This is so awesome to read! Thanks a ton for the shout-out and for sharing your experience with our universal dimmer. It’s genuinely great to hear it’s hitting the mark for you and your low-level lighting needs. We put a lot of work into getting that smooth, flicker-free dimming just right, so it’s super rewarding to see feedback like this out in the wild. Really appreciate you spreading the word! If you ever need anything, just let us know.

Hi Too2d,

Cheers for sharing that brilliant story! It perfectly sums up why we believe in simple, physical controls.
We’re chuffed to bits that you love the look of the black panel and that the knob makes things so much easier for your family. Our goal is to make home control both simple and stylish, so it’s great to hear we’ve got it right for you.
Thanks again for the support! If you or anyone else has questions, we’re right here.

All the best,
The Repenic Team

Can you answer a few quick questions to help narrow it down?
1. How much are you willing to spend per switch? ￡20 – ￡80?
2. Do you like toggle switches, decora paddles, or buttons?
3. Are there any additional features you are interested in such as dimming, smart bulb mode, or pre-staging?
4. Do you have neutral wires in your electrical boxes?

Thanks for bringing up this topic, I’m sure many people considering dimmers have similar concerns!

Generally speaking, dimmers can indeed help save electricity, because they reduce the power output by lowering the voltage or current supplied to the bulb, thereby decreasing power consumption. However, exactly how much you save, and whether there are any counter-effects, depends on several factors.

Imagine turning down a tap – less water flows out. For a light, a dimmer is a bit like turning down that tap, reducing the electricity flowing to the bulb, so naturally, it saves power.

Standby Power Consumption: The standby power consumption you mentioned is certainly a valid point. Some lower-quality or poorly designed dimmers might have a certain amount of standby power draw, even when the lights are off or dimmed to their lowest setting. While typically not high, it can add up over time. Therefore, choosing a reputable brand with a good track record is a safer bet.

Dimmer and Bulb Compatibility: This point is absolutely crucial! Not all bulbs are dimmable, especially LED bulbs. If you use a non-dimmable LED bulb with a dimmer, it can lead to flickering, buzzing, or even damage the bulb or the dimmer itself. So, when purchasing, always make sure both the bulb and the dimmer are clearly marked as ‘Dimmable’.

Impact on Bulb Lifespan: Generally, appropriate dimming can extend the lifespan of bulbs, particularly for incandescent and halogen lamps, as it reduces their operating temperature. For LED lights, while some theories suggest dimming can also extend life, it’s more important to choose a compatible LED dimmer to avoid overheating or damage caused by incompatibility.

Dimmer Efficiency: Different types of dimmers also vary in their conversion efficiency. Modern electronic dimmers are typically more efficient than older resistive types (though resistive ones are rarely seen now).

If you only dim occasionally, or if the dimming range isn’t very significant, then the power saving might not be so noticeable. However, if you frequently dim your lights down quite low, then the electricity savings will be more pronounced.

Looking forward to hearing more discussions and shared experiences about dimmers!

Hi oafh1,

That’s a great question, and the answer actually varies quite a bit depending on the type of bulb you’re using!
Here’s a breakdown based on my understanding and experience:

1. Old-style Incandescent Bulbs:
Dimming extends their lifespan significantly. Incandescent bulbs work by heating a filament. When you dim them, you’re reducing the power flowing to the filament, which means it operates at a lower temperature. This greatly reduces the rate of evaporation of the tungsten filament, which is the primary cause of failure. It’s not uncommon for an incandescent bulb that’s consistently dimmed to last many times longer than its rated lifespan.

2. Halogen Bulbs:
Dimming generally extends their lifespan, but there’s a caveat. Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent bulb, so reducing the operating temperature through dimming still helps extend the filament’s life. However, halogen bulbs rely on a “halogen cycle” where evaporated tungsten atoms are redeposited back onto the filament. This cycle is temperature-dependent. If you dim a halogen bulb too much or for prolonged periods at very low levels, the halogen cycle might not complete effectively, which could lead to blackening of the bulb and eventually failure. For most practical dimming uses, though, you’ll still see an extended lifespan.

3. LED Bulbs:
This is where it gets more complex.
Dimming generally does not significantly shorten the lifespan of the LED emitter itself. LEDs typically fail due to degradation of the semiconductor material over time, which is related to heat and current. Dimming usually means less current and less heat, so the LED chip itself often benefits or is unaffected.
The lifespan impact often comes from the driver/electronics within the LED bulb. Modern LED bulbs have internal electronics (the “driver”) to convert AC household current to the DC current the LED needs.
Using the right dimmer is crucial. If you use a dimmer that’s not compatible with your LED bulb, it can cause flickering, humming, or stress the internal electronics, potentially shortening the bulb’s lifespan. LEDs typically require “leading edge” or “trailing edge” dimmers designed for them. Many older dimmers (designed for incandescents) can cause issues. Always check the bulb’s packaging or manufacturer’s recommendations for compatible dimmers.
Quality of the LED bulb matters. Cheaper LED bulbs might have lower quality drivers that are more susceptible to issues from dimming, even with a compatible dimmer. Higher quality bulbs generally have more robust drivers.
Overall: When properly dimmed with a compatible dimmer, LED bulbs are not typically shortened in lifespan, and in some cases, running them at lower power might even slightly extend the life of the LED emitter. The main concern is ensuring proper compatibility to protect the integrated electronics.

In summary:
Incandescent & Halogen: Dimming is good for lifespan.
LED: Dimming is generally neutral to slightly beneficial for the LED emitter, but dimmer compatibility is paramount to protect the bulb’s internal electronics and ensure proper function.

Hope this helps with your decision!