Wireless light switches halve installation cost

The UK manufactured switches from Kozee provide a simple and quick to install solution for controlling the lighting in a single room, but have the connectivity required to be a stepping stone to home automation with Alexa and Google Home.

Kozee is offering the switches to installers through Tesla UK and Tech 4 Homes as a basic switch-transmitter pair. The installer simply connects the receiver to the ceiling rose and sticks the switch in a convenient location to complete the installation – no further set up is required. There is no need to damage the surface finish of the wall by gouging out cable routes.

Kozee switches can be placed wherever they are needed – on the wall, on furniture or on a table, and moved at will to a new location. They can control individual luminaires, groups of luminaires, or all luminaires in a network or scene. The WiFi version of the receiver can be paired with an Alexa or Google Home control device if desired. It is supported by a free Kozee App allowing customers to turn their lights on and off from anywhere they have an Internet connection.

Ian Brown, Sales and Marketing Director of Kozee, explained: “The guiding principle for our design was that Kozee switches should be simple enough for my mother to use – a vision that we have fully achieved. At the same time, we recognised the needs of advanced users and the WiFi version can be integrated with popular smart home technologies.

“Kozee switches are a win-win for installers and home owners alike. Installers adopting Kozee achieve a substantial competitive advantage over those staying with wired switch technology. They will deliver a much neater and quicker job, potentially combining lower cost to the customer with higher margins due to the rapid install. Home owners are offered flexibility, controllability and most of all they aren’t faced with redecorating the room following the installation or the need to worry about replacing batteries.”

Description of Kozee switches

Kozee wireless, battery free light switches are an ideal, neat and cost-effective solution for retro-fit and new build installations alike. They are supplied paired with a receiver which a qualified electrician can wire discreetly into any household LED light system. It is offered in a Bluetooth only (BT-KT07) or a Bluetooth and WiFi version (BT-KT08). Bluetooth alone is sufficient where customers only require light switching control.

Using Bluetooth and WiFi together allows the switch to communicate with Alexa and Google and also provides customers with access to their lighting when away from the home. The WiFi version of the receiver also acts as a hub for the entire Kozee Smart Home range providing safety monitoring and control of the home environment. The switch can be moved by the home owner at any time, without any safety risk.

Each receiver can control up to 120W of lighting and has two separately switchable channels. Multiple switches can be paired with the same receiver to allow lighting to be controlled from different locations within the room. Kozee currently offers the switch as a single-gang version (BT-UK01). A two-gang version of the UK switch is currently in development as well as a pluggable receiver and a 6-channel receiver.

Kozee accessories

Kozee also offers a range of sensors which are compatible with its receivers and its App. These include water sensors that can be placed under any appliance or pipe to provide an early indication of leaks. There is also a ceiling-mounted PIR sensor for movement detection and a multi-sensor that measures temperature, humidity, illumination and acceleration / orientation.

How Kozee switches work

Kozee switches are based on EnOcean energy harvesting technology. The action of pressing the switch creates sufficient energy for a control pulse to be sent via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to the paired receiver, actuating the lights. The PIR and multi-sensor are powered by the ambient light in the environment, but can operate autonomously without light for up to four days. 

The water sensor is the only Kozee product that is powered by a battery allowing it to be installed in locations with little or no available light. The battery on this sensor has a long life of approximately three years.