Lighting Control Systems aren't just for offices – you can use them to dim lights and programme lighting levels in your home too. These include one or more keypads or touch panels that can be set to switch on and off depending on time of day (eg. sunset or sunrise) and room occupancy (if you have motion detectors).

If you want great effects and maximum efficiency from your lighting, consider these tips:

Invest in dimming to save money and bulbs

If you dim a bulb by 50%, you can make 50% energy savings (it's as simple as that). You can also increase the life of the bulb. For example, if you dim a new generation halogen bulb by 5%-10% you can double its lifespan. So the more you dim the less often you have to buy new bulbs.

Try to create a number of scenes

There are many types of control systems – some very basic and some more complex – that let you programme scenes or moods to suit your needs. Whether you use individual dimmers or a lighting control system, try to create a number of scenes. These should be a composition of various circuits at various levels to suit your visual or living requirements.

Run halogens at 100% at least once a day when dimming

If you dim halogen lamps to low levels, make sure you run them up to 100% at least once a day for a few minutes. This helps maintain the halogen cycle by cleaning tungsten deposits from the inside of the quartz bulb back onto the filament.

Live in a space for at least a month before you programme a control system

You need to do this to establish your favourite scenes. With some systems these can either be programmed or engraved onto the switch plates. There are many types of dimming switch plates or interfaces (including rotary, slider, touch screen) plus a great number of styles and colours. It's worth talking to your electrician, lighting professional or home automation specialist to determine which one is best for you.

Use switching to increase the efficiency of your home’s lighting

Select the fittings you would like to be 'on' together then make sure the electrician wires these groups together on one circuit. By doing this you can switch separate 'groups' of lights on or off depending on the light you need. This gives you greater control and flexibility and saves energy. (Switch off lights or circuits which are not required or being used).

Try motion sensors on exterior fittings around the front of the house

This will ensure light switches on only as required (eg. when you come home or guests arrive). Motion detector sensors are also good for low-level hall lighting (eg. when people go to the bathroom in the middle of the night). These sensors work best with halogen light sources.