Saving Electricity?

I've noticed recently that my Mom has been super nitpicky about lights being turned on and off. Besides the washroom, whenever a light is only on for a few minutes, my Mom insists that the light be kept on because if you turn it on then off in a very short period of time, you are wasting electricity and reducing the life of the light bulb. For example, I go to my room and turn on the lights to change my clothes, and then when I leave I turn it off. My Mom complains that I am wasting power and light bulbs... I honestly don't believe this but I'm just wondering what everybody here thinks.

Huh.

Flipping a switch doesn't drain any electricity. Then again, I'm no expert on light bulb life.

They tested this on MythBusters. :o

From Wikipedia:

Myth statement Status Notes

Leaving a light on will save electricity. Busted Through numerous tests, the MythBusters calculated that the power surge from turning on a light would only consume as much power as leaving it on for a fraction of a second (except for fluorescent tube lights; the startup consumed about 23 seconds' worth of power). Furthermore, the wear and tear of turning the light on and off repeatedly did not reduce the bulb's total life expectancy enough to offset the increased electricity usage. Therefore, it is far more economical to turn a light off rather than leaving it on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(2006_season)

I've always been taught to turn off lights when I don't need them. But, my brother told me that it kills a camera's battery if you switch it on and off often/rapidly. So maybe your Mom just heard something like that and applied it to lights.

I have no evidence or any actual proof, so take it as you will.

I've always been taught to turn off lights when I don't need them. But, my brother told me that it kills a camera's battery if you switch it on and off often/rapidly. So maybe your Mom just heard something like that and applied it to lights.

I have no evidence or any actual proof, so take it as you will.

That actually helps the battery. I find that when my camera says "Low Battery" and auto-shuts off, turning it on then off again will make it work for a short period of time.

However, to Kevin, turning on and off a light bulb rapidly does in fact decrease it's lifespan, as evidence from my childhood experiences that doing so may make the light snap and the coil break. However, just turning it off on and off in normal circumstances will not do anything. Only in rapid succession...

They tested this on MythBusters. :o

From Wikipedia:

Myth statement Status Notes

Leaving a light on will save electricity. Busted Through numerous tests, the MythBusters calculated that the power surge from turning on a light would only consume as much power as leaving it on for a fraction of a second (except for fluorescent tube lights; the startup consumed about 23 seconds' worth of power). Furthermore, the wear and tear of turning the light on and off repeatedly did not reduce the bulb's total life expectancy enough to offset the increased electricity usage. Therefore, it is far more economical to turn a light off rather than leaving it on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(2006_season)

Heh, that's exactly what I was hoping for f3

However, to Kevin, turning on and off a light bulb rapidly does in fact decrease it's lifespan, as evidence from my childhood experiences that doing so may make the light snap and the coil break.

It's just at highest risk of breaking when you turn it on, so the more often you flip it the sooner it'll break. It'll still last about as long, if you left it on.

They tested this on MythBusters. :o

From Wikipedia:

Myth statement Status Notes

Leaving a light on will save electricity. Busted Through numerous tests, the MythBusters calculated that the power surge from turning on a light would only consume as much power as leaving it on for a fraction of a second (except for fluorescent tube lights; the startup consumed about 23 seconds' worth of power). Furthermore, the wear and tear of turning the light on and off repeatedly did not reduce the bulb's total life expectancy enough to offset the increased electricity usage. Therefore, it is far more economical to turn a light off rather than leaving it on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MythBusters_(2006_season)

It's just at highest risk of breaking when you turn it on, so the more often you flip it the sooner it'll break. It'll still last about as long, if you left it on.

Wait, what?