What To Know About Turning Off Lights To Save Energy

Yes, turning off lights to save energy is the perfect way to save energy although it’s a matter of:

  • How much electricity is being used (due to the type of lighting being used).
  • The amount of time the lights are turned off.

Here are some helpful facts and information to explain more.

Does Turning off Lights to Save Energy Make a Difference?

does turning off lights to save energy make a difference

5 Important Facts About Turning Off the Lights to Save Energy

There are a lot of factors to consider to see the difference between your electric bill and your conservation efforts, but it’ll all be worth it in the end.

1. YES, Turning Off the Lights Is Energy Saving and Money Saving

Turning off your lights not only conserves energy, but it saves you money too! Turning off your lights reduces your utility bills and makes your home more cost-effective and energy-efficient.

Additionally, depending on the type of bulb you’re using, you can also save money on purchasing bulbs because keeping them off will extend their lives.

2. It Depends on the Type of Light Bulb You Use

Specific bulbs are more energy-efficient than others because of how they work. Your choice of a lightbulb is an important factor because all lightbulbs have a nominal or rated operating life which is shortened depending on how many times you turn it on or off.

3. The More You Turn Off the Light, the More the Savings

While this is common sense, you can calculate how much you save when you start conserving electricity. You’ll need to get your past and most recent bills to do this.

To calculate, you need to figure out how much you’re being charged per kilowatt-hour, then multiply it by the price.

4. Lighting Control Options Will Increase Savings Even More

Lighting controls, like dimmer switches or motion detectors, reduce energy consumption and increase savings by using your lighting efficiently.

Dimmers, for example, allow you to control how much light you use, and in turn, you reduce your power output and save electricity.

5. It’s Good for the Environment

Turning off your lights and choosing your bulbs wisely not only leads to energy conservation but also helps reduce carbon emissions. So, you will not only see a difference in your energy bill, but you’ll also make a positive impact on the environment.

Energy-efficient lighting, like LEDs, doesn’t contain any toxic elements.

Additionally, 25% of greenhouse gasses were caused by electricity production, with 62% of electricity powered by fossil fuels, like coal.

Different Types of Light Bulb Technologies and Their Power Use

different types of light bulb technologies and their power use

Different bulbs have different energy ratings, and some are less efficient than others. For example, incandescent light bulbs are the least energy-efficient compared to compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs.

Incandescent light bulbs put out a significant amount of heat due to how they work. Incandescent bulbs pass electricity through a filament that brings it up to a specific temperature to produce light.

Halogen Light Bulbs and Energy Use

Halogen lights are less efficient than CFLs and LEDs, but they’re still better than using incandescent bulbs, which cause unnecessary heat. Halogen lights use the same technology as incandescent bulbs; therefore, even though they have a slight edge, they should still be turned off when not in use.

Incandescent Light Bulb Energy Use

Incandescent lights are the least efficient in terms of energy use. Only 10% of the energy used in incandescent bulbs results in lighting. And, because 90% of the energy in these bulbs is expended as heat, keeping the light off will also keep your house at a comfortable temperature.

Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL Bulbs) Lightning

Fluorescent lights like CFL bulbs are an efficient method of lighting, particularly in comparison to older halogen or incandescent light bulbs. In terms of energy cost, CFL bulbs are your second-to-best choice.

The rule for saving electricity when using CFL bulbs is that if you’re out of a room for 15 minutes or more, you should turn the light off; otherwise, it’s fine to leave it on.

Light Emitted Diode Bulb Fixtures (LED Bulb Technology)

Of the four different bulb types, light emitted diode bulbs (LED) are not only the most energy-efficient and have an average lifespan of roughly 25,000 hours. In terms of energy efficiency LED bulbs are your best choice.

Which Is Better: CFL or LED?

which is better cfl or led

In terms of longevity, energy efficiency, cost, and impact on the environment, LEDs are the clear-cut winner.

Which Is Brighter: CFL Bulbs or LED Lights?

To understand the difference in brightness, you must first understand the difference in technology. Brightness is determined by how many lumens something produces.

In short, lumens are a measurement of light or brightness. CFL and LED light bulbs can have the same amount of lumens, but the output of energy required will change the brightness.

Modern LED lights surpass CFL in terms of brightness; however, that wasn’t always the case. In the past, LED bulbs weren’t omnidirectional and wouldn’t perform well in all lighting scenarios. For example, an older LED bulb would not have worked well or efficiently in a floor lamp.

If you’re using older LED lighting in your home or business, CFLs could be the better choice in terms of brightness and cost-efficiency.

Can I Use LED Bulb Lighting Instead of CFL Bulbs?

Yes, you can replace your CFL bulbs with LED bulbs! Replacing them not only reduces your electric bill but also reduces your carbon footprint due to the decrease in power consumption.

With that being said, while you can generally use an LED bulb in a CFL fixture you should ensure that the socket is appropriately sized so that the bulb will fit. You’ll also want to avoid using bulbs with higher wattages than the fixture.

What Is the Problem With CFL Bulbs?

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) contain mercury, and throwing them away once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan is tricky. Additionally, they have a longer “warm-up” time and are sensitive to cold temperatures.

Calculating Energy Saving Benefits and Costs

calculating energy saving benefits and costs

Find out what your watt rating is on each bulb. For example, a 60-watt bulb turned off for one hour saves you .06 kilowatt-hours. Then, calculate your savings by comparing your most recent electric bill.

Check how many kilowatts per hour you utilized in the past month, and multiply that by the price charged by your electric company.

Some electric companies charge varying rates depending on the time of day or season. Additionally, you may need to use more or less lighting contingent on the season and the weather.

James Marshall

About the author

James is a business management professional and consultant with a former background in maintenance, repair, and hands-on projects. He enjoys DIY tasks and maintenance around the home as well as part-time writing. Read more »