LED Downlights and Dimmers Through Three Bedrooms in Hazel Dell
We updated three bedrooms and the upstairs hallway in a Hazel Dell home. Each bedroom got four LED downlights on a dimmer, we swapped, added and moved outlets, and we updated the panel for the changed circuits.
Rooms
Three bedrooms plus hallway
Lighting
Four LED downlights per room
Control
A dimmer in each space
Panel
Sorted for the altered circuits
Scope of Work
- Put four LED downlights in each of the three bedrooms
- Added two LED downlights in the upstairs hallway
- Put a dimmer in each bedroom and the hallway
- Swapped, added and moved outlets in all three rooms
- Updated the panel for the changed circuits
- Pulled the electrical permit and set up the inspection
Bedrooms in older houses were usually wired for a lamp and not much else: one switched outlet, a couple of plugs, and nothing on the ceiling. This home in the Hazel Dell area had three bedrooms like that. We updated all three and the upstairs hallway.
Four lights and a dimmer in each room
Each bedroom got four LED downlights on a dimmer. You really need both.
Four lights across a bedroom ceiling give you even light with no dark corners. The dimmer matters because bright overhead light is the last thing you want at eleven at night. With only one of them:
- Downlights without a dimmer are way too bright at night
- A dimmer without enough lights just gives you a darker version of the same uneven light
That’s why we put in LED downlights and dimmers together instead of adding the lights now and the dimmers later.
LED dimming isn’t like the old bulbs
LED lights don’t dim the way old bulbs did, and this is where a lot of retrofits go wrong. The dimmer has to be rated for LED and work with the driver in that light. If it doesn’t, you get flicker at the low end, a dead spot before the light comes on, or a buzz.
Matching the dimmer to the light up front costs nothing. Finding out after twelve lights are in the ceiling means a second trip. Our post on what LED lighting costs to run covers picking the lights.
Outlets go where the furniture goes
Most of the outlet work in these rooms was moving things around. We swapped some, added some, and moved a couple completely.
The moved ones make the biggest difference. An outlet behind the bed is an outlet you can’t use. We walked each room and put outlets where the furniture’s going to sit.
Updating the panel
Adding light circuits and changing old ones meant the panel needed work too. We pulled the permit and set up the inspection.
Some homeowners want to skip the permit on inside work. That’s the part that comes back up when you sell, when an inspector finds circuits that don’t match the panel labels and no record of the work.
Bedrooms in a Vancouver home still running on one switched outlet? Call 360-828-7143 or price out the room, and we’ll lay out the lights with you.
Real Reviews
What customers say about our lighting work
A great experience. Ryan came over, diagnosed the problem, and gave me two realistic solutions with honest pros and cons. When Chris and Roman came to do the work, they were fast, polite, and respectful, offering to take their shoes off and being very mindful of their language around my 3 y/o. They showed me how to adjust the settings on the new electrical fixtures and patiently answered my questions, and did a great job cleaning up. I will definitely be calling them for electrical work in the future. ///// Had Roman and Garrett out for another job, same great experience. They were quick, efficient, and respectful. They kept me informed on the progress. All together really happy with the company having worked with them twice!
The best electricians in town! We loved working with Roman and Chris. Their expertise in wiring, solving problems and installing of light fixtures was impressive! Both are very professional and work well with the homeowner ( us) and our dog who was always helping them out! We highly recommend Newman Electric!
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