My Leviton

So simple to control lights in each room. My condo is small, so I just have my lights grouped by floor. Makes it so easy to lay in bed and make sure they're all off before going to sleep (I tend to forget my basement lights are on). I installed most of the smart switches myself (probably could have done them all if instructions were better for the 3-ways). They are reliable quality, just like one would expect from a tried and true brand like Leviton. I have some switches, some dimmers, some remotes with smart plugs, and a mix of single pole vs. 3-ways. The 3-ways were the hardest to install due to poorly written directions (even my electrician with 40+ years of experience struggled!). All my outside lights are smart, so I can turn the front lights on from any room if I'm expecting company or dim the light above my back patio when entertaining. They are amazing. My only 2 complaints are that 1.) my light bulbs squeal when they're dimmed (I need to look into why this is) and 2.) I wish Leviton made smart bulbs so I didn't have to use a separate app to dim my ceiling fan lights.

I have no doubt Leviton saw the low ratings of their old, clunky app, decided to create a new, terrible app then bought a bunch of 5 star ratings from a bot farm. Seriously, read the 5-star reviews, “useful & intuitive app”, “Tops” “great k intuitive” no mention of what it is or does. So many fakes. Tap and hold the fake reviews and REPORT, “looks like spam” AND they released this versions so they can make money off your personal information. Check your Privacy Report. The new app contacts googleapi, the old one didn’t. This is 100% abysmal. I did find out how to use WITHOUT an ACCOUNT: log out, then at the bottom of the phone, try tapping the “Use with HomeKit only” without touching the Home Bar. Grant permission to access your Home info. Load for 15 seconds. THEN, you get to see 20 “Light”s, 10 “Lamp”s, 5 “Fan”s … “In what room do they reside?” you ask. We’ll never know bc the app doesn’t show rooms. You can’t sort by room, nor does tapping on an accessory reveal the room. And when you go back to huge, useless list, it gets stuck loading, so you have to quit the app and start all over again. I only even downloaded this app bc they broke the old app; I can’t even use the old app to change settings like initial brightness, min dim, etc. of existing device. Shame on Leviton. I have spent far too much money on these products, which worked okay in the last app, now we are all forced to use this trashy, simply unusable, privacy stealing app.

I installed various (Leviton and other) smart switches and load controllers (outlet based, lamps) and 90% of the wall switches (single, 3-way, dimmer) in my house app. 2 years ago. My house is relatively new construction and all switch boxes had a neutral readily available. In preparation I attached 6” leads (EG, N, H, L -as appropriate) to all devices. Then I removed the existing switches, attached 6” leads, similarly to the switches, and connected them using twist on wire nuts. The only circuit giving me any trouble was a multi-switch overhead stair well lamp. With some trial and error I correctly installed 1 master and 2 remote switches. I opted for the network connected type devices. In the last year, I’ve had a single switch fail ( the device showed in my iPhone app but would not switch a load). The LED illuminated, and the device configured properly . I replace the failed switch and the circuit now functions properly. I think it’s likely the SCR/triac output stage failed open. On rare and random occasion some overhead lamps have turned on/off without being commanded. Overall I’m pleased with and recommend the system. I have several timed actions and macro type groups, e.g., all on, all off, evening. I would like to see a smart wall outlet optionally with current, voltage, and power measurement/reporting. Plus an open API with access to the devices allowing control and data reporting. FWIW, I am an electronics engineer with 30+ years as a technical consultant (aerospace, industrial). I am not an electrician but installed all of the devices with little problem.