYaVfYaVfYaV:NeWfYT8h0h0,"`0{3fc=CCF6vhn=:tvw~w~w~w~w~ivW[-gJ\r~+? *|18e};J]o8!+ ;. NY 10036. If you have one shade (with brand new batteries) right next to another shade (with old batteries), they will still move at the same speed. Then, I paired the shades with the bridge in the Lutron app (Android and iOS (opens in new tab)). Reducing heating and cooling costs. No. 0000043113 00000 n Mike Prospero You can pair the remote with a single shade or have it control all the shades in a single room. 0000004581 00000 n A painted finish coats the top of the wood; a stained finish penetrates the wood, preserving its natural look. Local Storage seems to be disabled in your browser. That means the shade has the potential to move thousands of times on a single set of batteries.