Today lights are not
just used to brighten a dark room and help you see
clearly in the dark. By adjusting lights we can meet
the lighting specifications and requirements of the
different people in the house. Lights can be adjusted
according to the lighting needs of the task being
performed. Lights can be adjusted by using dimmers.
Dimmers increase the life of incandescent lamps as
well. By making small alterations in the lighting
system, you can manipulate the lights, to set the mood
in the room. This can highlight the décor of the room
as well. Dimmers are easy to install and can be fixed
into the existing system or into a new system. There
are different types of dimmers are available in the
market:
While using integrated dimming systems, the
owner can make a series of pre decided lighting settings for
each room. As and when required, the owner can evoke any of
the pre-decided settings, at the touch of a button on the wall
box or on a remote control.
Touch dimmers change lighting at the touch of
a button. At the touch of a button the owner can return to the
previous light setting. Dimmers may even have a lighted
indicator to show the strength of the present setting.
Slide dimmers use manual control to set the
lighting in a room. In these too at the touch of a button the
owner can return to the earlier light setting.
Rotary dimmers have manual dials that can be
altered by turning the dial, to change the light setting. Some
have a button control, which allows the owner to turn off the
lights while, retaining the present setting.
Fluorescent lights can be dimmed, but they will
not have the same effect as incandescent bulbs. It is cheaper
and more suitable to use dim fluorescent lighting around the
house. To alter fluorescent lighting you need specific fixtures
and compatible dimming systems. Altering fluorescent lighting is
more expensive that controlling normal lighting. It is most
economical to install a custom system to control lighting
throughout the house. It is possible to insert a house lighting
system into an existing house. The cost of a lighting control
system depends on how technologically advanced it is.
The way a dimmer works is fairly simple. A dimmer controls the
amount of electricity that reaches the light. Lower the amount
of electricity used lower the electricity bill. Dimming lights
also increases the life of incandescent bulbs but not of
fluorescent bulbs. Illumination can dictate the kind of activity
that takes place in a room. Brightly lit rooms are for activity
and dimly lit rooms are for relaxing. Using the right kind of
lighting can enhance a room's décor. Using dimmers will no
doubt reduce your electricity bill. Here are a few more tips to
save electricity:
Turn off lights when not in use.
For outdoor lighting try using timers so that
they turn on and off automatically. You could use
photoelectric cells for lighting.
Use reflectors bulbs for work related
lighting.
Use fluorescent bulbs wherever possible as,
they use less electricity than incandescent bulbs, to produce
the same amount of light.
