Dimmers - what goes with what?

[janeyjane]

Hi. Buying light fittings was easy last time I had to do it (years ago). Now renovating and want all lights on dimmers. Electrician has wired first fix already. Now I need to choose the right light fittings/bulbs/types of dimmer switches.

I'll have a mixture of recessed spots, wall lights and a few pendants throughout the house.

Could you tell me, can you generally put any type of bulb in any light fitting - ie halogen, CFL and LED (to the max wattage advised)? Or do different light fittings only work with specific types of bulbs?

Also, are all light fittings dimmable providing you put dimmable bulbs in with a compatible type of dimmer switch?

I prefer halogen bulbs (for the colour) and will sacrifice the energy cost savings to get this. Are all halogen's dimmable or do you have to buy 'dimmable halogens'? Which is the correct type of dimmer switch for halogens? Are both trailing-edge and leading-edge dimmer switches suitable?

How about CFLs - if you buy dimmable CFLs, should you buy trailing or leading edge dimmer switches?

And LEDs - if you buy dimmable LEDs, should you buy trailing or leading edge dimmer switches?

And finally if you are running a mixture of LED and/or CFL and/or Halogen bulbs in multiple fittings off one dimmer switch, which dimmer switch should you use.

Thanks so much - this is driving me mad!

 

[DPG]

I would still go for LEDs but go for a warmer colour temperature. There are some that are very close to halogen in colour.

 

[janeyjane]

I would still go for LEDs but go for a warmer colour temperature. There are some that are very close to halogen in colour.

why would you do that?

 

[DPG]

why would you do that?

Huge reduction in consumption and heat.

 

[telectrix]

you can't mix LEDs and halogens on a dimmable circuit. the dimmers are different for each. and anyone that uses cfl lamps needs a session with a shrink.

 

[littlespark]

Halogens and other filament lamps are classed as “warm white” temperature.
You can get LEDs the same, but sometimes it’s better to go with “daylight white” maybe in bathrooms

I’d also say the heat aspect of a halogen compared with LED is important. They can damage the plasterboard over time. Dries it out so it’s crumbly

 

[pirate]

Do you really need dimmable?
How often will you use the dim function?
I fitted plenty in my last house, and found i hardly ever dimmed them.
It's a fad, trust me!