Does turning on/off flourescent lights use more energy?

Question

The managers at my work are trying to save money by truning off the flourescent lights in a highly trafficked area. Thus people turn them on within at most two hours to see. Are they saving any money if they are turned on/off about 4 times in 8 hours, or what is the ratio at the point of energy loss? Also does it take a significant amount of life off the bulb to turn them on/off repeatedly?

Answer 1

Tell the tight wads to put in two switches and put every-other
lamp on their switch respectively. You still have light at 50% and when necessary both could be used for 100% lighting.
Any time an electric device gets hot and then cold (expands and contracts) what do you think happens over time.

Answer 2

In the past, say over 20 years ago, it was more cost efficient to leave flourecents on, pretty much all day because of the power it took to turn them on.

The electronics have now improved to such a degree, that switching as often as you describe probably does save money. I wouldn't switch off overhead flourescents just to go to the restroom, but if I wanted to run an errand, or, even go watch TV for an hour or so, I will switch off, and feel good about it.

Answer 3

Saves money to turn them off. Incandescent bulbs life is shortened a little by on/off, but fluorescent are not really bothered by it.

Answer 4

If you turn them on and on and on they use more energy than a regular light bulb but use less if left on than a regular bulb

Answer 5

Yes it is more efficient to turn off any lighting. That is why we use motion sensors on the lighting circuits.

Answer 6

depends on the ballast they it used to be 6 hours off or the power to turn them on cost more than leaving them on.

Answer 7

simple yes