Do You Turn Off LED Bulbs?

[retiredguy123]

I have a 50-watt equivalent LED light bulb in my living room table lamp, that actually only uses 7 watts of power. I used to turn off the lamp whenever I left the house. But, I recently calculated that I could leave the lamp on for 12 hours every day and it would only cost $2.75 in electricity for the entire year. So, I no longer turn off the lamp when I leave the house. It still feels weird though and my parents are probably turning over in their graves. Do you always turn off LED bulbs when you leave a room or the house?

[Stu from NYC]

Yes

Thinking I am conditioned not to waste electricity.

[laryb]

I set up my Philips Hue bulbs with the IFTTT app to turn on at 15 minutes before sunset, and shut off at 11:30P. The front room lights start at 100% and drop to 50% at sunset We have them on in the rooms we don't use because it's so economical. It gives the illusion of someone being home, even when we're not. When we installed the LED landscape lights, the electrician told us if we run them 4-6 hrs. a night, it's around $15 a year.

[stevecmo]

I don't think I could re-train myself to NOT turn the lights off when I leave a room or leave the house.

We do have smart bulbs that we turn on and off either remotely or via programs to give the illusions we're home.

[tophcfa]

I still keep trying to turn off the lights all the time, but it’s often the solar tubes. I always turn off all lights not being used, even the electric sipping LED’s. It comes from a lifetime of conditioning.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

since we can't store electricity on a massive scale, and since every system has a maximum, generation output, and since most of the electricity is not created from renewable sources, shutting the lights off when not needed will help conserve the generation material which is being used to create the electricity. Our resources are not unlimited.

but then its a free country, so with enough money you can do whatever you want to do,

[TrapX]

I have a 50-watt equivalent LED light bulb in my living room table lamp, that actually only uses 7 watts of power. I used to turn off the lamp whenever I left the house. But, I recently calculated that I could leave the lamp on for 12 hours every day and it would only cost $2.75 in electricity for the entire year. So, I no longer turn off the lamp when I leave the house. It still feels weird though and my parents are probably turning over in their graves. Do you always turn off LED bulbs when you leave a room or the house?

7 watts x 24 hours x 365 days = 61320 watts per year
61320 watts === 61.320 kilowatts per year
61.320 kilowatts x $0.15 per kw = $9.20 per year (if on 24 hours)

Same math for 12 hours = $4.60 per year

I use $0.15 per kw because I also include base fees and other fees. Take total bill and divide by total kw for that number.

[RICH1]

Fixed income requires all my Lamps and Lights to be turned off… LED is the reason I can enjoy a couple 2 for 1 drinks at Cody’s …

[Toymeister]

What is especially SHOCKING to me is the OP, who is a regular poster known for his frugality, is willing to spend an additional $2.75 a year. Thanks to proper mathematics by TrapX Retiredguy has been given the real cost of leaving the LED on.

So the real question is will Retiredguy now shut off his light? We are talking real money now, nearly TEN dollars annually.

Retiredguy: don't risk your hard fought reputation as a cheapskate, shut off that light!

[MartinSE]

Why not? It's not a lot of work, they serve no purpose while I sleep - well, some people feel they act as a thief deterrent if you program them to go on and off and if someone is up and walking around.

Someone calculated 64kw per year. So, if 100 million homes left on the LEDs that would add up to 6.4 Billion watts. That is about the amount of 2 - 500 Megawatt coal fired power plants that we could shut down. Every little bit helps.

[Nucky]

It's in my DNA to turn off that light!

I've gotten calls from friends who see the light bulb in the doorbell is on and call me to alert me that I'm spending (wasting) my money!

They missed that the light pole in front of the house is blazing all night. :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[retiredguy123]

7 watts x 24 hours x 365 days = 61320 watts per year
61320 watts === 61.320 kilowatts per year
61.320 kilowatts x $0.15 per kw = $9.20 per year (if on 24 hours)

Same math for 12 hours = $4.60 per year

I use $0.15 per kw because I also include base fees and other fees. Take total bill and divide by total kw for that number.
Here is my calculation:

7 watts/1000 x $0.089879/kwh x 12 hours/day x 365 days = $2.75

According to the Leesburg Electric Company, this is the total additional cost to my bill for using a 7 watt light bulb. So, I don't see any reason to add the fixed costs that are applied to every bill regardless of your consumption.

[retiredguy123]

What is especially SHOCKING to me is the OP, who is a regular poster known for his frugality, is willing to spend an additional $2.75 a year. Thanks to proper mathematics by TrapX Retiredguy has been given the real cost of leaving the LED on.

So the real question is will Retiredguy now shut off his light? We are talking real money now, nearly TEN dollars annually.

Retiredguy: don't risk your hard fought reputation as a cheapskate, shut off that light!
Yes, that would be real money, but I don't agree with the calculation in Post No. 7. See Post No. 12. And, the actual savings would be less than $2.75 because I would still need to use the light bulb when I am in the house and not sleeping. But, I will take your suggestion under consideration.

