system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Will dimmed lights use less electricity, or is it just wasted in a different way?

Thanks for the replies. Summary is, yes they use less electricity if its a modern one, although maybe more than you'd expect by looking at the brightness. Reason I asked is that my kids sleep with them dimmed right down.
gpt
the dimmer uses some power too.  but lights are most efficient at full power.  so 100% light uses 100% power, but 50% light might use 60% power.  so as they are dimmed, they use less power, but are less efficient.