What are the benefits of dimming an incandescent lamp?
Using a dimming switch on an incandescent light bulb will not only reduce the energy consumption of the lamp, but also it will extend the life of the lamp. A 10% reduction in voltage (12 volts) in a lamp designed for 120 volt operation will extend the life almost 400%. However, light output is reduced by 1/3. For example, if you use a 100-watt standard household incandescent dimmed by 10%, you’ll save 10% energy, extend the life of the lamp, but the light bulb would have about the equivalent light output as a 60-watt bulb.
