Dimmers
Dimmers not only serve to create ambiance in a room; they are also used to lower the light level to reduce the amount of energy provided to the lighting fixture they control. This provides an easy and effective way to save energy and extend the life of the bulb. As a general rule, the more you dim the more you save.
Compatibility Considerations
With the wide variety of bulbs now available on the market it is important to choose a dimmer wisely since not all dimmers are designed to control all classes of bulbs. Pairing dimmers with bulbs that are not compatible can result in lights flickering and fluttering, limited dimming range, slow start-up, and inconsistent illumination. To avoid these types of issues be sure to check the label on the dimmer you select for the specific bulb types it is compatible with and that you use only those bulbs in the fixture. For instance, incandescent only dimmers are not designed to control CFL and LED bulbs so performance may be compromised if you are using these bulbs. Universal Dimmers, on the other hand, are designed to control incandescent, dimmable CFL, dimmable LED, and halogen bulbs. It is also important to note that when purchasing energy efficient bulbs (LED/CFL) to use with a Universal Dimmer, be sure to look for the word DIMMABLE printed on the package or performance may be compromised.
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