A Conversation for Pappy-isms - the Wisdom of the Aged
"Switching the lights on and off uses up more electricity than leaving them on all the time."
Peet (the Pedantic Punctuation Policeman, Muse of Lateral Programming Ideas, Eggcups-Spurtle-and-Spoonswinner, BBC Cheese Namer & Zaphodista) Started conversation Jan 9, 2003
Under certain circumstances, this is true. The current surge when switching on a conventional fluorescent light (as opposed to an "energy saver"*) uses up about as much electricity as running the light for ten minutes. So, if the light is in a cupboard where people are going in and out every ten minutes or less, it uses less electricity to leave the light on than it does to switch it on every time somebody goes in. 
(*"Energy Saving" bulbs have a more energy efficient "starter" circuit, which has the downside of making the light take several seconds to reach full brightness...
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"Switching the lights on and off uses up more electricity than leaving them on all the time."
GTBacchus Posted Jan 17, 2003
I always thought it was that switching the lights on and off reduces bulb life, because the changes in temperature put wear and tear on the filament, causing the bulb to burn out sooner, and you have to buy more. This is a trade-off with the money you save by not powering the lights all the time.
Dunno if it makes any damn sense, but that's how I learned it.
"Switching the lights on and off uses up more electricity than leaving them on all the time."
Chronicargonaut Posted Feb 11, 2003
You pedants!!!!!!!!!!
"Switching the lights on and off uses up more electricity than leaving them on all the time."
Jeff Mutton Posted Feb 17, 2003
aren't they.
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"Switching the lights on and off uses up more electricity than leaving them on all the time."
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