Does turning down the dimmer switch on lights use less power?

Answer 1

Yes it does. That is because modern dimmers are NOT resistors. If they were resistors they would waste the rest of the electricity not going to the lamp.

Instead they are adjustable solid state switches. They turn the power to the bulb on and off rapidly. When it is on the bulb is getting a full power shot of electricity for the on-interval. When it is off the bulb is not using any electricity for the off-interval. Light dimness depends on what fraction of the time they are on. Power savings depends on the fraction of the time they are off.

Answer 2

Very early dimmers were resistors (rheostats), so they "dimmed" by simply using more current within the dimmer switch. Newer dimmers are of many types, and work by altering the shape of the AC current. These are more efficient since they do not "waste" current by using it as heat.

Dimmers still do feel warm since some heat is generated, but it is much less than the total amount of current attenuated.

To answer your question: with most modern dimmers, you do save power by turning them down.

Answer 3

Yes. The dimmer switch controls the amount of current that flows to the light. When there is less current, less power is used.

Answer 4

a dimmer actually reduces the amount of power used. It also saves you money by using electricity in pulses too small to be measured by a normal electric meter.

in several countries this is now illegal.

in other places, new solid state meters track actual consumption even with a low LOAD FACTOR as in the case of dimmed circuits.

this inability of old fashioned meters to properly measure power is exploited by OVERUNITY FRAUDS.

Answer 5

Yes, the dimmer is a resistor and resist the amount of electricity going to the bulb.

Answer 6

no. not at all. if you feel the switch plate you'll notice it is hotter all the energy is stored there. In short, you use the exact same amout.