When the light switch is in the 'on position', are you using power?

Question

This is not as stupid as it sounds. :o)

I have a room where the light switches are in a TERRIBLE location.

The Room is lighted by a ceiling fan / light. I was considering turning both light and fan switches to the ON position, and just manually using chains to turn the light/fan on and off.

This would mean the Light switches would be in the ON position on a permanent basis. In fact, I plan on putting an Armoire in front of them, making them completely unaccessible.

But if having the switches ON, means we are using electricity endlessly (and paying for it), then I don't want to do that. But if using the pull-chains and to operate the light/fan is just as effective cutting off electricity usage as using the wall-switch would be....then that is what I'd like to do.

Does this make sense?

Answer 1

The way a switch works is that it allows electricity to pass through (if on) or not (if off). It helps to think of it as a valve on a water pipe. When off, no water passes through the valve. When on, water flows.

What you have here are two switches. One on the wall and one on the ceiling fan/light. So, if the wall switch is on, electricity is flowing through it (just as water would flow through an open valve). However, when the electricity hits the switch in the ceiling light/fan, it's stopped.

So, what you have is electricity going a few extra yards (from the switch to the light/fan), but then being stopped.

That's negligible and you need not worry about having a higher bill or additionally hurting the environment.

However, in some cases, the second switch is "past" an electricity-using element. For example, when I turn off the switch on my laptop computer, it's still drawing power because the battery recharging unit comes BEFORE the laptop's power switch. TVs and other appliances that have clocks in them will still use electricity when the power switch is off.

That's not likely the case here.

So, go ahead and leave the wall switch on. My only caution is that if you have suspect wiring between the switches (including within the ceiling light/fan), you're running an extra risk. I doubt this is the case, however.

People do this ALL of the time, by the way.

Answer 2

It all depends on the problem and which circuit it is in..But for safety reasons don't work around electrical components with the engine running.Some components are always Hot even when the key is in the off position(headlights,clocks ,courtesy lamps).Others get Power when the key is in Acc.position,usually the radio.All other components that operate with the engine On can usually be energized with the Key in the On position.Checking the Starting Circuit requires the Key be put in the Start position momentarily and usually a 2 person operation when using a test light.

Answer 3

Unless the fan/ light is on it will not be taking power in. I also have a light switch that is located out of reach, so I do exactly what you are planning, and have never had a large electric bill. It's like the same concept of having an item plugged in, it has electricity available, but as long as the product isn't on, it isn't being used. I hope I'm making sense, and I hope this helps.

Answer 4

No. The chains control the circuit the same way the light switch does. If the light and fan are turned off by the chains, there is no electricity being used.

Answer 5

As long as the light is not lit and the fan is not running you are not using electricity. The pull down switches are in series with the wall switch so either switch stops current flow. Both must be "on" for current to flow.

Answer 6

The pull chains are switches that turn the motor on and off. Thats whats using the power as long as the fans arent turning nor the lights on you should be fine. Smart work around though.

Answer 7

Yes, your question makes sense.

To answer your question - yes, but the effect is so miniscule you won't notice the difference.

Leaving the light switch "on" and turning the light/fan off by using the chain will draw a tiny bit but unnoticable (by you) amount of power. What happens is that the extra length of energized wire to the turned off light/fan is radiating a tiny bit of power. The flip side of that is all of the other energized but unused wires going to other turned-off lights/fans/radios/appliances/etc. are doing the same thing.

Recharging a cell phone takes more power than what you'll lose throughout the house from this effect.


In a nutshell - leave the light switch permantly "on" and don't worry about it drawing any more power.

My only caveat - those "pull chain" switches I've used don't seen to last as long as regular wall switches - but the cost of replacing a switch would cost more than any lost power from radiation losses.

Answer 8

You won't be using energy until you pull the cord for the light/fan. Otherwise the electricity is not making a connection and you are using no power.

Think of it this way...
In plumbing, you can turn the water off/on by the main valve or off/on at any faucet in the house but until the water flows out into the sink, its not being used.

Hope this helps.

Answer 9

Switches and sockets, themselves, don't consume electricity. Therefore, if the fan and lights are not operating-they are not useing any electricity. You can have a lamp turned-ON with a burned-out bulb and it won't be consuming power. You won't be getting the light it affords when NOT burned-out, either. But that's okay because you are not only saving money but are also relieving strain on the power grid. Satisfaction and adventure should be yours. Thank you and goodnight.

Answer 10

What you have are two switches that will control the fan and light.
Both switches have to on for the light and fan to work, if either one is off the circuit will be open and no electricity will flow.