ᐅ Planning to Install a Dimmer – Still Relevant Today?

Hello,

we are currently working on the lighting design. We are considering installing a fixed dimmer for the living/dining room lighting.
The problem is that not all lights, especially "smart" capable ones, might be compatible with it.
Would it be better to use a traditional switch and leave the dimming control to the lamp itself?

What is your opinion?

I built for the second time at the age of 50 and want to still be able to operate the light switches when I get a bit unsteady in the future. From my extensive experience with my own and my parents-in-law’s homes, I assume there will come a time when I won’t be able to easily understand technical systems. In my opinion, a simple light switch is the easiest to manage for the longest time. Therefore, even with advanced technology, the simplest operation should always be possible.

And then every time you want to dim your living room light, you have to find your smartphone, unlock it, open the app, wait for the app to connect, and then hope no update interrupts you? I’m definitely into technology, but I either control my lights via the wall switch or directly with sensors. Being forced to use an app is not an option for me, so: light switches (whether simple, semi-smart, or smart).

untergasse43 schrieb:

Mandatory app use would not be an option for me, so:

... Alexa makes everything possible. Either with compatible bulbs or, for example, using Shellys. Of course, it depends on your preference.

If you use Alexa, quite a few things are possible. I am not a fan of it.

untergasse43 schrieb:

And every time you want to dim the light in your living room, you have to find your smartphone, unlock it, open the app, wait for the app to connect, and hope there’s no update interrupting you? I’m really into tech, but I either control my lamps via the wall switch or directly with sensors. Being forced to use an app is not an option for me, so: light switches (whether basic, semi-smart, or fully intelligent).

There are also lamps that you can dim without an app (for example, Philips SceneSwitch).

The real question is whether you should "block yourself" from potentially using "smart" lamps later on that are not compatible with a dimmer switch.