Dimmer switches are a popular addition to lighting schemes. These helpful switches can add adjustability, enhance ambience, and save you money on your utility bills. If you're not sure what a dimmer is, keep reading to learn more about this type of light switch and why you might want to install one.

What Is a Dimmer?

A dimmer is a type of light switch that allows you to adjust the brightness of the lightbulb. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, making them an easy upgrade for any home. Dimmers also come in a few different designs, ranging from ones where you manually adjust the brightness to other designs that feature smart controls.

Dimmers come with plenty of benefits, including energy bills savings, longer lightbulb lifespan, and the ability to change the mood of any room. Simply move the dimmer switch to change the lighting for any activity – from a lively game night to the season premiere of your favorite TV show.

There are even new dimmer designs that can be paired with smart home devices or smartphone apps so that you can adjust the lighting from anywhere in your home or on-the-go. These features can also help you create presets to match your preferred lighting or daily schedule.

These light switches are an excellent addition to any room. You can install them in any indoor or outdoor space. Dimmers are great for late-night snacking or midnight trips to the bathroom. They're also ideal for winding down before bed or reducing eye strain while watching a movie.

Types of Dimmer Switches

There are four types of dimmer switches to choose from: slide, rotary, touchscreen, and integrated. Though each type has the same basic function, there are added perks for some.

Slide: As one of the most popular dimmer designs, this type of dimmer switch features a small dial that manually slides up or down to adjust the brightness. The slide design varies from a small dial on the side of a single-pole light switch to a large dial for the dimmer.

Rotary: This type of dimmer switch has a round dial that you can twist left or right to change the brightness.

Touchscreen: These dimmers feature a touchscreen where you can choose to dim or brighten the room. Touchscreen dimmers might also have helpful features like presets for brightness or schedules.

Integrated: Integrated dimmer switches (also known as multi-dimmer dimming systems) have one panel that can control multiple lightbulbs. These systems often include a remote control so that you can access customizable lighting settings.

How Dimmer Switches Work

Dimmer switches use simple electrical mechanisms to divert electricity from the light circuit in order to dim the lightbulb.

Basic dimmer switches simply reduce the amount of electricity flowing through the circuit to dim the brightness of the lightbulb.

Modern dimmer switches use a different method of controlling the brightness. Instead of just reducing the amount of electricity, these dimmers turn on and shut off the light circuit rapidly to reduce the total amount of electricity.

Tip!

Need help installing a dimmer switch? Learn how to install a dimmer switch with our guide How to Install a Dimmer Switch.

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