It’s widely recognized that in today’s real estate market, fewer people are building new homes and starting major remodeling projects. Still, homeowners are looking for ways to create comfort and make better use of existing spaces. One strategy for accomplishing this goal is to make the space more versatile, especially if it’s a kitchen or bathroom. And an easy and affordable solution is to incorporate lighting controls, which not only expand a room’s versatility, but also enhance its ambiance and save energy, too.

When developing a room design, it is important to consider all of the possible uses that the client might have for the space, as well as the products within it. Just as consumers would never purchase a stereo with only one volume level, or an oven with only one temperature setting, asking a homeowner to settle for just on/off control of their lights makes little sense when there’s a world of control options available. By taking the time to learn the benefits of lighting control (including dimmers, timers and occupancy sensors), such as increased flexibility, enhanced aesthetics, added convenience and energy savings, designers can offer their clients simple, cost-efficient solutions that both enhance their design and help the environment.

Lighting controls have been available for residential applications since 1961, when the familiar rotary (round knob) dimmer hit the market. Since then, companies have been growing the category to include three basic types of lighting controls that are offered at multiple price points: full-featured single-light dimmers that dim a single light fixture (like a chandelier or table lamp); entire-room systems that operate multiple fixtures in a space using just one control panel; and total-home lighting control systems that control virtually every light source in a home from convenient remote keypads.

Currently, there is some debate and confusion surrounding new lighting sources and bulb types. However, it’s important to note that lighting controls and dimmers can be used with almost all of them—from incandescent, halogen and fluorescent to LEDs and compact fluorescents designed specifically to be dimmed—and all light sources use less energy when dimmed.

Lighting controls are changing the way people live and play by providing increased flexibility throughout a space. Whether a client is looking for easy solutions to upgrade a single room or they are in the process of building a residence from the ground up, the possibilities are endless.


KITCHEN USES

Take, for example, the heart of the home—the kitchen. Because the kitchen is used so frequently, it not only serves as a place to create great meals, but increasingly features great design. Lighting can be used to enhance the aesthetics of the space and make the room more comfortable and functional no matter the activity at hand. And adding a control system allows for both the brightness needed for tasks such as food preparation, as well as dimming for atmosphere.

For food prep, homeowners often seek enhanced lighting over the sink, countertops and island. For entertaining, creating ambiance and elegance are important and can be achieved by varying the light levels to set the mood for meals with family and friends. Custom cabinetry and high-end appliances are easily accented with the perfect light setting, and properly adjusted undercabinet lighting can bring out the detail in beautiful countertops.

Further customization can be achieved by creating different lighting zones in the kitchen. This can be done by placing different fixtures on different dimmers to layer light levels and thus accommodate a variety of activities. For example, undercabinet lighting can be bright for preparing dinner, while the table lighting can be adjusted to the appropriate level for another family member who is reading the evening newspaper.


BATHROOM ROUTINE

Lighting controls can have a significant effect in the kitchen, but their impact in the bathroom can be extraordinary in terms of safety, comfort, convenience, energy savings and mood setting. A dimmer, for example, can add comfort and value by offering light tailored to a specific task. Morning routines don’t have to begin in full bright lights, but rather in a soft glow to help the client ease into their day. Users can enter bathrooms in dimmed light in the morning and brighten it slowly as they get ready for work. Some more advanced control systems can even be set to illuminate a pathway from the bed to the bathroom as the alarm clock rings, eliminating fumbling for a light switch in the early morning.

In the midst of the morning routine, it is common to forget to turn off the bathroom lights. As an answer to this problem, occupancy sensors are becoming an increasingly popular option (in California, they are mandated by Title 24). Occupancy sensors allow for lights to be on when the room is being used and automatically turn them off after the room is vacated, eliminating the possibility that lights are inadvertently left on all day.

But bathrooms are not only designed to be functional spaces. The right control system can help transform them into spa-like environments, in which soft mood lighting can be used to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere for luxurious soaks in the tub after a long day at work. Dimmers that can be adjusted with remote controls are especially desirable in these circumstances. Dimming the lights in the bathroom during the night also makes for a welcomed built-in nightlight for all.

But your clients’ lighting control needs don’t end with electric light. An oft-overlooked source of light that can be easily controlled is the sun. Automated shade and drapery systems are the newest form of lighting control, serving as an extension of total home lighting control systems. A home’s total lighting environment can be transformed with the press of a single button that adjusts window treatments. Automated roller shades, roman shades and drapes are offered in a variety of colors and opacities so a designer is sure to find one that will meet their client’s needs and match the decor of any room.


BUDGET AND GREEN

Of course this sounds great in theory, but what do light controls mean in practice? Prices range from $8 for a single light dimmer to potentially thousands of dollars for a sophisticated, fully automated system—meaning incorporating light controls into a design plan is a possibility no matter the budget.

And light controls help the environment too. One of the fastest growing consumer interests relates to energy savings and the environment. Lighting consumes nearly 25 percent of the U.S. electricity budget, to the tune of $37 billion annually, and accounts for 18 percent of overall energy consumption in homes. It is for these reasons that lighting is emerging as a target for energy-efficiency efforts that can help reduce carbon emissions, protect the environment and save your clients money.

One of the easiest ways to save energy is to use light controls. The science behind a typical dimmer is relatively simple and has not changed dramatically since 1961. It works by flickering the electricity on and off so quickly that the eye doesn’t notice—120 times per second. When the light is off, no energy is being used. The longer it is off, the lower the light output. In other words, the more the light is dimmed, the greater the energy savings.

Existing lighting control technologies (some that have been around for nearly 50 years like the simple dimmer) can cut lighting costs by more than 70 percent while reducing environmental impact. Indeed, the humble dimmer switch on the wall of a home is truly an energy-saving device. The average single dimmer costs less than $20 and saves approximately $7.36 per year, meaning it pays for itself in about 26 months. And while more advanced systems—such as whole-home systems integrated with light sensors and automatically controlled window shades—obviously cost more, they all produce significant benefits.

More importantly, think about the cumulative impact of lighting controls: dimmers save enough energy each year to light 4.5 million homes for 12 months. And installing one dimmer in every U.S. home in place of a standard light switch would save $816 million in electricity annually and reduce CO2 by 4.3 billion pounds per year. That’s like taking 370,000 cars off the road.

With consumers increasingly focused on going green, why not offer them a solution that shrinks their carbon footprint and enhances their homes? Lighting controls can make more of a room’s design while using less of the home’s energy, benefiting designers and their clients, as well as aesthetics and, of course, the environment.


—Matt Donati is product marketing manager for Lutron Electronics.