Lighting Control allows each individual circuit of lighting to be controlled independently, allowing multiple “scenes” to be set in a room or area. These can be selected from a single wall plate rather than the large, ugly bank of dimmers used in a conventional system, which all have to be switched on/off and dimmed manually. Each button can control multiple lighting circuits, and even other devices such as blinds and curtains, around the home. The lighting system can also be operated
by remote control and even programmed so "events" happen automatically.
There are numerous advantages over conventional “all on” or “all off” light switches.
Easy
- One button press can make multiple things happen.
- Changing to a “reading” scene could light up a lamp over your favourite armchair whilst gently dimming all the other lights in a room to a soft background glow.
- When preparing to watch a film, pressing the “movie” button could gently dim the lights down to
- nothing over a couple of minutes, just like at the cinema, allowing you to take your seat and get
- comfortable.
Energy efficient
- Perhaps surprisingly, a controlled system will use less power. Most circuits will usually be set at less than the 100% of a conventional on/off system, saving power without you even realising they’re on a lower setting. A light set at 90% uses 10% less electricity and doubles lamp life. Your eye compensates for the slight drop in light output so it actually looks as bright.
- In addition to saving energy on your lighting costs, commercial premises benefit from savings elsewhere. Lamps that run on full power run hot. Air conditioning works harder and costs more to compensate for this. A dimmed and therefore cooler running lamp thereby reduces the power consumption of an air conditioning system.
- Setting scenes means that only the circuits that are currently required are being used.
Security
- Switch multiple lights on around your home from a single button by the front door when leaving so it looks as though someone’s at home
- Holiday mode repeats your lighting use over the last 14 days with some randomisation to simulate occupancy. A single light left on (that stays on all night), or all lights left off, is a sure sign of an empty house.
- Setting specific lights to come on at, or before, dusk is a very effective deterrent.
- An “all on/panic” button in the bedroom can switch all lights in the house on full if an intruder is suspected.
- A control system can link to the fire or alarm system so that if they trigger your house lights can flash, alerting others.
Convenient
- Your lights can be operated from a remote control, as well as a wall plate, and can even be programmed to work automatically (see holiday mode and “on at dusk”above).
- Have multiple settings, or “scenes” in a room to match your activity. Reading a book, watching a film, entertaining friends and having a romantic evening all benefit from very different settings.
- Switch all lights off (or whichever ones you choose) from a single bedside switch
- Buttons can be programmed to control other devices such as opening/closing blinds and curtains. For example you might have an “evening setting” that with a single button push switches on table lamps and draws the curtains in the Lounge, lights up the Hall and Landing, lowers the blinds at the front of the house and switches on the Garden lights.
- Automate your driveway lights to come on at dusk to welcome you home.
- As well as saving money, extending lamp life means that the laborious changing of “bulbs” will be required less often.
- Dim external lights gently over 5 minutes when leaving so you can find your way to the car without having to leave lights permanently on.
- Have very low level lighting on in certain areas at night, perhaps allowing children to find their way safely to the loo
Beautiful
- Smooth, soothing changes between “scenes” as lights gently dim or brighten to their required settings.
- Each set of lights is dimmed to an appropriate level for the selected scene. The glare of lights at 100% brightness is rarely the most comfortable setting, but the only option in a conventional lighting system.
- Automate your external lights to come on at dusk and showcase your home.
Whilst some of the above benefits require a whole home system, lighting control can also work wonders when limited to just a few, or even one, area. In most homes, the rooms most likely to really showcase the benefits are Living Rooms, Dining Rooms, Master Bedrooms, Bathrooms and En-suites and of course Kitchens. The variety of potential light fittings and positions in Kitchens (in-ceiling downlights, under wall unit fittings, picture lights, over-table pendants, kick board and sculpted ceiling rope lights, spot lights, glazed cupboard downlights, etc) coupled with the multitude of shapes, surfaces and textures of worktops, floors, cupboards, appliances, windows, pictures, etc., offers almost endless possibilities for creating beautiful and practical effects.
Whilst lighting control is often installed when a house is being built or refurbished, the latest wireless technology means it can also be retrofitted so any home can benefit from it at any time.
