Lighting Dimmer Controls
Dimmer controls provide variable indoor lighting for incandescent and fluorescent lamps. When you dim these lamps, it reduces their wattage and output, which helps save energy.
Off-the-shelf dimmers for incandescent fixtures are inexpensive and provide some energy savings when lights are used at a reduced level. Dimmers also increase the service life of incandescent lamps significantly. However, dimming incandescent lamps reduces their lumen output more than their wattage. This makes incandescent lamps less efficient as they are dimmed.
Dimming fluorescents requires special dimming ballasts and lamp holders, but does not reduce their efficiency. Fluorescent dimmers are dedicated fixtures and bulbs that provide even greater energy savings than a regular fluorescent lamp.
Learn More
Product Information
National Lighting Product Information Program
Lighting Research Center - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Related Links
Dimming Electronic Ballasts
Lighting Research Center
Dimming Systems for High-Intensity Discharge Lamps
Lighting Research Center