Note that this thread was posted in "just for fun". But, I do find it amazing that some people are still using incandescent light bulbs.

[Topspinmo]

I have a 50-watt equivalent LED light bulb in my living room table lamp, that actually only uses 7 watts of power. I used to turn off the lamp whenever I left the house. But, I recently calculated that I could leave the lamp on for 12 hours every day and it would only cost $2.75 in electricity for the entire year. So, I no longer turn off the lamp when I leave the house. It still feels weird though and my parents are probably turning over in their graves. Do you always turn off LED bulbs when you leave a room or the house?

Yes, and no. When I leave for couple days I put them on timer’s.

[Topspinmo]

What is especially SHOCKING to me is the OP, who is a regular poster known for his frugality, is willing to spend an additional $2.75 a year. Thanks to proper mathematics by TrapX Retiredguy has been given the real cost of leaving the LED on.

So the real question is will Retiredguy now shut off his light? We are talking real money now, nearly TEN dollars annually.

Retiredguy: don't risk your hard fought reputation as a cheapskate, shut off that light!

Now that rare coming from somebody who squeaks when the walk….:)

Now that know the real cost, I’ll be shutting mine off. :faint:

[MrFlorida]

Been conditioned over the years not to waste energy, so, I would turn it off.

[Toymeister]

Yes, that would be real money, but I don't agree with the calculation in Post No. 7. See Post No. 12. And, the actual savings would be less than $2.75 because I would still need to use the light bulb when I am in the house and not sleeping. But, I will take your suggestion under consideration.

Note that this thread was posted in "just for fun". But, I do find it amazing that some people are still using incandescent light bulbs.

So, if this was. 24 hours on question, would you shut the light off? 7x24x365 =61,320 watts or 61.320 kilowatts

61.32 x $.0898732 = $5.51.

So, Retiredguy, as a recipient of the Retiredguy "You're Cheap!" Award (a distinction that I am very proud of) is over FIVE dollars enough to shut off the light?

[Michael G.]

On a related note, did anyone figure the electrical usage for all those green lights that glow on microwaves, computers, charging devices, clocks on appliances, lights that glow on garages door openers.

I remember reading once those earlier appliances took a lot of electric power just standing-by.

I swear when I walk around the house at night, I don't need any additional lighting.

[Stu from NYC]

On a related note, did anyone figure the electrical usage for all those green lights that glow on microwaves, computers, charging devices, clocks on appliances, lights that glow on garages door openers.

I remember reading once those earlier appliances took a lot of electric power just standing-by.

I swear when I walk around the house at night, I don't need any additional lighting.

True all of those lights do work well as night lights.

[retiredguy123]

So, if this was. 24 hours on question, would you shut the light off? 7x24x365 =61,320 watts or 61.320 kilowatts

61.32 x $.0898732 = $5.51.

So, Retiredguy, as a recipient of the Retiredguy "You're Cheap!" Award (a distinction that I am very proud of) is over FIVE dollars enough to shut off the light?
In that case, I would need to consider buying a timer or a programmable wifi plug.

[jimjamuser]

since we can't store electricity on a massive scale, and since every system has a maximum, generation output, and since most of the electricity is not created from renewable sources, shutting the lights off when not needed will help conserve the generation material which is being used to create the electricity. Our resources are not unlimited.

but then its a free country, so with enough money you can do whatever you want to do,
If a person is worried about wasting energy, they need NOT be concerned about how long they leave a LED light turned on.
They can save significant money and cut down on pollution by buying a battery-powered lawnmower. And trading that old gas-guzzling golf car for an electric model. And riding around the local Village area on a bicycle or E-bike. Then go all the way with a hybrid or electric car or truck. That would save several thousand times the energy as compared with if you do or do not switch off your LED bulbs. It is just a big picture or a small picture situation.

[Madelaine Amee]

My other half just cannot walk past a light switch without turning it off. He also tries to turn off the light from the solar tubes. It's built into our age group.

[EviesGP]

After converting our kitchen overhead lights into LEDs, I opted to leave the one(single) over the sink, on(constantly).
Well, that worked, until after I realized they still burn out, and had to replace it. So, I've now decided to turn it off at night.
The cost for wattage may be cheap, but the replacement isn't.

[Stu from NYC]

After converting our kitchen overhead lights into LEDs, I opted to leave the one(single) over the sink, on(constantly).
Well, that worked, until after I realized they still burn out, and had to replace it. So, I've now decided to turn it off at night.
The cost for wattage may be cheap, but the replacement isn't.

