A dimmer is a light control device that provides variable indoor lighting for incandescent and fluorescent lamps. A dimmer can save energy by reducing the amount of power delivered to the light while consuming very little itself.

 

Off-the-shelf dimmers for incandescent fixtures are inexpensive and provide some energy savings when lights are used at a reduced level. Dimmers also increase the service life of incandescent lamps significantly. However, dimming incandescent lamps reduces their lumen output more than their wattage. This makes incandescent lamps less efficient as they are dimmed.

 

Dimming fluorescents requires special dimming ballasts and lamp holders, but does not reduce their efficiency. Fluorescent dimmers are dedicated fixtures and bulbs that provide even greater energy savings than a regular fluorescent lamp.