Buying A15 smart light bulbs can sometimes feel daunting since the A19 size is so common. But don't worry, they're not the only fish in the sea. There are plenty of home automation options waiting to be discovered!
A15 Smart Bulbs for Ceiling Fans
When it comes to upgrading your ceiling fan light, you will be surprised to learn there aren’t a lot of A15 smart bulbs available.
We provide 6 ways to transform your ceiling fan light into a smart light!
Option 1: Order an A15 Smart Bulb
Throughout our research for this article, we could only find one A15 smart bulb worth considering. For that reason, we provide other options to upgrade your ceiling fan light.
This product is a bright, low-energy A15 LED Smart Bulb packed with smart features in a small footprint.
- Remote access and control through Wi-Fi network, even when away using an app. The Smart Life app also enables access to more smart features.
- Compatible with voice assistants, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. Siri is also named, but you’ll probably have to check further. The Amazon page also specifies the ability to use IFTTT control. Check out the Smart Life IFTTT page.
- Thanks to the use of LED technology, up to 60% of energy savings are claimed. The bulb uses the proprietary “new” REPSN LED, which gives it a long lifespan of “over 35,000 hours or 29 years lifetime.”
Option 2: Install a Smart Switch
Smart switches help upgrade regular lights and connect them to your smart home with a simple setup. The choices below also work with your ceiling fan.
Some features are limited if your ceiling fan uses a remote or a pull chain/rope switch. It’s a good idea to consult a professional if unsure on how to proceed.
This 2-in-1 smart fan control + dimmer light switch from Treatlife smartens up your regular lights or fan. Use the dedicated app or voice assistant apps to maximize its automated home features.
- Remote control of this 2-in-1 fan control + dimmer light switch is made possible thanks to compatibility with smart control apps, including major voice assistant brands. Control your fan and light inside or out of the house from your smartphone.
- Scheduling, automated switching, and dimming
- Popular voice assistants compatibility.
The product is tagged with the official “Works with” Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant labels. It can also work with Siri through HomeKit and Homebridge
Functioning wirelessly using the Z-Wave low-energy radio technology, this smart fan & light control from Inovelli packs a lot of tech. It claims to be “the ultimate fan & light switch.”
- Uses the latest Z-Wave Plus tech as of 2021, the Z-Wave 700 series, boasting low power, wide range, speediness, and security.
- Maximum control over your fan and light with wide configuration options, scene control, LED indicators and notifications, and more.
- Broad compatibility with major Z-Wave compatible hubs and ecosystems, including voice control. Combined with other voice assistants, it helps you maximize home automation and voice control.
The wide range of customization, together with home automation and compatibility with major smart ecosystems makes this hard to dispute.
This product from Esmlfe is a 2-in-1 fan control + dimmer light switch alternative to the offering by Treatlife above.
- Remote control of your fan and light through your Wi-Fi network. You can also bring this control everywhere you have an internet connection.
- Access to more features, such as voice commands or scheduling, using your phone with the Smart Life app installed.
- Compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
It's compatible with smart home ecosystems by Amazon and Google, including the smart speakers Echo/Dot and Google Home. IFTTT capabilities are also specified.
Option 3: Use a Remote Controller
If you have one of the more modern ceiling fans that can be controlled by remote control (IR or RF), you can use a “smarter” remote control to upgrade it. This can be a cheap alternative to other options that include more than one bridge or hub to link the ceiling fan.
The Bond Bridge enables your regular remote-controlled ceiling fan to be connected to Wi-Fi and gain additional features through the Bond app.
- The “bridge” ability to connect your analog fan to the network is convenient and saves money, compared to other alternatives. The attached ceiling fan lights can also be controlled using the smart features in the app.
- The Bond Bridge can detect your fan’s brand and model and can enable features that work for your specific fan using the app. There are at least 700 different devices registered in the Bond database. Devices that aren’t registered can still be programmed in.
- Compatibility with major voice tech like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings.
Option 4: Hardwire a control module
This option involves some wiring work where you install the module in between the power source and the ceiling fan.
The module enables you to control your fan wirelessly using an app or your voice.
The Insteon Ceiling Fan and Light Control Module is a convenient option when you can’t replace the wall switch.
- Remote control of both fan speeds (4 speeds available) and lights (including dimming) using the app via the required Insteon Hub
- Smart home and voice control compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
- Avoiding having to replace a wall switch or run wires through the wall is a great option for some. Install the module within the fan canopy.
Thanks to the module, you’ll get the standard set of smart features like scheduling and voice/remote control. Convenient as it is, you’ll need the Insteon Hub to fully utilize it.
The Aeotec Nano Dimmer Lighting Controller is a Z-Wave Plus alternative, a welcome one for those invested in a Z-Wave ecosystem. This product has received many improvements so far in its third generation (current as of 2021).
