One of the best ways to save energy and improve the ambiance in your home is by installing a dimmer switch.
Check to make sure your dimmer switch is compatible with LED bulbs and make sure that your LED bulbs and fixtures are dimmable. Most LEDs are but if there is an issue you can get a flickering light or a buzzing sound which is not desirable.
Here’s Why You Should Install Dimmers
If you do the math, add up the wattages of the bulbs in all of your household lighting fixtures, divide by 75 and then multiply that number by eleven. Now take 25% – 35% of your result and you’ll have an estimate of the amount of oil (in gallons) you consume in one year, lighting your living space. Electrical power is the same.
This equation can be expressed via the following formula: { (total W / 75) x 11 } x variable % = :- (
Keep in mind that this does not account for the electrical consumption of the rest of your home electronics and appliances.
So, how can you make an effective impact on your use of a limited natural resource? The answer is simple. Install light dimmers! When your lights are controlled by a dimmer switch, they utilize less electricity when you have dimmed the lights. In the long term, this will reduce your consumption of oil and lower your electricity bill.
I assure you, changing out your antiquated light switch is a quick and easy task that most likely will not result with you getting electrocuted. Don’t worry, I’ve been shocked on a couple of occasions and it only hurts for a second. There’s no risk of permanent damage, I hope.
If you follow all of the steps below (especially step 1) I can guarantee you a clean, shock-free installation. A variety of light dimmers can be purchased at your local home center. They range in price from $9 – $90 or more. Be sure to read the instructions below before you buy one so that you make the right choice.
Turn Off Breaker
Locate and turn off the Fuse or Circuit Breaker that controls electricity to the light switch you are changing out. If the fuse or breaker is not labeled, you can locate the proper fuse/breaker by turning the light switch on and flipping each fuse/breaker off and then on again, one at a time.
When the light controlled by the switch you are replacing goes off, you have found the right one. Leave that fuse/breaker turned off and make sure the rest are turned on.
If you tripped a few breakers before locating the appropriate one, be sure to check if your alarm clock needs to be reprogrammed.
Pull Out the Old Switch
Remove the wall plate and pull the switch from wall. Unscrew the two small screws holding the cover plate to the wall and remove the plate. Next, remove the screws that hold the switch to the electrical box in the wall.
Gently pull the switch out of the box so that you have access to the terminals on the switch and the wires in the wall.
Determine Your Switch Type
This step is very important. You need to take note of how the switch you are removing is wired, in order to correctly install the new one. The wiring will be either a single pole configuration or a 3-way configuration.
A 3-way configuration is used when more than one switch is used to control the same light source. Even if your light source is controlled by a solitary switch (more common) you should still check the wiring configuration.
A single pole switch will have two insulated wires connected to two screws of the same color and should be replaced with a single pole dimmer.
A 3-way switch will have three insulated wires connected to three screws. One of these wires is connected to a screw of a different color or labeled COMMON. Label the wire in order to identify it when wiring the new switch. Replace with a 3-WAY dimmer.
Remove the Old Switch
Remove the wires from the switch in the wall. Simply unscrew the terminals and remove the wires.
Connect the New Dimmer Switch
Connect the green ground wire to the green wire in the wall box or to the grounding screw inside the box. Next, connect one of the black wires on the dimmer to either of the wires you removed from the switch.
Connect the other black wire on the dimmer to the remaining wire you removed from the switch. If you are installing a 3-way dimmer, attach the black dimmer wire to the wire you labeled, and attach the red wires as described above for the single pole installation.
Attach the Dimmer to the Wall
Attach dimmer to wall and install cover plate. Make sure that all the wires in the wall are taped and or covered with wire nuts (provided with dimmer).
If any wires are left exposed, it will likely cause a short. Carefully tuck the wires inside the box so there is room for the dimmer. Screw the dimmer to the wall box. After the dimmer is screwed in place, attach the cover plate.
Turn the Power Back On
Go back to your apartment’s electrical source and turn the breaker/fuse back on. If you don’t smell smoke, your new dimmer is ready for use!
Now that your home is equipped with light dimmers, cook a romantic dinner for your beloved, dim the lights, and explain to him or her all about your new commitment to reduce your consumption of our earth’s finite resources.
