I'm about 6 months ahead of you and on a similar path, so hopefully I can be of help. 1st of all, Radio Ra2 is NOT homekit compatible. The Caseta family is, but much to the consternation of Radio Ra2 users, the recently released hub has no Homekit (nor Alexa) integration. They do have pretty good apps, though, so if that's all you are looking for then you are good, but you won't be able to use voice controls. Lutron has yet to give a definitive answer as to when/if they will have Homekit integration for RadioRa2. The coursework is great - whether you go with RadioRa2 or not it is pretty informative for understanding smart lighting systems. No, you don't need any data wiring (aside from connecting the main repeater to a router). All of the keypads/switches/dimmers are connected on your normal lighting circuits, and communicate through radio waves. No, there is no different wiring for dimmers vs. switches. However different lighting loads require different types of switches/dimmers - you'll learn the difference during the course. After taking the course you'll be armed with the knowledge to map out your system. Think carefully about where you'd like keypads, and make sure the electrician wires a gang box for those as he does the house. I worked with my electrician to just have him install the dimmers/switches/keypads when he does the house so I don't have to go around replacing everything, plus he knocked a little off the price as the initial contract stated he would provide regular, non-smart switches. I laid everything out and will do the programming (house not finished yet). Feel free to fire away with more questions - happy to help if I can.

Hi everyone! Thank you! Jane, Oooooh, don't get me started on squirrels. I wish I could contract eagle hitmen to deal with them.... they've ruined many an orange with one bite, chewed up many succulent leaves, then spit out the leaf in disgust and do it again the next day. The bigger hoodlums are raccoons that decided the center of all my bromeliads have hidden treats. The carnage! Plant parts everywhere and, yes. Orchids and succulents thrown down to the ground. Haven't figured out how to deter these furry gangsters..... My trees....there are 3 trees sort of fighting for canopy space. A guava above the Mary Eliz B bench. A large Australian Umbrella tree that blocks the afternoon Western sun somewhat and a 20 year old Chinese Elm I am annoyed with. They have leafed out and the shelter in heat waves is appreciated, but, they all need taming. Saving pennies for arborist..... I enjoy seeing how simply growing spaces are organized, including yours'. Love how your phalie is happy in the tree! I used to have a few laelias growing on an apricot tree, now long gone. Ariel, how humid is your climate? Seems the orchids would be happy year round.

We are trying to work out our switch locations for our kitchen. There are very few walls available and it is a very large space with 4 main circuits. We will have one four gang switch on one entry to the kitchen from the DR/great room to control all 4 main circuits. On the opposite side of the kitchen (around 18 feet away from the first 4 gang switch) we would like another 4 gang to control the same circuits, but we really don't have a great spot for another 4 gang on this side. We would love to use a scene control here instead as we can accommodate a single gang. So, if the first 4 gang has the same four circuits as the ones we want to control with the scene control, and all switches in the first four gang are Lutron ones, and we have a main repeater (with plug and Cat 5/6) are we good to use a scene control on this end of the kitchen? Also, do we just put an empty plastic one gang inside the framed walls (rough in electrical stage) and tell the electricians to leave it alone? Or I guess we could have a hybrid switch that turns on the island light cicuit and and also has scenes to control the rest of the kitchen circuits. Carol

I've used them in some pretty high-end hospitality projects back in Manhattan. Lutron's one of those companies where you definitely get what you pay for. Just be prepared for install - I think they have certified installers or something along those lines (or maybe that's only for their control panels...). Again, worth it if you got it. Have fun, -f