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Post by MichyM on Apr 8, 2018 0:57:06 GMT
I'm getting ready to switch out the beige light switches and electrical outlets in my place (I've been here 8 months, it's past time) for white. I've always just had regular switches, and that same type but for dimmers in the lights that had them. Before I go out and purchase a bazillion of these things, I thought I'd see if anyone has a favorite light switch? And if so, can you hook a girl up? Meanwhile...I'm off to do some googling to see and try to keep out of falling into a deep, dark light switch hole  |
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AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,502 
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Post by AmandaA on Apr 8, 2018 1:03:13 GMT
I like these dimmers, but that might be the kind you already have. We also have a few of this style, but we have had trouble with that rocker style switch breaking where it is fixed in the center if that makes sense. But I also have small kids who aren't so gentle with them either which might explain the broken ones... but a PITA nonetheless. |
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Post by MichyM on Apr 8, 2018 1:21:57 GMT
Yes, the first style is what I've had in the past - no lights are currently on a dimmer here, but I plan on switching some of them. The second one, the rocker, is a style that I've wondered about. It's just me, so I don't really worry about being too rough on them, but boy....the price difference between the two styles is substantial!
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,708
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Apr 8, 2018 1:28:49 GMT
I love having dimmers especially in bedrooms. Our switches are just slides. Not switch plus slide. I don't like the tiny slide on the side.
If you have walk in closets or pantry consider sensor switches. We love them in those spaces. And also added one to our garage.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 19:28:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2018 1:42:34 GMT
Some dimmer switches don't work well with LED bulbs so read the reviews first. The better ones aren't cheap, but saves you from having to replace a cheap one due to buzzing noises or flickering. We have a variety of dimmer styles and the one I dislike the most is this Dimmer. I find myself tapping it several times to get it to turn off vs dim. The other ones are similar to the previous two posted and the location as well as number of switches on the same plate dictate which one we go with. |
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,708
Location: So Cal
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Post by caangel on Apr 8, 2018 1:52:39 GMT
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Apr 8, 2018 2:10:01 GMT
We have switched out all the light switches for Lutron rocker switches, some with dimmers and some plain. They are from the Diva line, which I believe you can buy at Lowe's. It's been 6 years of use for the majority of them and we haven't had a bit of problems with any of them. I much prefer the rocker style to the old switches we had. Easier to turn on/off and the dimmer slide works great. It stays in the spot you leave it with no slipping.
Forgot to add, all of our lights are recessed and LED. No issues with operating the LED bulbs.
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Post by FrozenPea on Apr 8, 2018 2:33:41 GMT
Love having dimmers in the house, especially in our bathrooms! No blinding light in the middle of the night.
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Post by MichyM on Apr 8, 2018 3:03:49 GMT
My last place had an abundance of dimmers (even the kitchen) so yes, I'm definitely going to add quite a few. I didn't realize until I started looking that LED bulbs were an issue with dimmers, so thanks for the heads up.
Speaking of which, has anyone found the perfect bulb temperature for ceiling lights? I have some that feel awfully cool, and some that feel awfully warm. I'm like little red riding hood, I need one that is JUST RIGHT.
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Peal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,524
Jun 25, 2014 22:45:40 GMT
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Post by Peal on Apr 8, 2018 4:56:35 GMT
We are also in the process of replacing switches and outlets from beige to white. All the switches are going to be rocker switches. The only dimmers we will put in will be for the two gas fireplaces since they already are on dimmers. However, I do like the idea of dimmers in the bathroom, so I might do that.
Our rewiring job is huge because they guy who built the house just loved electricity, there are so so many outlets, and the number of 3 and 4 way switches is insane. We had 5 switches controlling the light in the entryway. Just today we whittled it down to just two. Today's project was replacing one switch to a rocker, removing 6 switches outright, and changing one four-way to a three-way. One box had 3 circuts wired to it. And since nothing has been labeled in the circuit box it's been a series of guess and switch in getting the ones turned off we need to work on.
Sorry for the highjack. I just had to get it out, it's been such a project. And we are only half way done.
