Installing dimmers throughout your home makes it easy to create ambiance for any occasion, control lighting for specific tasks and save energy every time you dim. To enjoy the perfect dimming experience, start by making a successful bulb/dimmer match!

When shopping for bulbs, keep in mind LED bulbs are becoming the norm, having essentially replaced incandescent bulbs. Long-lasting LED bulbs are competitively priced and available in a broad range of “color” outputs – from industrial bright white to warm, comforting hues. Best of all, they come in “dimmable” models, which you’ll need if you are planning to use the bulb with a dimmer.

Why a dimmable LED? A dimmable model is engineered to work best during the dimming process because dimming LED bulbs is more complicated than dimming incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs create light using a filament, so they dim without hesitation.  LED bulbs create light using a semiconductor and although they can also be dimmed, the dynamics are different. This may cause glitches when dimming including:

• Noise – buzzing or humming sounds
• Flickering, strobing or flashing
• Pop ON, drop out or poor/limited dimming range
• Ghosting – light glows after being turned off

Solutions

LED bulb glitches can be easily resolved by adhering to a few basic guidelines.

• Use only LED bulbs labeled as “DIMMABLE”
• Be certain your dimmer is rated to dim LED bulbs (older models may not be)
• When purchasing a dimmer, seek out well-tested, quality products
• Check the instruction sheet that came with your dimmer to see if it has an adjustment switch to set the minimum light level.  Setting the minimum light level helps ensure smoother dimming if you encounter any of the glitches noted above.
• Use Leviton’s online LED Compatibility Selector Tool. It’s the fast and easy way to find the perfect LED bulb to pair with your Leviton dimmer for seamless dimming…every time!

Visit Leviton.com/led or watch our video below to learn more.