- This third generation controller can be installed in most wiring situations and is compatible with practically all common light bulbs (including the new and even upcoming ones through a quick firmware update).
- Schedule, dim, or brighten your regular dimmable lights remotely, and through Z-Wave technology, equip them with more smart features.
- With broad voice control options, you don’t have to spend more time accessing a wall switch or looking for a remote.
Option 5: Use an Adapter & Standard Smart Bulb (if there's space)
This is an easy and cheap solution to be able to use a broader range of smart bulbs.
Use a step-up adapter to use one of the more popular base sockets (like E26 or E27). This way, you instantly have more smart bulb options.
Be careful though, as smart bulbs tend to be larger than normal bulbs, so you may not have enough space in the ceiling fan light enclosure.
This bulb socket adapter from Jackyled provides lots of value with its high-quality build to make it long-lasting. It also helps keep you safe with a durable construction that resists fire and burning.
- Built sturdily using high-quality materials. It's described to have solid construction and is “high temperature resistant, corrosion-resistant, and anti-burning.”
- Great value for its price, compatible with dimmable and smart bulbs. Just what you needed. Looks good and neat, doesn't look cheap.
- Comes in packs of 2, 5, and 10 for maximum savings. Great if you were planning to replace multiple bulbs.
This smart bulb from Philips is a solid solution for your home’s smart lighting. It’s packed with value for your money. And have we already mentioned there’s a 3-year warranty?
- Remote and voice control-enabled, compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also build an ecosystem using Philips’s own smart hub, allowing you to control multiple rooms remotely in or out of your home and automate your lighting.
- Easy install, easy to use. The Philips Hue Smart Bulb is a great addition to your smart home or a worth-it investment in starting to integrate smart lighting.
- Long lifetime of 25,000 hours and Energy Star Certified. Converted to human years, that’s 22! And if that is not worth it enough for you, there’s a 3-year warranty for your peace of mind.
Option 6: Replace the Ceiling Fan
It might not be your first option, but if all else fails you can replace the ceiling fan! There are a lot of smart fan choices that can be good investments for your home.
The beautiful Symphony smart ceiling fan by Hunter Fan Company is designed to make your home more liveable, not just through its modern style but also through its smart features.
- Integrated control system with dimmable light to control the ambiance and multi-speed reversible fan motor to adapt to different seasons. The height is also adjustable to help you optimize comfort for your space. And a remote is also included for your convenience.
- Aesthetic design to inspire the modern smart home. It comes with multiple color options to help you match it to your home.
- Compatible with major smart ecosystems, namely, Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant. The complementary app from Hunter also helps you maximize the fan’s technology.
Things to Consider
A15 Smart Bulb & Normal Light Switch
We tend to flick a light or fan switch as second nature. But a smart bulb needs continuous power and Wi-Fi to execute schedules and carry out remote commands.So you’ll need to leave the switch on.
When you troubleshoot problems with your smart light, this is one of the first things you check.
Bulb Base Size & Shape
Ceiling fans have specific socket sizes, usually in E-series names such as E12, E26, or E27. On the other hand, bulb shapes are a different specification and don’t always use the same base for the socket.
While A15 is not a common smart bulb shape, your ceiling can fit different shapes if it uses a common socket.
Dimmer Functionality
If you have an existing dimmer switch for your A15 bulb, then it probably won’t work well if you install a smart bulb. Smart bulbs require a constant voltage to work.
It’s best to disable the dimming or leave it fixed at 100% brightness.
Do you have a smart hub?
Most of the above products feature compatibility with smart ecosystems. Make sure to check if the product requires a specific smart hub, as you may need to purchase that also.
Check also for products that require own-brand hubs or bridges to connect wirelessly to.
Do you need multi-color or just remote dimming?
Multi-color functionality is a bit of an added feature to pay for, but it can improve the quality of your space.
If you need multi-color, you will need a smart bulb. Whereas, if you just require remote dimming, a smart switch should do the job.
With multi-color smart bulbs, you can achieve a warmer ambiance for more homey situations, a specific feel for spaces like multimedia rooms, or specific looks you’d like to go for during parties, etc.
The A15 Smart Bulb Verdict
So there you have it! You now have a few alternatives to try to smarten up your A15 light bulb. Some of them are specific to your setup or the type of ceiling fan you have installed.
This product is a bright, low-energy A15 LED Smart Bulb packed with smart features in a small footprint.
- Remote access and control through Wi-Fi network, even when away using an app. The Smart Life app also enables access to more smart features.
- Compatible with voice assistants, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. Siri is also named, but you’ll probably have to check further. The Amazon page also specifies the ability to use IFTTT control. Check out the Smart Life IFTTT page.
- Thanks to the use of LED technology, up to 60% of energy savings are claimed. The bulb uses the proprietary “new” REPSN LED, which gives it a long lifespan of “over 35,000 hours or 29 years lifetime.”