One of the great things about using LED light bulbs in your Scottsdale home is their compatibility with most third-party dimming controllers. Unlike compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), LEDs can be connected to a dimmer, which lets you control how bright or dim you want them to be.
If this is your first time to hear about dimming controllers, or if you want to know more about how exactly they work, below are 8 reasons that explain why you should install them at home.
1. Dimmers Help Your LEDs Save Even More Energy
Cranking down a dimmer not only lowers the brightness of your lighting setup, it also reduces the amount of electricity they consume, thereby reducing their energy consumption. Dimmers offer an alternative to switching off the lights, especially if you want a little ambient light in your Scottsdale home’s living spaces.
2. Dimmers Help Your LEDs Last Longer
The less power each of your LED bulbs have to use, the less stress they’re under, which in turn helps extend their already long lifespan. This means you get to reduce the number of times you have to replace your bulbs.
3. Dimmers are Good for the Environment
Dimmers allow you to control how much electricity your LED bulbs use, which means you’re using less electricity, which in turn means that you’re reducing your carbon footprint. And because they help your LEDs last longer, you’re also reducing the number of bulbs being tossed in the landfill every year.
4. Dimmers Make Your Lighting System More Flexible
While there are times when you want your spaces to be lit by a powerful light source, there are many instances when you want soft, gentle light. Dimmers give your home lighting systems more flexibility, allowing you to create a variety of light effects and settings—dim and soft for relaxed and romantic settings, or brighter environments for entertaining guests and activities that powerful illumination.
5. Dimmers are Cheap
Considering the benefits and features they add to your home lighting system, dimmers are pretty darn cheap. Of course, not all dimming controllers are the same, but a standard rotary-style or slide dimmer shouldn’t be more expensive than $10. For something a little fancier, expect to pay upwards of $25 to $35.
6. Dimmers Help Set Your Mood
You already know that dimmers allow you to create any kind of lighting setting you wish. But did you know they could also help improve your mood? Several studies already show that light can affect emotions. Tweaking your lighting brightness can help you become more energetic and productive. If you want to relax, dim the lights to create a sense of calm.
7. They’re Dead Simple to Install
You don’t have to be a master electrician to install a dimmer on your own. Simply cut the power to your breaker, unscrew your light switch, and replace it with a dimmer. The wiring configuration (ground, positive, and negative) of a dimming controller will look no different from a standard toggle switch. Just make sure your LEDs are actually compatible with controllers, as some lamps may require a proprietary device for them to dim safely.
8. Dimmers Add a Layer of Security to Your Home
Advanced dimming controllers connect your LEDs to the Internet, allowing you to control them anywhere in the world from your smartphone. This adds an extra layer of security to your home, especially when you and your family are away. You can easily program select LED bulbs in strategic areas of the house to generate specific levels of light, giving the illusion that someone’s home.
In light of these benefits, it’s easy to see why dimmers are quickly becoming a standard feature in many new homes. If you want to add more functionality and flexibility to your LEDs, consider installing them in your home.