• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header left navigation
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Start Here
  • Money Pit Podcast
  • Leave a Review
The Money Pit house logo

The Money Pit

Home Improvement Tips & Podcasts

  • Media Kit
  • Affiliates
  • Ask a Question
  • Spaces
    • Outdoor Living
    • Kitchens
    • Bathrooms
    • Garages & Sheds
    • Basements & Crawlspaces
    • Home Exteriors
  • Reno/Repair
    • Air Conditioning
    • Windows
    • Floors
    • Roofs & Gutters
    • Insulation
    • Lighting & Wiring
  • Popular Topics
    • Storage & Organization
    • Painting & Decorating
    • Cleaning
    • Pests & Wildlife
    • Buying or Selling a Home
  • Features
    • Green Home
    • Pet Friendly
    • Kid Spaces
    • DIY
    • Quick Tips
  • Podcasts
    • The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast
    • Money Pit Minute Podcast
    • Your Calls, Our Answers Podcast
    • Top Products Podcast
    • ProFiles Podcast
Man painting a white kitchen

Dimmer Switch: How to Install

Dimmer Switch: How to Install

Lighting & WiringVideosDIY
FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmail
by Tom Kraeutler Leave a Comment

Summary: Learn how to install a dimmer switch. Find out how to replace your old switchplate with a dimmer switch safely.

TOM: The easiest way to change the look and the feel of the home without spending a lot of money is simply by replacing the old fashioned light switch with a dimmer. Now, dimmers have come a long way since the old rotary ones of years past. Replacing the dimmer in your house is actually easier than you think. I’m going to show you how to do just that.

The first thing to remember, though, is to turn off the electricity. With the power safely turned off, the next step is to remove the old toggle light switch, but once the switch is out of the wall, you’ll notice that the black wires are basically connected to two screws on the side of it. These are the wires that have to be reconnected to the dimmer.

There you have it, the switch is out. We are left with two black wires and one ground. We are going to hook these up, wire for wire, with the new dimmer, but this device is going to give us a lot more control than the old switch did.

Here is the new device. You’ll notice again, two black wires and one ground. All you have to do is go wire for wire, and we’ll be in business in no time.

Now, the last thing to do is to fold these wires up neatly and push them back into the outlet, because you want to be able to get the new dimmer aligned exactly where you want it to go. That’s all there is to it.

Now, we need to turn the power back on, put the faceplate on, and guess what? We are back in business. Now, we have a dimmer. What’s cool about the new solid-state technology dimmers is that you can actually adjust the level simply by using the rocker arm and when you push the button, the light will fade on and fade off.

Lighting & WiringVideosDIY

Related Posts

How To Install A Dimmer Switch

The Money Pit Tips & Tricks text logo with lightbulb

How To Install A Three-Way Switch| Video

How To Install A Single Pole Switch | Video

occupancy sensor switch

Lutron Dimmers and Sensors Meet All Your Lighting Control Needs

How to Install a Chandelier

Leviton’s Decora Digital Dimmer is Easy to Program and Use

Related Podcasts

install lamp dimmer switch

How to Install Lamp Dimmer Switch

The Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast Logo

Three-Way Switches Not Working Properly

The Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast Logo

Why Aren’t My Multiway Light Switches Working?

The Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast Logo

Switches that Don’t Control Anything

The Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast Logo

Dimmer that Works with LED Lights

The Money Pit Your Calls Our Answers Podcast Logo

How to Install Photoelectric Lighting

FacebookTweetPinLinkedInEmail

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Trending Posts

Get Ready for the Game with The Money Pit’s $1,000 Tailgate Treasures Sweepstakes!

Attic flooring added to increase storage space

How to Floor Your Attic for Storage Without Wrecking Your Roof

Best Garage Floor: Tiles, Mat or Paint?

Garage Heater Dyna-Glo 30,000 BTU Natural Gas Blue Flame Vent Free Wall Heater, White

Best Heaters for a Garage: Forced Air, Infrared or Portable?

Stock your DIY liquor dispenser!

How To Make A Liquor Dispenser | Video

Ask Us Anything

Ask A Question

Favorite Posts

Attic flooring added to increase storage space

How to Floor Your Attic for Storage Without Wrecking Your Roof

How to Get Rid of Thousand-Leggers Without Getting Grossed Out

Best Garage Floor: Tiles, Mat or Paint?

Get Ready for the Game with The Money Pit’s $1,000 Tailgate Treasures Sweepstakes!

Popular Podcasts

Repair Crumbling Cinder Block

Electric Meter

Service Entry Cable and Electric Meter: Who is responsible for repair?

dirt to use around house foundation

Type of Dirt to Use Around House Foundation

What Smells Like Burning Rubber in My Home?

Newsletter

Get weekly updates with the latest tips and tricks to save money in your home.

As Us Anything

Ask A Question

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • About
  • Media Kit
  • Partners
  • Posts
  • Endorsement Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy & Solution
  • Radio Stations

Copyright © 2001–2023 · The Money Pit · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme

Ask A Question