Does a light dimmer reduce current consumption? Does it reduce electricity bills?

The simple answer is yes, a light dimmer can reduce the current consumption of the lighting fixture it's connected to, and this can also lead to reduced electricity bills. Here's how it works:

1. Reduced Current Consumption: Traditional incandescent or halogen lights use less electricity when dimmed. The dimmer works by cutting off a portion of the waveform of the current being supplied to the light, effectively reducing the total amount of energy that the light bulb receives. With less energy reaching the bulb, it dims and consumes less electricity.

2. Energy Savings: Since you're using less electricity when your lights are dimmed, this can translate to savings on your electricity bill. The exact savings will depend on the type of bulbs you are using, how much you dim them, and how long they are used at the dimmed level.

3. Extended Bulb Life: Dimming lights can also extend the life of your bulbs, especially incandescent and halogen types, as they operate at lower temperatures when dimmed. This can save money over time by reducing replacement costs.

However, it's important to note that with certain types of energy-efficient lighting, such as LEDs or CFLs, the savings from merely dimming the lights might not be as significant. These types of lights are already designed to use less electricity, and the way dimmers interact with them is different. For these bulbs, the driver or internal circuitry reduces the current, which, in turn, dims the light. Not all LEDs are dimmable, and those that are often require specific compatible dimmers to function correctly and realise energy savings.

In summary, while using a dimmer can reduce electricity consumption and contribute to lower energy bills, the extent of these benefits can vary depending on the type of lighting you have and how you use the dimmer.