Lutron HomeWorks
HomeWorks is Lutron’s flagship control system – it runs lighting, blinds, curtains and climate from a single platform and integrates with major smart home platforms. Below we review the current QSX generation, comparisons with other systems, and what it costs in the UK.
Lutron Diamond Dealer
Clearly Automated is one of only 10 UK Lutron Diamond Dealers – Lutron’s highest installer accreditation.
The system
What is Lutron HomeWorks?
HomeWorks is Lutron’s whole-home lighting and shading control platform. Lighting circuits run back to centralised panels rather than individual room dimmers, and the entire system is operated through wall keypads, the Lutron app, or integration with major smart home platforms.
HomeWorks sits above Lutron’s RA3 range and is designed for properties where lighting, blinds, curtains, climate and third-party systems all need to work as one.
Lighting & shading in our Lutron Excellence award-winning Lake District installation is controlled together from a single keypad as one of many custom scenes.
HomeWorks, HomeWorks QS, HomeWorks QSX — what’s the difference?
Ketra appears in a lot of HomeWorks material online, but it isn’t available for installation in the UK. Orluna is the equivalent route to dynamic, tunable architectural lighting on a HomeWorks system here.
See detailed comparison of HomeWorks QSX vs legacy systems →
Current generation
HomeWorks QSX
QSX is the current Lutron HomeWorks platform. It scales to 10,000 zones across up to 16 processors, connects wireless devices via Clear Connect, and uses Lutron’s LEAP protocol for encrypted integration with other systems.
For most UK homes the practical differences over the previous QS generation are:
- Homeowner self-service programming
- 8x processing power, 16x memory
- Phase-adaptive LED dimming (no flickering or buzzing)
- Shading depth (Natural Light Optimisation)
- Cloud backup and project-file recovery
- New generation keypad range
- Third-party integration
- Retrofit possible without new wiring
platform history
HomeWorks generations
Lutron has shipped four HomeWorks platforms since the 1990s. If you have an existing system, this is how to work out which one.
1993 – 2003
HomeWorks Interactive
discontinued
The original platform. Long out of production, parts availability is now very limited.
2003–2011
HomeWorks Illumination
discontinued
Pre-LED-era platform. Still found in properties from this period, typically alongside original seeTouch keypads.
2011–2021
HomeWorks QS
Legacy — support ending
Redesigned for LED dimming, with DALI, 0-10V and DMX support. Widely installed in the UK and the most common system we’re asked to upgrade.
2021 – present
HomeWorks QSX
current
The platform specified for all new installations, and the upgrade path from QS.
COMPARISON
HomeWorks generations compared
Specifications require client verification before publication.
| Interactive | Illumination | QS | QSX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2019 (US) 2021 (Europe) |
| Status | Obsolete — no parts | No longer supported | Supported, not developed | Current platform |
| LED dimming | No — leading-edge only | Yes — phase-adaptive | ||
| DALI / DMX | No | Yes | ||
| Integration protocol | RS-232 serial | Telnet | LEAP (IP-based) | |
| App control | None | Basic | Full, two-way | |
| Programming access | Installer on site | Up to 80% by homeowner | ||
| Cloud backup | None | Full | ||
| Remote diagnostics | No | Yes | ||
| Shading | Limited | Sivoia QED | Sivoia QS | Sivoia QS + Palladiom wire-free |
| Upgrade path to QSX | Full hardware replacement | Hardware + software | Software conversion | — |
INTEGRATIONS
Lutron HomeWorks integrations
QSX uses LEAP, an encrypted API that replaced the older Telnet protocol. In practice that means stable, fast two-way control between HomeWorks and the rest of the house.
| System | What the integration does | We install |
|---|---|---|
| Crestron | Lighting and blinds controlled from Crestron touch panels and keypads, with scenes shared across both systems. | Yes |
| Control4 | HomeWorks lighting scenes triggered from Control4 interfaces and automations. | Yes |
| Savant | Unified control of lighting, AV and climate through Savant. | Yes |
| Apple HomeKit | Siri voice control and Home app scenes. | Yes |
| Alexa / Google | Voice control of scenes, individual circuits and blinds. | Yes |
| Third-party blinds | Non-Lutron blinds and curtain tracks driven from Lutron keypads. | Yes |
POST-INSTALLATION
Living with a HomeWorks system
A HomeWorks system is a long-term fixture in a house. Most of the questions we get from owners aren’t about specification — they’re about what happens in year five.
Systems are programmed and commissioned using Lutron Designer software, which means changes need a trained dealer rather than a general electrician. Scene changes, added circuits and keypad re-engraving are all straightforward, but they do need someone with access.
Service agreements
Ongoing maintenance, firmware updates and priority response.
Changing dealer
We take on systems originally installed by others, including legacy QS.
Warranty
Lutron warranty terms and what’s covered.
