Domakihub Install a Dimmer Switch Yourself and Save on Lighting Costs
A straightforward wiring guide for homes, rentals, and hotel rooms in Greece.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Replacing a standard light switch with a dimmer takes under an hour and immediately reduces electricity use while giving you full control over the mood in any room. The video above walks through the wiring visually; the steps below translate that process to the Greek context, where standard 230 V single-gang back-boxes and two-wire loop wiring are the norm. Whether you are upgrading a holiday apartment in Crete or a hotel corridor on Mykonos, this guide covers everything you need to do it safely.
Why Dimmer Switches Make Sense for Greek Properties
Greece's hot climate means lighting runs well into the evening on terraces and in open-plan living areas. Dimmers let guests and residents dial back brightness without turning lights off entirely, cutting consumption by up to 20–40 % compared with a switch left permanently on full power.
For short-term rentals and boutique hotels, adjustable lighting is also a strong hospitality signal. Guests associate smooth, warm light with quality, and a dimmer adds essentially no cost compared with smart-home systems.
What to Check Before You Buy a Dimmer
Not every dimmer works with every bulb. In Greece, most properties now have LED downlights, and LEDs require a dimmer that is explicitly rated for LED loads — look for 'LED compatible' or 'trailing-edge' on the packaging. The wattage printed on the dimmer (e.g. 40–400 W) must match or exceed the combined wattage of all bulbs on the circuit.
Greek back-boxes are typically 60 mm deep (EU standard). Most dimmers sold in Greek hardware stores (Leroy Merlin, Praktiker, Techniki Poli) fit this box. If you have an older property with 45 mm boxes, measure first or plan to chase a slightly deeper recess.
How to Install a Dimmer Switch: 5 Steps
- 1
Switch off the circuit breaker and confirm power is dead
Go to the distribution board (πίνακας ασφαλειών) and switch off the breaker for the lighting circuit you are working on. Return to the switch and use a non-contact voltage tester or a screwdriver-style indicator against each terminal. Do not proceed until the tester shows no live voltage. In Greek wiring the live (phase) conductor is typically brown or black; older installations may use red.
- 2
Remove the old switch and photograph the wiring
Unscrew the face-plate and ease the switch mechanism out of the back-box. Before disconnecting anything, take a clear photo of every wire and the terminal it sits in. Greek loop-at-switch wiring typically brings two, three, or four cores into the box depending on whether there is a two-way arrangement. Your photo is your recovery plan if you get confused later.
- 3
Disconnect the old switch and connect the dimmer
Loosen each terminal screw and pull the wires free. Most single-location dimmers have two terminals (L1 and L2, or COM and L1). Connect the live wire to the input terminal and the switched-live to the output terminal, following the dimmer's wiring diagram exactly. Some dimmers include a short earth/ground wire that must be connected to the earth terminal in the back-box even if the old switch did not use one.
- 4
Tuck the wires in, fit the dimmer, and restore power
Gently fold the wires into the back-box — avoid sharp bends near the terminals. Press the dimmer module into the box and tighten the mounting screws evenly so the face-plate sits flush. Refit any decorative plate, then go to the distribution board and switch the breaker back on.
- 5
Test the full range and calibrate if needed
Switch the dimmer on and slowly move the slider or rotary control from minimum to maximum. The light should rise and fall smoothly with no flickering at either end. If you see flicker at low settings, most dimmers have a small trim potentiometer (often a flat-blade slot on the side of the module) — turn it slightly clockwise to raise the minimum level until the flicker disappears. If flicker persists, the dimmer may not be compatible with your LED driver; try a different brand rated for your specific bulb type.
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FAQ
- Do I need an electrician to install a dimmer switch in Greece?
- Greek law (Presidential Decree 108/2013) requires a licensed electrician to sign off on new electrical installations, but replacing a like-for-like switch is generally treated as minor maintenance that homeowners may carry out themselves. For rental properties, check with your insurer; some policies require a qualified installer for any wiring work.
- Can I use a dimmer with LED bulbs?
- Yes, but only with a dimmer that carries an LED or trailing-edge rating. Check that the minimum load rating (often 5–10 W) is not higher than your total LED wattage, and that each bulb is itself labelled as dimmable — non-dimmable LEDs will buzz, flicker, or fail early when used with a dimmer.
- What if my dimmer switch buzzes or flickers after installation?
- Buzzing usually means a mismatch between the dimmer type and the LED driver in your bulbs. Try an LED-specific trailing-edge dimmer. Flickering at low levels is often fixed by adjusting the trim pot on the dimmer module. If problems persist, confirm the total wattage of your bulbs is within the dimmer's stated range, and replace any non-dimmable bulbs.