As you might have guessed, the answer is a little more complicated than that. The energy-saving qualities depend on which type of dimmer you use. Older dimmers consume the same power amount despite producing decreased brightness. In this case, that extra unused energy converts to heat instead. Modern dimmers are better at saving energy, but they still aren't perfect. They're designed to mimic incandescent bulbs by going through a few halogen cycles before reaching full brightness. This means it takes time for them to reach their full potential. However, many modern bulbs don't need to be dimmed as much as older ones did because they produce more light per watt than older bulbs do. Dimmers also require extra hardware and wiring in order to function properly — so if you're trying to save money on installation costs, you might want to consider other options like motion sensors or timers instead of dimmers.