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Kensington Home Technology has been featured in The Sunday Times, as their Tech Consultant under the banner 'Ask the Experts':

I have just moved into a recently refurbished house. The living room has 30 downlighters controlled by two light switches. This means that with one switch turned on, the room is bright, and with both on it is like an operating theatre. An electrician told me that the load exceeded the dimmer’s capacity, and I would be looking at a partial rewire. Is there anything I can do short of this?

CM, Barnes

For this number of light fittings it sounds like a lighting control system would be your best bet. A wireless solution is probably the way ahead. Rako (0870 043 3905, www.rakocontrols.com) makes a system that is straightforward to retrofit.

The other advantage of Rako is that you can include table lamps that plug into the mains as well. This will allow you to create mood lighting for the evening at the touch of a button.

The cost of a Rako system works out at about £115 per controller and £100 per lighting circuit, plus installation and programming.

The company will recommend its accredited dealers, or visit www.cedia.co.uk to find a company in your area that specialises in lighting control. For best results, it is worth talking to a lighting designer; try John Cullen Lighting (020 7371 5400, www.johncullenlighting.co.uk)

Malcolm Stewart is co-founder of Kensington Home Technology, a custom installation company

e-mail your questions to propertyexperts@sunday-times.co.uk