A Quick Guide to Using Dimmers
The Many Uses of Dimmers; You can set the mood. Be romantic. Lower the lights for movie watching. Go bright and cook up a storm!
Whatever your mood is, lighting controls such as dimmers give you the flexibility to design a lighting plan with multiple uses and decorative effects. Plus, they’ll save you money!
Set the mood. Be romantic. Lower the lights for movie watching. Go bright and cook up a storm!
Whatever your mood is, lighting controls such as dimmers give you the flexibility to design a lighting plan with multiple uses and decorative effects. Plus, they’ll save you money!
Why Use Dimmers?
Dimmers make every room more versatile, more comfortable and more cost-effective.
Set the Mood
Create lighting for a dramatic effect or a softly romantic mood. Soft light sets the tone for a romantic dinner for two or a special holiday feast. Bright lights make everything easy to see as you work, cook or relax.
Flexibility
Change the light level in your rooms to suit any activity, from entertaining to watching movies on television, reading, working and dining.
Productivity
The wrong lighting can lead to eyestrain and fatigue. Adding dimmers allows you personal control of your lighting décor, making tasks such as working on hobbies or using the computer more productive and enjoyable.
Energy Savings
Dimming your lights an average of 50 percent will cut home electricity usage a whopping 40 percent over time. It will also make your bulbs last 20 times longer, saving you the hassle of frequent and sometimes expensive bulb replacement. In addition, dimmers eliminate the need for costly three-way bulbs.
Types Of Dimmer Controls
1. Touch dimmers allow you to vary the intensity of the lighting while depressing a button. These systems permit one-touch recall of the previous lighting level. Some are equipped with indicator lights that provide a continual readout of the lighting intensity.
2. Slide dimmers provide full-range, manual dimming control. Some are equipped with a touch-button that allows you to return to the previous lighting level. Others have an indicator light that glows in the dark for easy location.
3. Rotary dimmers provide full-range, manual dimming control. Some are equipped with a push-button operation that allows you to turn the light on and off and return to the previous lighting level.
4. Integrated or Multi-Set dimming systems allow you to create multiple preset lighting scenes within a room. Scenes can be recalled with the touch of a button from a single wall box or with hand held wireless remote controls. If you are interested in these systems, please contact us for more information.
Using Dimmers with Energy-Efficient LED and Fluorescent Lighting
With regular incandescent lighting, dimmers work by limiting the voltage to the bulb thereby causing the bulb to “dim.” New energy-efficient technologies like LEDs and fluorescents have special requirements however:
- For LED lighting, look for wall dimmers that are LED compatible.
- For CFL bulbs, look for a bulb that’s specifically designed to work with dimmer switches.
- Fluorescent tubes and bulbs (primarily for commercial settings) require a dimmable ballast.
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