Do Dimmers Save Electricity?
By admin
Do dimmers really save on energy use? Many consumers, and even a few electricians, think that dimmers work by converting unused electricity to heat at the dimmer switch. It's true that many old rotary dimmers worked this way; they were rheostats that took the excess energy when dimmed and converted it to heat.

Today�s dimmers use a �Triac Switch�. When dimmed, these switches cut the flow of power to a light fixture up to 120 times a second. While the circuit is switched on and off many times a second, the human eye and brain don�t register this flickering. What we see is a constant light output.

Installing a dimmer is one of the easiest ways you can save energy. If you dim an incandescent or halogen bulb by 25 percent, you'll save 20 percent on the cost of electricity, and you'll extend the life of the bulb (it will last 6 years on average). Dim it more, and you'll save even more and bulbs will last even longer. So while you're saving energy, you're also reducing landfill waste, too.

Lutron Lighting Dimmers are a popular manufactruer of dimmers. Lutron lighting dimmers can be easily installed in both residential homes and commercial applications and their superb technical support is always available for most types of dimmer installations. Lutron dimmers provide dual benefits by saving electricity and dimming lights to soothing levels which go a long way in creating the right atmosphere.

Lutron was the first manufacturer to produce a solid-state light dimmer. This dimmer, first produced in 1961, was continuously improved upon as new breakthroughs in electronics were found. Lutron has changed the concept of light dimmers with their new technology creating dimmers that are more durable, energy efficient, attractive and inexpensive.

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Olivia has 2 years experience writing articles about gas and electricity. She also enjoys writing on various other subjects