Smart Lighting & Occupancy Control in a Jersey City Studio

🏙️ The Setting

Tucked in the heart of Jersey City, this compact short-term rental studio offered everything a guest needed — except the wow factor. While the space was modern and comfortable, the lighting setup was outdated. A single overhead bulb and manual switches made the studio feel static, and hosts often found lights left on long after guests checked out.

⚡ The Challenge

The host wanted two things:

1. A smarter, more energy-efficient way to manage lighting.
2. A way to enhance the guest experience without adding complexity or devices they’d need to explain.

Manual switches weren’t cutting it — guests would fumble for them at night, and the overall lighting mood didn’t match the premium price point of the listing.

💡 The Hello Jarvis Solution

Hello Jarvis designed and installed an automated lighting system powered by occupancy sensors and smart scenes.

• Motion-Activated Welcome: Lights softly fade on as guests enter the studio, guiding them naturally without a single touch.
• Adaptive Brightness: Morning scenes provide energizing daylight tones, while evenings transition to warm, relaxing hues.
• Auto-Off Detection: When guests leave, sensors detect vacancy and gently power down the lights — saving energy without sacrificing comfort.

All of this runs locally through Home Assistant, ensuring reliability even if Wi-Fi drops.

🌙 The Transformation

The result is a seamless, hands-free experience that makes the studio feel alive and intelligent.
Guests rave about the “hotel-like feel,” while the host enjoys:

• Lower electricity bills
• Less wear and tear on bulbs
• Zero guest confusion or setup needed

What was once an ordinary rental now feels like a high-end, tech-forward retreat — one that practically runs itself.

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