Mythbusters did a show on this. The measurable "surge" in power from turning it on equated to a small fraction of a second. That means leaving the light on for 1 second uses the same amount of electricity as turning it on then off in 1 second. Save your money keep the lights off when not in use. They went on to determine how many times turning the lights on and off before it blew. Turns out turning it on for 5 second then off for 5 seconds 24 hours a day almost all the lights blew in about 2 months. half of the lights left on constantly for that time blew out. LED and CFL's use the least power and last the longest, but still its best to shut them off when not in use.
2007-02-06 14:59:45
·
answer #1
·
answered by Rick P 3
·
2⤊
0⤋
This was on an episode of Mythbusters (Discovery Channel, Wednesdays at 9PM) 4 weeks ago. They tested many different types of bulbs, the power it used to turn them on, and the power it used just running. In the end, it was more cost effective to turn the light off if you'd be out of the room for less than 4/10 of a second. If you're leaving the room for longer, you're "wasting" electricity by leaving the light on.
2007-02-06 15:00:11
·
answer #2
·
answered by Smitty 3
·
1⤊
0⤋
More power is used if left on all day. You do not use much extra energy turning a light on. It would require special expensive equipment to even measure the difference.
2007-02-06 14:54:51
·
answer #3
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
0⤋
Leaving it on simple because when it is off it uses no power at all.
It used to be said that turning a lamp on and off stressed the filament and could lead to an earlier failure of incandescent bulbs but this is thought to no longer be the case by nature of better bulb design.
2007-02-06 14:58:41
·
answer #4
·
answered by Marshall B 1
·
0⤊
0⤋
Mythbusters tested it. it takes more energy leaving the lights on than it does if you turn it off every time you leave the room.
2007-02-06 18:14:10
·
answer #5
·
answered by nathanael_beal 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
Obviously if you leave it on it's using power
if it's off it's not using power
2007-02-06 14:55:36
·
answer #6
·
answered by NV 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
regular lights are cheaper turned off when not in use.
2007-02-06 14:54:56
·
answer #7
·
answered by Janice S 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
leaving it on all day. check your power bill. They charge you for usage.
2007-02-06 14:52:19
·
answer #8
·
answered by ButwhatdoIno? 6
·
0⤊
0⤋