Does using a dimmer switch affect the cost of electricity?  

use zero bulb,does not cost u much

CFLs are simply miniature versions of full-sized fluorescents. They screw into standard lamp sockets, and give off light that looks just like the common incandescent bulbs - not like the fluorescent lighting we associate with factories and schools.And you can save up to 20% on your electric bill.

I'm not sure about dimmer. We have lamps that we can switch to dimmer and dimmest, still we pay the same amount every month.
the best way to save electricity is to buy energy saving bulb. you can see the sign on the package when you go out and buy them.

I was looking around for that answer..think your electrician is right...that it's just an ambience effect..it will make the bulb last longer though the dimmer you have it--so in other words...only by having the light completely off will you save on electricity--though I did got a bit conflicting info...the first suggests that you only save on the bulb's "life" while the second source says yes, you do save electricity therefore money...guess time will tell on that new electric bill..right?

(First source)


HOW DO DIMMERS SAVE ENERGY ?
When the light is off, no energy is being used. The longer the triac is off, the lower the light output, and the greater the energy savings.

Lutron Dimmers Pay for Themselves:
Dimming
the lights Saves
electricity Makes incandescent
bulbs last longer
10% 10% 2 times longer
25% 20% 4 times longer
50% 40% 20 times longer
75% 60% > 20 times longer

Here's the link


http://www.lutron.com/pro...



(second source)


Energy-Saving Idea #3: Dim the lights. Dimmer switches are a wonderful convenience people have long enjoyed. They conserve electricity—up to 50 percent off the lighting portion of your electricity bill—and they extend the life of your bulbs up to 20 times. Dimmers can be used with existing incandescent bulbs.

http://64.233.169.104/sea...

That is a new one on me. I always thought there would be less electricity if the light wasn't as bright. I like ambiance too, but I did think less electricity was used. Think we should start buying those expensive light bulbs that are supposed to save us money.

Hmm I never really thought about the dimmer in terms of saving electricity. I do have dimmers and I use them mostly for ambience. THe light is still on, even dimmed so I wouldn't think it would save in electricity.SO I"m guessing your electrician is right :)
On the other hand I also use energy saving light bulbs, going by what I read about them, they do help since they spend less electricity.

I don't know, but I would have thought the lower the light, the less power required. To me that's logic.

Your electrician is mostly right. In spite of all the tripe someone C&Ped into their response, dimmers do not really save you much money and actually shorten the life of the bulbs. A dimmed bulb draws a little less energy, but not in direct relation to the lower brightness.

so...Dim your lights and enjoy the ambiance!

The way to really reduce energy use and save money is to switch to the new curly-Q florescent bulbs. Without even changing your other lighting habits, switching all your bulbs will cut the lighting portion of your electric bill by 70-80% depending on the bulbs you use.

P.S. You can't use a dimmer on a florescent bulb!!!

I have to be honest I always thought that it saved electricity but I am not sure
I thought it did because if the Lights are dim they should not use as much electricity
Now I am not sure and I don't know