The dimmer switches in our new home get hot. Does that mean that they are the kind that use the same amount of energy even when the lights are turned low?
I’ve heard that there are now dimmer switches that use only as much energy as the light setting requires–but I haven’t been able to find any. Can you suggest some brands/models to give me more to search on?
Thanks,
Janet
Replies
All modern dimmers of the size and type that would be used in a home are of the same basic type. They chop the AC power on each cycle.
Whenever they are conducting there is a fixed voltage drop across them. IIRC it is 1.2 volts. That times the the current is the power lost in the dimmer.
The brighter the setting the for the light the higher the average current and the higher than power loss, but it is still a very, very small amount.
As you dim the lights then the average current level goes down and the total power used goes down.
There is no such thing as a different brand that uses less energy than any other one.
However, there is one model that has an adjustable stop that keeps the light from going full brightness. And thus is does reduce energy usage and is advertised as an "Energy Saver".
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Sorry, I don't understand electricity. Are you saying that the existing dimmers do not need to be replaced?Janet
"Sorry, I don't understand electricity. Are you saying that the existing dimmers do not need to be replaced?"Yes..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
passing through here and will give my two cents but would appreciate previous poster MrHartman who knows much more electrical than I'll ever know to respond to my proffer seems to me we should be talking about what it is you are dimming
are you dimming seven recessed cans at 60 watts / bulb?
that's 420 watts and you probably have a dimmer for 600 watts
my "lawn boy" approach would be to acquire a dimmer of 1000 watt capacity and change dimmersthis is assuming all connections are good w/ present equipmentif those w/ more knowledge than i check in and lead you in this direction a little warning
this happened to me in last year and I stopped in, called no less than six big electrical supply houses and not one had the 1000 watt dimmer in stock and the least I would have paid would have been $ 78 ( I'm licensed general but not electrician )turned out Home Depot had many and was about $ 34reviewing post there is a chance this was 3 way dimmer but story doesn't change