Leaving a light on overnight?

princess*daisy

Hi all,

I have recently bought my first house, and being the scaredy-cat that I am I always leave the living room light on overnight to put off potential burglars.

What I am wondering is whether this will significantly increase my electricity bill? I come from a family where my parents were obsessed with turning all the lights off when a room isn't in use, so I'm generally good about being careful with electricty, but I'm scared that leaving one light on overnight will cost me a fortune. The light I leave on is operated by a dimmer switch, if that makes any difference?

Thanks in advance

anna_grant

What wattage? Are they energy saving light bulbs?

Found this useful tool:

http://www.ukpower.co.uk/tools/running_costs_electricity/

macman

Statistically you are far more likely to be burgled at 4pm in the afternoon. Burglars need their sleep too...
It will depend on the wattage of the light and the time it's on for, but to make it simple, let's assume a 100w bulb on for 10 hours, so that will use 1kWh (100wx10). Assuming cost of 10p a unit, total cost 10p per night, or £36.50 a year.

Robert2009

Could you not use a table lamp or standard lamp with an 8 watt energysaving bulb since you most likely cannot use energysaving bulbs with a dimmer?

I use a table lamp in the hall at the front door, with an 8 watt energysaving bulb with a time switch, that switches off at 6 in the morning and is on from midnight. That only uses 48 watts a night and costs about £1.50 a year. It gets switched off earlier in the summer.

That way the stairs and landing are lit enough for anyone getting up during the night

Jon_Tiffany

macman wrote: »

Statistically you are far more likely to be burgled at 4pm in the afternoon. Burglars need their sleep too...
It will depend on the wattage of the light and the time it's on for, but to make it simple, let's assume a 100w bulb on for 10 hours, so that will use 1kWh (100wx10). Assuming cost of 10p a unit, total cost 10p per night, or £36.50 a year.

Or, install a 7w CFL which will cost £2.50 a year to run - a saving of £34 per year.

Owain_Moneysaver

Forget the dimmer switch - it cuts the light output by about 80% for a 20% reduction in electricity.

You could ask your local police for a free crime prevention check.

princess*daisy

Thanks for the advice guys. I have thought about using a lamp, but then I got worried in case it caught fire! (I think I worry about things far too much!). The energy saving lightbulb is a good idea though - I think I will out one in my porch and leave that on instead.

TEDDYRUKSPIN

macman wrote: »

Statistically you are far more likely to be burgled at 4pm in the afternoon. Burglars need their sleep too...
It will depend on the wattage of the light and the time it's on for, but to make it simple, let's assume a 100w bulb on for 10 hours, so that will use 1kWh (100wx10). Assuming cost of 10p a unit, total cost 10p per night, or £36.50 a year.

Very interesting about the time? Is the time you do this? LOL.

Also statistically the burgler is known by the neighbour!!!! Or known by someone in the area. Scary eh!

krazykidskate

princess*daisy wrote: »

Thanks for the advice guys. I have thought about using a lamp, but then I got worried in case it caught fire! (I think I worry about things far too much!). The energy saving lightbulb is a good idea though - I think I will out one in my porch and leave that on instead.

i've read before its a bad idea to leave a light on in hallway to deter burglars as this just looks like you're out and it was the easiest light to leave on/ its on for when you return -think this might equally apply to the porch.

notjustanyone

We always leave the bathroom light on of a night, its a 20watt energysaver bulb

slummymummyof3

notjustanyone wrote: »

We always leave the bathroom light on of a night, its a 20watt energysaver bulb

Ditto! Makes it ideal if anyone needs to get up during the night.