They always say its a waste of energy to turn a light off and then on a minute later. Its better to just leave it on. Why? What in the light bulb uses so much energy to turn on?
2007-08-27 17:24:40 · 8 answers · asked by califrniateach 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
This only applies to fluorescent lighting - or so is the common misconception.
The real answer is too long to type here so I've retrieved a link for you from the Department Of Energy where you'll find the full explanation.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/lighting_daylighting/index.cfm/mytopic=12280
this is the best answer I can offer.
2007-08-27 17:43:26 · answer #1 · answered by B C 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends what kind of bulb you are talking about. Need more information. There are a hundred kinds of bulbs. If you are talking about a lamp bulb, then that's really a bunch of crap.
If you are talking flourescent bulbs then there may be some truth to it because it takes a lot of energy from the ballast to ignite the gas inside of them, but once they are on they draw very little energy. Be more specific.
It shouldn't be hard for a gilr with a degree in physics to understand the nature of what it takes to ignite a ligh bulb as opposed to just leaving it on. How may California physics majors does it take to screw in a light bulb?? LOL Just kidding.
2007-08-28 07:30:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your point of view. If we are only looking at just one instant in time then when you first turn on the light switch, the filament is basically a short, until the filament heats up and glows. This only takes an instant of time, so in that instant it does take more current to turn the lights on than just leaving the lights on. The trouble is that is only good for just an instant of time. Leaving the lights on will use more energy than turning out the lights when you leave the room.
good luck.
2007-08-27 20:12:07 · answer #3 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sLED lights take virtually no time to warm up. Incandescent lamps take some but negligible time. Florescents take more more than any com on lighting. It has been a while but if I remember correctly it takes enough power so that if you were to leave a room for less than 5 to 6 minutes the n you would be better off leaving the lights on. Still rather in significant.
2007-08-28 11:06:01 · answer #4 · answered by len b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The use of electricity to turn on a ballast in a fluorescent light compared to leaving it on is negligible. Someone may be confusing this with turning on an electrical motor which draws more amps to start it up than it does to run it. (Peak Draw Amps)
2007-08-28 03:58:33 · answer #5 · answered by chains1240 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With incandescents, leaving them on makes use of extra skill, even nonetheless on and rancid too often stresses the filament. With fluorescents, the starter builds up the cost, applying extra skill to get it going, then it slows to a trickle. So if it will be off for under 10 or so minutes, turn it off to save skill.
2016-10-17 04:30:25 · answer #6 · answered by gustavo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whoever is telling you that is wrong. If you aren't in a room using the lights, turn them off even if your only going to be gone a few minutes. I've tried it. When I keep lights off when not in use, my light bill will be four to five dollars less.
2007-08-27 17:33:52 · answer #7 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
with incandescents it makes no difference. with a fluorescent, there is a small amount of time that it heats up a ballast. that uses a fraction more energy to get it started.
2007-08-27 17:37:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