Dimmer Switch Savvy
With more time spent at home indoors these past few years, many of us have come to discover a new challenge in our home environment—light levels. While working at home (sometimes in a home office, sometimes at the kitchen table, even occasionally on the couch), I need lots of light. But when dinner time comes or while watching a movie with the family, I don’t need or want as much light. Fortunately, the solution is straightforward—install dimmer switches! At first glance, this obvious answer may seem ridiculously simple, but a closer look shows how this lighting control category has grown to include a multitude of options. There’s the traditional single-pole dimmer switch, the multi-way dimmer switch, dimmers made specifically for LED applications, table lamp dimmers, and even smart switches that are app friendly. You may have thought swapping out switches would be simple, but before you get started we’ve got some explaining to do!
Whether you need a single-pole dimmer or a 3-way dimmer will depend on how many locations you wish to control the fixture from. For example, if you want to add dimming to an overhead light in a bedroom, you’ll only need a single-pole dimmer. The switch is placed at the entrance to the room and can only be controlled from that location. If instead you want to control lighting in say a large theater room, you might consider a 3-way dimmer. A 3-way allows for an on/off switch in two locations (maybe the entrance of the room and the back of the room). Dimming is only available in one of the two switch installation locations, the other on/off switch turns on the light level set at the dimmer location. If you want to control the dimming from more than one location, you’ll need to install (or have installed) a multi-location dimmer switch.
A very important factor when installing dimmer controls is to determine what type of lightbulbs you are intending to dim. Not all dimmer switches are compatible with all types of bulbs. The technology to dim LED bulbs is specific. In fact, the LED bulbs used with dimmer switches are also specific. But not to worry—each of the LED light bulbs and fixtures at 1000Bulbs.com has a Dimmer Compatibility PDF hyperlinked under Brochures and Spec Sheets. Once you identify the compatible bulbs and controls, you’ll be happily adjusting the light levels throughout your home or office and wondering how you ever got by before!
Swapping out switches may seem like a doable DIY project, but you’ll need some basic electrical understanding to get this task completed safely. If you’re unsure about connections and wiring, especially for 3-way and multi-location options, do yourself a favor and consult a professional and licensed electrician.
If you’re still trying to define your dimming needs, feel free to reach out to one of our helpful specialists at 1000Bulbs.com by calling 1-800-624-4488 or use our convenient pop-up chat at the bottom right corner of our web pages.
