(www.lutron.com) announced that its Caséta Wireless smart home system now offers the ability to control Lutron shades using its HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge providing users with control of some of the most frequently-used products in their homes. 

Earlier this year, Lutron released one of the world’s first Apple HomeKit-enabled products – its Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge, which allows users to control their lights conveniently and securely via Siri using their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Apple Watch. Adding Lutron shade support to the HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge provides a more streamlined user experience and a third option for controlling Lutron devices in the home. The other two options – the Lutron App and Pico Wireless remote control – were introduced last year.   
 
The HomeKit-enabled Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge (a do-it-yourself solution) supports Serena battery-powered shades, while the Smart Bridge PRO (a professionally-installed solution) supports Lutron Sivoia QS Triathlon wireless shades (both roller and fashion honeycomb styles), plus Sivoia QS drapery tracks, the Kirbé vertical drapery system, tensioned shades, pleated shades and Roman shades.
 
“Using something familiar, like Siri, to control a home’s lights and shades simplifies the concept of the connected home and makes it easier than ever for people to be in control of their space.” said Matt Swatsky, Lutron’s director of Product Management. “Simply saying ‘Hey Siri, turn on the lights’ or 'Siri, open the shades’ results in an experience which feels very natural and is completely integrated with your iOS device.  Also, people can set Serena shades to a desired level in scenes like ‘Good Morning’ or ‘Good Night’ with other HomeKit compatible accessories so that you can enable everyday experiences using Siri."

Lutron Electronics (www.lutron.com) has also announced several Caséta Wireless system enhancements: an expanded line of compatible thermostats, new controls for in-wall and in-ceiling lights, and new ways to integrate Caséta Wireless with other familiar, connected home products.

Lutron is giving Caséta Wireless users more options for controlling temperature. The new Lutron Wireless Thermostat powered by Honeywell provides temperature control from anywhere using the Lutron App. This, in addition to the Nest thermostat, HomeKit compatible thermostats such as Honeywell Lyric and ecobee 3, and select Wi-Fi thermostats from Honeywell and Carrier, offer homeowners a variety of familiar temperature controls at different price points.
 
Other additions to the Caséta Wireless family include new controls for in-wall and in-ceiling lights. A new 1000 watt dimmer works with incandescent and halogen bulbs (up to 1000 watts) as well as dimmable LEDs and CFLs (up to 250 watts).  Ideal for lights that don’t need to be dimmed, a new neutral switch controls up to six amps of in-wall and in-ceiling lights or 3.6 amps of ceiling fan loads.

Caséta Wireless kits and Lutron shading solutions are available now with suggested list prices starting at $80 and $349, respectively. Go to  CasetaWireless.com or SerenaShades.com for more information, and to find local resellers. The free Lutron App is available in the Apple App Store.