Do Dimmer Switches Save Power?

Most people are looking for ways to save money. Whether at home or in a commercial space, dimmers have become a topic of debate in terms of energy savings. While dimmers reduced the light being produced, many people assume it also naturally reduces the energy being consumed in the press. So, do dimmer switches save power? Let’s take a closer look at this matter to find the answer.

What is a dimmer switch?

A dimmer switch is a switch installed to help change the level of lighting produced by an accompanying fixture. They may be installed as part of the fixture initially or added on later. A dimmer lets you control the output of light to adjust to different levels and moods. For instance, if you want to have a bright light in a space for working on task, you can adjust it, and then late in the day, you can reduce the light to create mood lighting for relaxation.

Do dimmer switches save power?

In order to understand how dimmers may or may not save power, it is helpful to understand how they operate. When you dim a light, it still pulls power to convert energy to illumination. It doesn’t necessarily change the amount of power used because it actually uses small rapid interruptions in the flow of electricity which produces the dimmer effect our eyes perceive. Another method used to create a dimming effect is the route of pulling the same level of power and only use part of it to create the illumination you see with the rest being lost to heat production. LED tends to use the power disruption method of interrupting the current of electricity while incandescent uses the heat loss method in their operation of dimming. To answer the question of do dimmers save power, the answer is no regardless of which operation method is used.

Should I dim lights?

The mater of dimming lights depends on the lamp type when looking the power level. Dimming incandescent can lead to a hot bulb because of the heat loss and you aren’t saving any energy in the process. Dimming LED lamps won’t have the heat loss, but you aren’t saving a considerable amount of energy with this type either. The bottom line is to dim if you want, but consider LED dimmers over incandescent models since LED will use less energy because there won’t be any energy lost to heat production.