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Post by MZF on Apr 8, 2018 13:32:01 GMT
We have the 2nd style posted in the 2nd post above. DH installed them in 2005 and have never had any issues with any of them.
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Post by Carey Pierce on Apr 8, 2018 14:36:16 GMT
I just put in sensor switches in the pantry, laundry room and master closet! Best idea ever!!! My hubby got them at Lowes.
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Post by Carey Pierce on Apr 8, 2018 14:37:18 GMT
I love having dimmers especially in bedrooms. Our switches are just slides. Not switch plus slide. I don't like the tiny slide on the side. If you have walk in closets or pantry consider sensor switches. We love them in those spaces. And also added one to our garage. Aren't the sensor switches the best! So glad we added them! |
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Post by MichyM on Apr 8, 2018 14:41:29 GMT
Ok, y'all have talked me into some sensor switches too My poor handyman..... |
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Post by MichyM on Apr 8, 2018 14:45:42 GMT
Also, speaking of sensor switches, I put these in 2 small closets that I didn't want to spend the money to have a wired light added. They work great and are plenty bright! I've only had to replace the batteries in one of them once so far, and I've lived in my place for 8 months Light for small closet |
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Post by Delta Dawn on Apr 9, 2018 3:16:24 GMT
I have a nice dimmer switch in the basement to make for mood lighting. It's the same as the rest of the house but it dims. I love it. The rest of the house we just have boring white ones.
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Post by Linda on Apr 9, 2018 12:10:15 GMT
I like rocker switches - I have arthritis in my hands and find them easier
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Post by shamrock on Apr 9, 2018 13:10:28 GMT
If you are also replacing outlets, I recommend putting in some with USB outlets. All our bedrooms have an outlet with usb. It is great for charging devices! You have 2 regular outlets plus 2 USB. I wish we would have put more in!
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Post by dewryce on Apr 9, 2018 18:07:12 GMT
If you are also replacing outlets, I recommend putting in some with USB outlets. All our bedrooms have an outlet with usb. It is great for charging devices! You have 2 regular outlets plus 2 USB. I wish we would have put more in! This is what I was coming to suggest. Also, if you're having a handyman do it can he connect some outlets to light switches? We have one in our living room that controls our lamps that I love to use instead of turning the lamp itself on and off. Because it is already built he may not be able to make the wiring work, depends on your set up. We want to add one in our bedroom. It's on the second story with a roof above so I think he will have good access. Some day. And have a look at the different outlets available. They make some for child safety that actually look pretty sleek because the holes are covered when not in use. And for hallways and stairs there are outlets that have tiny dim lights beam out the bottom when it is dark. Perfect for getting around in the middle of the night. |
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Post by beaglemom on Apr 9, 2018 21:27:59 GMT
I would need to look up what they are called but dh is in the process of replacing all the switches in our new house. They are awesome, they can be controlled via a button on the switch, with google home, or via the app. I love that I can be sitting in bed and say " okay Google turn off the master lights," and they turn off. Or that I can ask Google to turn on the kitchen lights when I'm coming in from the garage with my hands full. Dh also set up times for the outside lights to turn on and off and they are also controlled from Google and the app, which is nice because the only switches are in the garage for some of them.
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Post by beaglemom on Apr 9, 2018 21:28:55 GMT
They are also dimmable, so you can ask Google to turn them on to 50% or 10% or 100%. So nice!!
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,263
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on Apr 9, 2018 22:38:39 GMT
We have the Lutron ones in the first link above. We have everything that can be dimmed on dimmer switches. These are nice because we can set it to what we usually want and leave it there so when you switch it on it goes to the preferred setting. But they are easy to adjust when you want to.
We also have white all through the house. When we were building we knew we wanted white, and since other accents were white, we thought our builder and electrician knew. And we didn't realize when that work would start. So an apprentice spent a whole day starting to wire outlets in - and then when I went to look after work, realized they were all beige. (The default beige looked terrible with our paint.) We had to call the builder and tell him we wanted white and the work had to be redone.
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