An energy savings device for an inductive, a resistive or a capacitive load, such as a fluorescent light fixture having a magnetic ballast or an electronic ballast, which is powered by an AC voltage waveform. The energy savings device includes a setting unit for setting a desired power operating level for the load. The energy savings device also includes a microprocessor configured to receive a signal from the setting unit indicative of the desired power operating level for the load, to determine a phase delay to be provided to an output AC voltage waveform that is to be provided to the load, and to output a control signal as a result thereof. The energy savings device further includes an active element provided between a line that provides the input AC voltage waveform and the load, the active element receiving the control signal and turning off and on at predetermined times in accordance with the control signal, so as to create the output AC voltage waveform from the AC voltage waveform.