Many homeowners are familiar with dimmer switches, but lighting controls have come a long way beyond those simple devices in recent years.
In addition to the dimmers, there are also timers that can be plugged into an outlet to automatically operate your table reading lamps and photosensor attachments that can be screwed into those lamps to have the lights turn on when the sun goes down. While these devices are still effective, technology has advanced to provide further ease for controlling the lighting in your home.
Modern residential lighting controls have many benefits for both financial and visual reasons. Here’s an overview of how they can be advantageous for your home:
Upgrading the classics
To be clear, modern lighting controls aren’t going to operate your dishwasher or turn on your television. They essentially serve the same functions but in a more advanced way.
Much of their improvement is due to the widespread use of more energy efficient lighting. Traditional dimmer switches, for instance, are not compatible with newer bulbs. Yet, federal regulations regarding the manufacture of incandescent bulbs is gradually phasing out their production, and with more consumers turning to compact fluorescent and LED lighting, a compatible device was needed.
New systems can still be used for dimming and include timer and photosensing functions. However, they tend to be integrated into the home or work wirelessly rather than being tied to a single fixture or floor lamp. Many products incorporate all three functions and allow you to create separate profiles for certain lighting conditions. If, for example, you want all of the lights in your kitchen to turn on just before you get home from work at 5 p.m., you can program the controls to do so.
Similarly, you can create a separate profile if you want your lights to dim during the day or gradually become less bright around the time you go to bed.
Security benefits
Often, timers and photosensors serve for more than convenience. If you are out of town for a week, you might use these lighting controls to turn on your lights in the evening and deter burglars. Home lighting controls can even include motion sensors that can alert you if someone is in your home. If you were, for instance, to come home in the evening and your bedroom light is on but no one is supposed to be home, you can contact the necessary authorities prior to entering the residence.
The same can be true if you are home and you think someone may have entered your house during the night.
Wellness and energy benefits
Many home lighting control systems can be paired with automatic shades in your home. When the photosensors detect sunlight, the shades can pull up while the lights dim simultaneously.
In regard to your health, having this feature can help with regulating your circadian rhythm. Many people unknowingly suffer from circadian disruption because they’re not getting adequate amounts of sunlight. This can lead to serious physiological and mental conditions, including heart disease, mood disorders and weight gain. With automatic daylighting, you can ensure that you get some sunlight in your home each day without having to think about it.
Even though dimming isn’t a new benefit of contemporary lighting controls, it is still useful for ensuring you have the right light for every task. Some activities require less light than others, and, when working in a multipurpose space, having the ability to adjust the brightness of your lighting is a key advantage for your visual health.
Lighting controls can also help you save money on your energy costs. Rather than needing to manually turn your lights on and off depending on their usage, the controls can automatically activate them only when needed, lowering your electric bill.
