If you’re looking for a way to cut back on your energy use from lighting, installing dimmer switches is an excellent solution. They can immediately affect and alter a room’s appearance (not to mention the mood) with ease. Learn about the benefits of dimmer switches, where to use them, and how to easily install them yourself.
Dimmers come in handy in almost any room.
In bathrooms, they can be used to prevent you from being blinded each morning when you turn on the light. They can make waking up easier and more pleasant by easing you into it. Home spa nights are taken to the next level with dimmer switches–you can achieve the ambience of candlelight without needing to light any, allowing you to relax and not worry about possible fire hazards.
Installing a dimmer light in your bedroom comes in handy for helping promote healthy sleep–by keeping the lights low, you prepare your body for bed even before you lay down. Since bright light is rarely needed in a bedroom, you can rely on your windows for the majority of your light during the day.
If you’re and early riser or a night owl, having a dimmer in the kitchen will benefit you. You’ll be able to prepare that first pot of coffee without blinding light, and can sneak a midnight snack without waking anyone else up with the kitchen’s brightness. Dimmers in the dining room are classic, as they create a lovely ambience for an evening gathering.
Types of Dimmer Switches
There is a wide selection of dimmers to choose from. To maximize the amount of energy you save, be sure to select dimmer models that are compatible with CFL and LED bulbs. These bulbs have long lifespans and are able to conserve the most energy. You’ll also want to make sure that the bulbs you buy are rated for use with a dimmer switch, as not all have the ability to dim.
The type of control style you use is just up to your personal preference. Rotary models have a knob that is turned to brighten or darken a room, and are the most common. Slides are horizontal and are moved up and down to change the light, while toggles are attached to the side of a regular light switch and are moved up and down. In higher-tech LED versions, the control may just need to be tapped to change the light setting.
Installation of Your Dimmer Switch
Installing dimmer switches is usually quite easy.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your dimmer switch. The instructions and warnings are specific to the kind of dimmer you bought and should always be reviewed first.
- Flip the breaker in your home’s fuse box that supplies electricity to the room where the outlet is that you’re installing your dimmer in. Remove the current switch cover and use a voltage detector to ensure that no power is running in the wires.
- Remove the wires from the current switch and secure them onto the new dimmer switch, being sure to follow all provided instructions.
- Push the wires back into the box, and screw the dimmer switch into the wall.
- Flip the breaker back on, then enjoy your newly-dimmable lights!
As always, if you’re unfamiliar or uncomfortable handling electrical wires, you should always call and hire a professional to do the work.
Promise Electric is one of Sarasota’s premier residential and commercial electrical services company.
