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How much to leave kitchen light on?

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  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    woodbine wrote: »
    12p per kwh?:eek: we pay less than 9p
    12p is typical once you allow for standing charges etc.

    e.g. Ebico, who are the only company with straighforward billing charge between 12.63p and 13.96p
    http://www.ebico.co.uk/ratesbyregion.php

    Whilst they may not be the cheapest, I doubt they are 40-55% more expensive than the average.
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • richardc1983
    richardc1983 Posts: 2,163 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    melbury wrote: »
    OMG I can't tell him that and it was him who suggested I ask the question on this site:eek: How can I delete this thread???:rotfl:


    Except that the flouorescent tube is probably between 18-36watts so will cost less to run.
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  • Pincher
    Pincher Posts: 6,552 Forumite
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    macman wrote: »
    Another vote for a PIR sensor. I have the same in the kitchen but it's built into the switch.
    It doesn't go off when you walk out, it's set on a variable time delay.

    I have a wall switch version, for a corridor. This one was about £25, and doesn't work with energy saving bulbs, so I have to use an old filament bulb. I was going to put a wall switch version in the entrance hall, but the ceiling light is full of energy saving bulbs.

    The £12 one seems to be a straighforward relay, so it works with everything. The kitchen wall switch has two switches, so it was not a straight swap. I didn't want to spend £50 on a 360 degrees ceiling one, so I put the £12 one up there, pointing to the kitchen door, so it sees me coming.

    Because the sensor lights don't stay on for long, it doesn't matter if you use filament and halogen bulbs. The flood light is 500W halogen, but I set the timer for 20 seconds.
  • Andy_WSM
    Andy_WSM Posts: 2,217 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Uniform Washer Rampant Recycler
    Pincher wrote: »

    The £12 one seems to be a straighforward relay, so it works with everything.

    Been looking for one for my hallway that isn't too expensive. Where did you get yours?
  • Can I just point out that although the start-up/continuous cost difference may be negligible, frequent switching on and off will dramatically reduce the life of the lamp. That is why people often complain that energy saving lamps do not last anywhere near as long as the average life stated.
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  • melbury
    melbury Posts: 13,251 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    Except that the flouorescent tube is probably between 18-36watts so will cost less to run.


    No it definitely says 70 watt on it.
    Stopped smoking 27/12/2007, but could start again at any time :eek:

  • Pincher
    Pincher Posts: 6,552 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Andy_WSM wrote: »
    Been looking for one for my hallway that isn't too expensive. Where did you get yours?

    http://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/Cricklewood/product.php?productid=20631&cat=0&page=1

    It's meant for wall mount, but I put it on the ceiling for a passage, and the curtain detection pattern works OK, but for the hallway, wouldn't you prefer a 360 degree?

    http://www.ryness.co.uk/ProductDetails.aspx?CategoryID=727&Category4ID=1&ProductID=10249
  • Premier_2
    Premier_2 Posts: 15,141 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Can I just point out that although the start-up/continuous cost difference may be negligible, frequent switching on and off will dramatically reduce the life of the lamp. That is why people often complain that energy saving lamps do not last anywhere near as long as the average life stated.

    I was going to mention that in my earlier post, but then remembered that I think you are supposed to regularly replace fluorescent tube bulbs anyway due to a deterioration in light quality over time.

    I think our office lighting bulbs are replaced every 6 months (although that may be partly because it is contracted out and the contractors don't want to come in specifically to replace an odd totally failed bulb)

    Having said that, I have a fluorescent bulb in my kitchen. I'm sure it's been there about 20 years without replacement ... and gets turned on & off all the time as required.
    "Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 2010
  • samtheman1k
    samtheman1k Posts: 473 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Pincher wrote: »
    I have a wall switch version, for a corridor. This one was about £25, and doesn't work with energy saving bulbs, so I have to use an old filament bulb. I was going to put a wall switch version in the entrance hall, but the ceiling light is full of energy saving bulbs.

    The £12 one seems to be a straighforward relay, so it works with everything. The kitchen wall switch has two switches, so it was not a straight swap. I didn't want to spend £50 on a 360 degrees ceiling one, so I put the £12 one up there, pointing to the kitchen door, so it sees me coming.

    Because the sensor lights don't stay on for long, it doesn't matter if you use filament and halogen bulbs. The flood light is 500W halogen, but I set the timer for 20 seconds.

    Yikes! Look in screwfix or toolstation, you can get 360deg ceiling ones for less than £20. I run 6 halogen ceiling lights (50W each) with a 20min delay for my kitchen. Very sensitive though, even the cats set it off, so wired a manual switch in as well so I can force it off at night etc.
  • DVardysShadow
    DVardysShadow Posts: 18,949 Forumite
    Premier wrote: »
    12p is typical once you allow for standing charges etc.

    e.g. Ebico, who are the only company with straighforward billing charge between 12.63p and 13.96p
    http://www.ebico.co.uk/ratesbyregion.php

    Whilst they may not be the cheapest, I doubt they are 40-55% more expensive than the average.
    But for the specific problem of this thread, we are talking about 'marginal' consumption and the marginal price of electricity. Standing charge does not come into it.

    OP would pay Standing Charge in full, regardless of the use of the kitchen light - so the relevant price is the price of the cheapest electricity consumed at the time of consumption.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
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