If you're running a small electrical contracting business or managing a single facility, the Hubbell 8110 dimmer switch is probably worth the premium—but only if you look at total cost of ownership, not just the unit price. I've compared eight different dimmer models across six years of procurement, and the 8110 consistently saved money in the long run despite costing 40-60% more upfront. Let me explain why.
I'm a procurement manager for a 45-person facilities management company. We handle about 180 electrical orders annually, and I've been tracking every invoice since 2019. Our cumulatives on dimmers alone hit $14,000 last year. And yeah, I'm the guy who built a TCO spreadsheet after getting burned by a 'cheap' switch that failed 14 months in.
The Short Answer: 8110 Wins on Total Cost
The Hubbell 8110 (a line-voltage dimmer designed for LED and incandescent loads up to 600W) comes in around $28-35 per unit from authorized distributors. A 'no-name' equivalent runs $12-18. Here's where the math flips:
- Installation time: 8110's screw-terminal design (meaning no wire nuts for the load connections) saves about 4 minutes per install. At $75/hr labor, that's $5 saved per switch.
- Failure rate: Over four years, our cheap switches failed at 18% rate vs. 2% for the 8110. Each failure costs $35 in labor to replace.
- Warranty replacements: Hubbell covers defects for 2 years—free replacement, no questions asked. Cheap ones? You're betting on a seller who may disappear.
Crunching those numbers: Total cost per 8110 over a 5-year life is roughly $32 (unit) + $0 (average labor savings offset initial price) + $1.5 (expected failure cost) = $33.50. The cheap switch: $15 (unit) + $5.5 (extra labor already accounted? Wait—let me recalculate).
So glad I built that spreadsheet. The cheap switch's real cost came out to $15 unit + $8.5 (extra labor for initial install because of messy wire nuts) + $6.3 (expected failure cost) = $29.80. Almost identical after five years—but with way more headaches. I dodged a bullet when my boss almost approved a bulk buy of the cheap ones.
Why Small Customers Get a Fair Deal from Hubbell
When I was starting out, I assumed companies like Hubbell wouldn't care about my $200 orders. Wrong. Their distributor network (like Graybar and WESCO) processes small orders without attitude. I've ordered as few as 12 8110s and got the same support as a $20,000 project. There's something satisfying about that—after years of being ghosted by manufacturers who only wanted big accounts.
Plus, the 8110's occupancy-sensing variant (8110-UV) is a game-changer for small offices. It uses passive infrared (think motion detection with a 360° lens) to automatically dim lights when rooms are empty. Our electric bill dropped 23% in the first quarter after retrofitting our break rooms.
Boundary Conditions: When the 8110 Doesn't Make Sense
My experience is based on about 200 mid-range commercial orders. If you're working with luxury residential or high-end architectural jobs, your needs might differ. The 8110 is fairly reliable, but it's not designed for multi-gang installations where heat builds up—check Hubbell's derating tables if you're stacking switches.
Also, if your project is temporary (like construction trailers for <12 months), the cheap switch might be more cost-effective. I've done the math—short-term use doesn't recover the premium.
And one more thing: don't expect the 8110 to work with every LED bulb. Some older dimmable LEDs flicker below 20% brightness. Test with your actual lamps first. That lesson cost me $400 in rework on a church project.
The Bottom Line (for Real)
The 8110 isn't perfect. But for small customers who value reliability and want to avoid the 'cheap = expensive' trap, it's probably your best bet. I'd rather spend $28 once than $15 twice, plus the weekend callouts. If you're ordering under 100 units, go ahead. And if you're a first-time buyer, ask your distributor about their small-order pricing—I got 5% off by simply asking.
Full disclosure: I'm not an engineer. This is real-world procurement data from one company's experience. Your mileage may vary—especially if you're in high-moisture areas (the 8110 isn't rated for wet locations). Always check the official Hubbell datasheet (available at hubbell.com/8110).
