Conversion lamps

Hey i was wondering about conversion bulbs, i read that they produce less light, and some companies even advertise that the use less watts. They make it sound like it uses less watts from the outlet, but i would assume they mean that the ballast uses 400w while the bulb only uses 360w of those watts. Am i wrong, do conversion bulbs actually use less watts from the power company? Also if they do use less watts im assuming they would also run cooler. Anyone have any info on this, particularly MH to HPS bulbs. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Lampshade.

Use a clamp on amp meter then calculate the wattage. Less watts will= less heat.

I have an ohmmeter but i would hate to sit there for an hour, how much are these ammeters?

I always got mine free. 60 dollars sounds rite for a inexpensive 1.

im have the same question.. right now i have a 400 watt mh but i have the conversion bulb which says 360 watts..

I want to get an ounce off oof each plant i have. I doubt that 40 watts will make much of a difference tho. i'll just add some cfls

Being that hps is more efficient at using watts, the 360w hps actually produces ABOUT the same amount of lumens as a 400w MH. Also it stimulates phytochrome which is the regulater behind flowering. Although phytochrome and florigen are not completely understood yet.