LEDs are now the dominant lighting choice across our nation, so much so that the US has phased out incandescent and CFL lighting options (for the most part). LEDs are highly energy efficient, last longer than their counterparts, and save a boatload on our electric bills. My husband loves the warm candlelight look and feel of a room (light temperature). So much so that he actually prefers the older incandescents because of their warming yellow glow that just sets the right ambiance of a room. It wasn’t until my brother-in-law installed some recessed lights for his in-law suite (by mistake) that were dim-to-warm technology…my husband couldn’t believe his eyes. He liked them so much that we swapped out our old recessed lights with the dim-to-warm type. Let’s explain what dim-to-warm technology is, the types of dim-to-warm lighting that you can purchase for your home, and who to call for certain dim-to-warm lighting installations.
Dim-To-Warm Recessed Lighting
What is Dim-to-Warm Technology?
Dim-to-warm lighting is exactly what it sounds like: when you put a dimmer switch on the lighting fixture/bulb, the color temperature of the lighting changes from 3000K to 1800K (3000k = bright daylight white and not dimmed at all, vs. 1800K = candlelight warm, all the way dim on a dimmer switch). In a nutshell, as you dim the light on a dimmer switch, it not only changes the intensity (brightness) of the light, but also the color temperature of the lighting (bright white to that “orangey, oh-so cozy” color you experience by a firelight similar to a regular incandescent bulb.)
*To note: most regular LED fixtures/bulbs have the warmest orange/yellow color at 2700K. This is why my husband preferred the incandescent lighting because it was way warmer than that (below 1800K). He is thrilled to find out that dim-to-warm technology can be dimmable to 1800K.
Types of Dim-To-Warm Lighting
Many different light fixtures and bulbs come in dim-to-warm:
- Dim-to-warm recessed lights
- Dim-to-warm LED strips (for under-cabinet lighting)
- Dim-to-warm LED light bulbs (for lamps, hanging light fixtures, etc.)
- Dim-to-warm LED puck lights (for under-cabinet, display lighting, deck and step lights)
Best Places for Dim-To-Warm Lighting
Dim-To-Warm Lighting for Residential Areas:
- Bedroom
- Family room
- Den
- Office
- Under your kitchen cabinets
- Playroom
- Basement
- ….really anywhere that you want to control the brightness and color temperature of light in a specific room/area.
Dim-To-Warm Lighting Technology for Commercial Spaces:
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Hospitality Industry
- Healthcare settings
- Retail
Benefits of Dim-To-Warm Lighting
- Creates a cozier atmosphere when the lighting temperature is below 2500K for ambiance lighting.
- Helps with nighttime for our eyes and brain to better get adjusted for sleep.
- Adjustable lighting temperatures to suit everyone in the household.
- Varying color temperatures for different household activities (reading, crafting, relaxing, watching TV, etc.)
Dim-To-Warm Recessed Lighting Installation
A professional like a licensed and insured electrician can help you with your new dim-to-warm recessed lighting. Contemplating new lighting for your family room, dining room, den area, playroom, bedroom, or basement? Choose dim-to-warm recessed lights for a variety of needs! KB Electric LLC is family-owned and operated and installs recessed lighting all across the Montgomery, Berks, Chester, Delaware, and Bucks County, PA. We are fully licensed and insured master electricians that you can trust for everything electrical. Call us today! (267) 467-3178