subject: Installing Dimmer Switches at Home? Read This First [print this page] Installing Dimmer Switches at Home? Read This First
Installing dimmer switches in your home not only offers you more control in setting lighting levels but also helps you save energy as well. You can easily create a romantic setting in the living or dining room or even chase away the monsters in your child's closet by manipulating light levels. Dimmers can reduce your electricity bill, as well as extend the life of your light bulbs.
Why Do-It-Yourself is Not a Good Idea
Even if you are a savvy do-it-yourselfer in the home, electrical work is best left to the experts. Many home improvement stores sell dimmer switches and claim that you can easily install them yourself. However, no matter if you live in the northwest or someplace south like Atlanta, electrical contractors have the training and experience to deal with electrical matters safely and efficiently.
Do you know how to switch the power off for the circuit you are working on at the fuse box? Do you understand voltage and alternating currents? Are you confident in taking apart your current light switches and installing dimmer switches? Do you know how much insulation to strip off the wires and do you know how to properly connect them to the new switch? Do you have the right tools and materials to safely work with electricity? If you answered "no" to any of these questions, you definitely should not be conducting any type of electrical work in your home.
A professional electrical contractor in Atlanta or anywhere else in the United States has passed the rigorous examinations to earn their license, and is current on all electrical safety standards as outlined in the National Electrical Code (NEC). They can also think on their feet when presented with potential problems like faulty wiring. Can you do the same?
Additional Reasons to Hire a Professional
Did you know that the type of lights you have and their total wattage are two important things to consider when choosing the appropriate dimmer switch? The number of control switches also plays a role during dimmer switch installation. Compact fluorescent, LED, incandescent, fluorescent, and the low voltage track light bulbs are just a few types of light that can impact how your dimmer switch works.
The total wattage of the lights that will be controlled by the dimmer switch is important. Many do-it-yourselfers choose a dimmer switch that cannot handle the type of lights or total wattage which can create future problems such as buzzing sounds or even an electrical fire.
Hire a professional electrician for installing dimmer switches in your home. They can anticipate potential problems as well as troubleshoot existing ones, saving you time and money in the long run. The result is energy savings and the ability to control the lighting levels in your home.
