Keeping lights on or off?

Kimberley

I can't find any related threads so i'll start this one. Is it cheaper to keep downstairs lights on? For example if i keep the kitchen hallway and living room lights on until i go to bed, would it be cheaper then turning each light on when i need to?

Gorgeous_George

It's cheaper to switch them off when not required.



GG

Cardew

Always cheaper to turn off lights whenever not needed.

This theory(of keeping lights on) is an urban myth based on the fact that with neon lights you use more power for a very small amount of time when first switched on.
However this would only be relevant if you were switching a neon light off for a minute or so and then on again.

Kimberley

ok, it's just that i'm sure someone on here ages ago once said that turning lights on burn electric more then keeping them on I wasn't too sure which is right because i leave mine on

victory

The only light I ever have on is the room I am in at the time... all others off! xx

kathyd_2

I keep a lamp on in the bedroom and the landing light on until the last one goes to bed. Maybe time to re-think. :rolleyes:

[Deleted User]

I keep a lamp on in the living room untill I go to bed. It stays on even if no one is in the house that evening. For security reasons. But it is a 11W (60W light) compact energy saving bulb.

Cardew

kathyd wrote:

I keep a lamp on in the bedroom and the landing light on until the last one goes to bed. Maybe time to re-think. :rolleyes:

Whilst any saving is worthwhile we really should get the savings into perspective.

If you have an 11 watt energy saving bulb like LeeUK above it will run approx 10 hours for 1 pence. - much less if you are on Economy 7.

So left on for 12 hours every night it will use less than a Fiver a year.

ABN

Cardew wrote:

This theory(of keeping lights on) is an urban myth based on the fact that with neon lights you use more power for a very small amount of time when first switched on.
However this would only be relevant if you were switching a neon light off for a minute or so and then on again.

I think you will find that it is because switching florescent type lights on and off shortens their life. Thus the power savings are outweighed by the replacement tube costs.

Cardew

ABN wrote:

I think you will find that it is because switching florescent type lights on and off shortens their life. Thus the power savings are outweighed by the replacement tube costs.

Agreed - that is also a reason/theory; same argument is used for keeping PCs running constantly.

My understanding is that the life of the modern type of florescent lamp(including the low wattage energy saving lamps used in domestic applications) is not shortened by switching on/off.

However my point was that the small amount of extra power used during switching on those particular lights has somehow given rise to the urban myth that it is "cheaper to leave other lights and appliances on constantly as they then use less power than switching them off and on.

BexTech

All of our lights are energy saver ones, but lights are only every switched on when were are in that room and switched off as soon as we leave the room.