Dimmer switch in hutch only comes on when the room is warm

whats on the other end of the circuit.
http://sound.westhost.com/lamps/dimmers.html

Dimmers modify the waveform of the AC current and cause transient waveforms. These waveforms can cause wiring to overheat (fire) saw it on TV where the issue was a hotel burnt down as the dimmer switches caused the wiring to get so hot the room caught on fire. Would suggest reading the article and consider what is connected to the dimmer and researching the fire risks attached with the type of dimmer you are using. .

Yes, Wall Dimmer Switches do indeed get warm in use. The front part of the dimmer switch is a plate of aluminum, and is actually a "heat sink" for the innards. It dumps the heat to the outside front of the switch, and yes - it makes the switch-plate feel warm hen the dimmer is used.

The concern here is warm is okay, but HOT is NOT, at least not for your application of only a few lamps being dimmed.

If you are ever in a commercial establishment, like a big convention hall in a hotel, or a large restaurant dining room where a lot of lights are on single dimmer switches, you will observe the switches actually have external heat sinks, large plates of finned metal, on the outside of the switch. Those are designed to dim many lights, and can indeed get quite hot.

Take the plastic plate off and read the wattage rating that is stamped into that aluminum plate. As long as the total of your load (7 lamps times 65 watts each lamp equals 455 watts total load) is equal to or less than the "Maximum Load" shown on the switch, you are fine.

If you still feel the switch is too hot for your peace of mind, replace it with one rated for an even greater load - it will possibly run a bit cooler (Ohm's law says it will not!). Switches can and do wear out, and they are inexpensive enough that replacement is "cheap insurance".

If you go that route, and decide to replace the switch yourself (a relatively easy task, Google yourself a "How-to" video on the subject) and unless you are very VERY familiar with the circuitry in your home, just go ahead and throw the Main Breaker of the house off for the 15 or 20 minutes the job will take you.

That way, you won't have any 'shocking surprises' when you start fiddling inside that switch-box.

(make sure you have fresh batteries in your best flashlight, and all the tools you need, before you start!)

Best 'o luck, William!

That is normal with a lot of dimers. If you have LED lamps try a different brand. If tungsten give the filament time to warm up. I think you will find the dimmer it is set the longer for them to come on.

The dimmer switch you select will depend on the type of bulbs you will be using. The 'original type ' of dimmer works with regular incandescent bulbs and halogen bulbs only. They cost around $15.00. Then there are dimmers for compact florescent (cfl) bulbs and LED lights that are dimmable, as well for regular light bulbs. These types of dimmers are more expensive, ranging in price form around $40.00 upwards.
Light Switches Dimmers

If you are replacing a single pole switch ( just one switch that operates lights) you'll need a single pole dimmer. If you are replacing a 3-way switch ( two switches that operate the same light) you'll need a 3-way dimmer.
Installing the dimmer is pretty straight forward. All dimmers come with installation instructions. Make sure you turn off the circuit breaker for the particular switch you are replacing.

Your dimmer switch is bad (lever used to flip between hi/low beams) they're only plastic and they go bad. Before you change check fuses, buy I highly suspect dimmer switch.

You miswired the switch. One of your black wires is misplaced.

It's possible that he living room outlet feeds through the dining room switch and that a wire may have become disconnected when you put in the dimmer. I don't know the specifics of you home layout. If the dining room and living room are on different circuit breaker switches, this is not the problem.

yes if it is a 3way dimmer. but i don't think that is a 3way dimmer

Unfortunately, the hum is normal for operation of that type of dimmer at low levels.  Sometimes the lamp filaments will also "sing" a high pitched sound.