does using the new led light bulbs with an old dimmer switch waste more power than not using a dimmer switch ?

Question

and do you think they should not put a tax on energy effiecent devices?

Answer 1

It depends on what you consider a waste. If the new LED bulb has a terminal resistance that the old dimmer was designed for, mostly around 300 down to 100 ohms, the dimming action would work just as with the old incandescent bulbs.

However, most LED bulbs likely have a higher resistance range causing the old dimmer's max dimming to be still too well lit or not causing any dimming at all (on-off only). In either of these cases the dimmer switch itself does not get heated up so the energy still all goes into the illumination. Both cases do not waste power more than not using a dimmer switch.

Answer 2

SciQuest below has given you the techy bit.
I have an angle-poise type lamp on my computer desk fitted with led which uses next to no power.
I recently bought a standard lamp with a dimmer switch for the main light, but a small arm fitted with led bulb which can be angled for reading, which doesn't have a dimmer. So sounds like a dimmer switch is not worth the effort.
The desk lamp cost £5 and the standard lamp £25. Reckon I can save that cost in about 6-8 months.

Answer 3

The power consumption is coming from the LEDS alone. The dimmer switch is not requiring any current so, no...there is no waste coming from the dimmer switch. Why would they not put a tax on energy efficient devices? Logically energy efficient devices last longer so there would be less purchases which would incline them to tax energy efficient devices. It is the other stuff that should have lesser taxes because they tend to not last as long and there are obviously more purchases on those items.

Answer 4

all the dimmer switch does is add resistance
the newer ones actually are voltage dividers