The wallbox dimmer is the basic building block of modern day lighting control. Lutron wallbox dimmers can be installed to replace standard light switches in every room of the house. This generates an immediate savings by placing total control of power regulation directly into the hands of the individual. This in turns allows the homeowner to immediately begin saving money on electric bills without having to replace every light in the home. This is important, because the energy conscious homeowner has only two choices really: retrofit the lights themselves with led or fluorescent fixtures now, or install wallbox dimmers and a lighting control system that will make incandescent lights less expensive to use and generate a return on investment that can be reinvested in new lighting fixtures when the new ban on incandescent lighting takes effect in 2010.
With the rising popularity of fluorescent lights as energy saving alternatives to incandescents, many people choose the easy path of simply replacing their light bulbs rather than first considering the benefits that wallbox or Lutron Radio Ra light dimmers can offer them as the first step toward a whole new level of light. ILD recommends that you reconsider this as an option before spending money on new bulbs. It is important to realize that a truly livable and enjoyable home environment depends very heavily on aesthetics. While it is true that one 13watt fluorescent bulb will give you the same amount of light as one 60-watt incandescent light, it is also true that standard fluorescent recessed lights will not work with dimmer switches or low voltage wallbox dimmer control units. The cause of this incompatibility lies within the design of a fluorescent bulb itself.
A fluorescent bulb is more energy efficient than an incandescent bulb because the flow of current that powers the bulb is regulate by a magnetic ballast. This ballast allows the light to do more with less energy, making it a very cost effective alternative to incandescent. Beyond cost benefits, however, fluorescent bulbs have some severe limitations from a number of viewpoints. As we have noted, standard ballast technology is incompatible with wallbox dimmers and therefore prohibits direct control of lighting levels. This is why fluorescent lights are used primarily in utility rooms and commercial buildings where aesthetics are irrelevant and a fixed level of functional light is all the facility needs. However, even in some commercial environments, fluorescent lights have their limitations. They are not appropriate for green retrofit options, and they offer little aesthetic to homeowners unless fitted with very expensive dimming ballasts and matching fluorescent dimmers to make them work in tandem with wallbox dimmers.
Fluorescent lights offer virtually no aesthetic to home lighting design unless fitted with a very expensive color correcting lamps. Again, such exorbitant expenses are better invested in a lighting control system and Lutron wallbox dimmers that can reduce your electricity bill now and still be compatible to any new lamps, fixtures, bulbs, or lighting control system software upgrades you invest in over the next two years.
Line voltage dimmers can make incandescent bulbs more energy efficient by performing a very similar function to that of fluorescent ballasts while preserving aesthetics, providing more option for lighting control and home automation, and giving the end user the ability to manually adjust the light to whatever levels he or she desires.
When the ban on incandescent lights goes into effect in 2010, all house lighting fixtures based on incandescent technology will have to be replaced with either LED and hybrid fluorescent equivalents. By then, hybrid technology will probably have evolved to a point that any Lutron wallbox dimmer can easily manipulate whatever type of light bulb retrofit you ultimately replace your incandescent lights with. However, the timing of multiple investments should always be considered, especially in a time of recession like we are currently facing. Wallbox dimmers installed now will save you money on power both now and in the future. Furthermore, they will increase the attractiveness of your home by making it possible to create a more warm, ambient, and entertaining environment for children, relatives, and friends. When you do replace your existing bulbs in the future, you will be adding them to a home that is already optimized for function, aesthetic, and control with a Lutron lighting control installation by experts.
Why not call a lighting control expert at ILD to discuss the cost saving benefits of a Lutron wallbox dimmer versus an arbitrary retrofit of all the lights in your house? Get the aesthetic right and the foundation laid for a whole new type and quality of lighting, and then let alternative technologies catch up with lighting design and control systems for a more robust, user friendly, and multi-dimensional lighting system come New Years Day of 2010.
Illuminations Lighting Design is a full service design build firm specializing in residential and commercial indoor lighting and outdoor lighting, electrical service and maintenance as well as home automation, home theaters, emergency generators, surge protection systems, phone systems and lighting control systems.
We are located in Houston Texas but provide lighting and design services in Austin TX, El Paso Texas, San Antonio TX, College Station Texas, Beaumont TX, Dallas Texas, Midland Tx and points beyond.
Feel free to contact us locally at 713-863-1133 or toll free at 800-863-1184. We look forward to assisting you.
Follow Us: