Electricity savings: Is this true?

UK007BullDog

My husband insists that it is more economical for the bank account to keep the light constantly on in the hall if people want to go up or downstairs in the evenings than to turn it on or off as needed.

Is it really true that each time you hit the light switch on and off it will cost more that to leave the light on during the same time?

I can understand that if it is flourescent lights but not energy saver bulbs or regular light bulbs.

Advice please on this as we are actually have arguments about this.

randomtask_2

From my (limited) understanding, the efficiencies gained from energy saving bulbs is only really made if they are on for long, extended periods. Using one for a light that is frequently turned on or off is not really the best use of it...

Anyone care to confirm or refute this? I'm curious to know myself, since I have an energy saving bulb in my hall but I rarely have that on for longer than a few seconds at a time...

Terrylw1

And the answer is...you're both right!!!

When you turn on energy saver light bulbs it takes about the same as leaving them on a minute. So, it depends on how quick you are up and down the stairs as to whether it is better.

Has anyone ever said "stop flicking that lightswitch on and off", well if you do that a lot you wear it out quicker. Hence parents for years shouting at their kids for it.

Have a look at this page on the Energy Saving Trusts website about it.

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy_saving_products/types_of_energy_saving_recommended_products/energy_saving_light_bulbs/frequently_asked_questions

Google search on this

"do light bulbs use more energy when switching on"

You will get info back on flourescent ones as well.

And on top of all that, an argument saved on a Sunday night...:beer:

ChumpusRex

The issue isn't so much with the electricity - the actual energy consumption for starting a fluorescent light is only equivalent to a few seconds of running.

The problem is that starting is quite stressful on fluorescent bulbs - especially the old-fashioned type of strip light that flickers as it starts up. Each flash as it tries to ignite is potentially several minutes off the life of the bulb. Electronic fluorescents (compact energy-saving bulbs and high-end modern striplights) are much gentler when starting because they always start on the first attempt.

You have to balance out the wear and tear on the light from repeated switching against the energy costs. However, if you're going to leave the light on unnecessarily for more than about 5 minutes, then you'll probably save money by switching it off.