ALTERNATIVES
HomeWorks compared to other systems
HomeWorks isn’t right for every project. This is an honest read on where it wins and where something else makes more sense.
| System | Best suited to | Third-party integration | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lutron HomeWorks | Large homes needing lighting, shading and third-party systems as one. | Extensive (LEAP) | £20,000–£300,000+ |
| Lutron RA3 | Smaller projects, extensions, Lutron-only installations. | None | £3,000–£20,000+ |
| Rako | UK-designed alternative, often retrofit-friendly. | Moderate | Typically below HomeWorks |
| Crestron | Whole-house AV and control led projects. | Extensive | Comparable, wider scope |
| KNX | Open-protocol installations, often specified by M&E consultants. | Extensive | Varies with integrator |
CONTROLS
Keypads and controls
The part of the system anyone actually touches. All ranges are available in a choice of finishes and can be engraved to your scene names.
palladiom
Minimal profile, matched metal finishes.
Alisse
Tactile, refined metals, engraved buttons.
seeTouch
The established HomeWorks keypad range.
Pico
Wireless, wall-mounted or free-standing.
Light fittings
Lighting and dynamic control
HomeWorks controls the lighting, but the quality of the result depends just as much on the fittings. Orluna’s UK-manufactured luminaires are designed to work natively with Lutron control, including dynamic colour temperature.
Lumaris linear fittings extend the same control to coves, joinery and architectural detail.
Can You Install Ketra Light Fittings in the UK?
Ketra appears in a lot of HomeWorks material online, but it isn’t available for installation in the UK. Orluna is the equivalent route to dynamic, tunable architectural lighting on a HomeWorks system here.
Light fittings
Blinds and curtains
HomeWorks controls Lutron’s blinds, curtain tracks and Palladiom shading from the same keypads as the lighting, with Intelligent Hembar Alignment keeping multiple blinds in unison. Third-party blinds can also be driven from the system.
Specification and commissioning
Why the installer matters more than the hardware
HomeWorks can only be programmed and commissioned by a factory-trained Lutron installer using Lutron Designer. The hardware is identical whoever supplies it — the difference between a good and a poor system is the design and the programming.
Clearly Automated is one of only ten Lutron Diamond Dealers in the UK for 2026, and has won two Lutron Excellence Awards.
BUDGET
How much does a Lutron HomeWorks system cost in the UK?
A Lutron HomeWorks system typically costs between £20,000 and £300,000+ ex-VAT in the UK. A full-home installation with third-party integration sits at around £50,000. The final cost depends on property size, number of lighting circuits, keypad finishes and how many other systems are integrated.
Published ranges below are based on real quotes. Every project differs, but these are honest starting points rather than saying “contact us for pricing”. (Though you can do that below!)
£20,000+
Single-floor or partial-home HomeWorks
£50,000+
Full-home QSX with shading integration
£300,000+
Multi-processor, multi-building
| Element | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HomeWorks QSX processor | £1,294 | Per unit. Large properties may need more than one. |
| DIN rail panels with RCBOs | £2,534.50 | Per panel. Houses the modules in the plant room. |
| Wire harnesses | £224.50 | Per unit. Internal looms connecting dimming modules. |
| Panel door kits | £536.75 | Per unit. Finished covers for the panels. |
| DIN rail power modules | £565–£685 | Per unit. Each controls up to four lighting circuits. |
| DALI interface | £976 | Per unit. Required for architectural DALI fittings. |
| Keypads | £150–£600+ | Per unit. Palladiom, Alisse or bespoke. |
| Lutron-specific cabling | Variable | £1,850 in our sample quote. Depends on run lengths. |
| Programming & setup | £4,000 | Scales with integration complexity and scene count. |
| Project management & handover | £1,000–£8,000+ | Depends on build scale and level of integration. |
Common questions
Lutron HomeWorks FAQ
Can I upgrade an older HomeWorks system to QSX?
In most cases yes, and often in stages rather than all at once. QS systems have a defined upgrade path. Illumination and Interactive systems generally need full replacement. Read our full guide to upgrading →
What’s the difference between HomeWorks QS and QSX?
Same platform, different generation. QSX adds faster processing, cloud connectivity and the LEAP integration protocol.
How many zones can a HomeWorks system handle?
Up to 10,000 zones across a maximum of 16 processors.
Does HomeWorks work with Crestron or Control4?
Yes. QSX integrates with both via LEAP. We’re a Crestron dealer as well as a Lutron Diamond Dealer.
Can I install HomeWorks myself?
No. HomeWorks must be programmed and commissioned by a factory-trained Lutron dealer using Lutron Designer software.
RESOURCES
HomeWorks brochures and guides
PDF format
HomeWorks brochure
System overview and capabilities.
Palladiom keypads
Full range and finish options.
Alisse keypads
Finishes and configurations.
Palladiom shading
Blind and curtain systems.
Orluna range
UK dynamic lighting fittings.
Integration guide
Third-party system integration.
Our work
HomeWorks installations
Recent projects across the UK, including two Lutron Excellence Award winners.
Considering HomeWorks for your home?
We’ll talk through what the system can do, what it’s likely to cost, and whether it’s the right choice — without pressure.