Very true kind of a pain to haul in a ladder from garage to replace bulb. Harder with 10 ft ceiling

[Luggage]

My thoughts are simple, ecologically it's better to turn them off and it means more money for my grandchildren. I have an outside strip of 5 watt bulbs . , About $5 a month, I use a light sensor and save $$$$ yearly . We can't do every thing, but do try

[Luggage]

As one person said , get a smart led bulb, now under $5 and let it turn itself on and off. 25-50000 hours life, it could a decade before you need a year one.

[MandoMan]

What is especially SHOCKING to me is the OP, who is a regular poster known for his frugality, is willing to spend an additional $2.75 a year. Thanks to proper mathematics by TrapX Retiredguy has been given the real cost of leaving the LED on.

So the real question is will Retiredguy now shut off his light? We are talking real money now, nearly TEN dollars annually.

Retiredguy: don't risk your hard fought reputation as a cheapskate, shut off that light!

Laughing. I’m not one of those who can turn on lights throughout the house unless I have company. Usually I have one light on in the room where I’m sitting, and the rest of the house is in darkness, except for a number of 0.5 watt nightlights to help me see where I’m going. And I have LED lights throughout the house.

[maggie1]

I have a 50-watt equivalent LED light bulb in my living room table lamp, that only uses 7 watts of power. I used to turn off the lamp whenever I left the house. But, I recently calculated that I could leave the lamp on for 12 hours every day and it would only cost $2.75 in electricity for the entire year. So, I no longer turn off the lamp when I leave the house. It still feels weird though and my parents are probably turning over in their graves. Do you always turn off LED bulbs when you leave a room or the house?

I'd turn the light off if it was only using a third of the power that your bulb does. It's not about the money-saving, it's our way of reducing our carbon footprint. Multiply the $2.75 cost of your electricity by the millions of people with the same product and mindset and it becomes an unnecessary drain on the grid. I would say there are times when leaving the light on would be advantageous such as leaving your home for an extended period. Place the light(s) on a timer and make it appear you are in residence for safety of the property.

[thevillages2013]

Clap on clap off. THE CLAPPER. Remember those?

[Stu from NYC]

Clap on clap off. THE CLAPPER. Remember those?

At one point my wife worked for Telebrands who sold all that made for TV stuff.

She brought home almost all the stuff she sold and almost all was a one and done. Only good thing was the Ginzu knives which were pretty good and somewhere along the line disappeared.

[Speedie]

Why not turn off or at least dim all the street lighting after about 10 pm?? Think about all the lighted road signs that run all night. And when do the squares shut down lighting?
How about the giant villages signs on the cart bridges?

Lots of ways to save power and trim costs

We are all paying for these power bills somehow in fees or taxes

[CCristella]

OMG join a club,find something to do…..get a life!!!!!

[Retiredsteve]

Why not? It's not a lot of work, they serve no purpose while I sleep - well, some people feel they act as a thief deterrent if you program them to go on and off and if someone is up and walking around.

Someone calculated 64kw per year. So, if 100 million homes left on the LEDs that would add up to 6.4 Billion watts. That is about the amount of 2 - 500 Megawatt coal fired power plants that we could shut down. Every little bit helps. Watch how many people defend their right to waste.

[TrapX]

So, if this was. 24 hours on question, would you shut the light off? 7x24x365 =61,320 watts or 61.320 kilowatts

61.32 x $.0898732 = $5.51.

So, Retiredguy, as a recipient of the Retiredguy "You're Cheap!" Award (a distinction that I am very proud of) is over FIVE dollars enough to shut off the light?

Your rate of $.089 /kwh is well below the typical norms.
That might be for the energy only, and does not include a delivery fee, and roughly 15% in taxes. Those would apply to incremental usage calcs

[Stu from NYC]

OMG join a club,find something to do…..get a life!!!!!

Found this thread to be rather interesting sorry you feel it is a waste of time.

[LianneMigiano]

I swear when I walk around the house at night, I don't need any additional lighting.
You may change your mind if /when you stub your toe or fall and injure yourself in the dark.

[kathyspear]

You may change your mind if /when you stub your toe or fall and injure yourself in the dark.

After sunset I insist that we keep a light on in our master bathroom because it also lights up the bedroom somewhat. I, too, am afraid of tripping over something as I walk through/into those dark rooms (cat, cat toy, whatever) and breaking a hip. It’s money well spent, IMO.

k.

[retiredguy123]

After sunset I insist that we keep a light on in our master bathroom because it also lights up the bedroom somewhat. I, too, am afraid of tripping over something as I walk through/into those dark rooms (cat, cat toy, whatever) and breaking a hip. It’s money well spent, IMO.

k.
I would suggest that you buy at least one or two plug in emergency lights that will double as rechargeable flashlights when the power goes off. I have several night lights, but it didn't occur to me that, when there is a power outage, everything goes off. Last year, I was left in total darkness during a power outage, and I had to feel my way around until I located one of my flashlights. Now, I have two emergency flashlights that automatically come on when the power goes off. They illuminate the room and can be used as a flashlight. They were only about 10 dollars each on Amazon.

[MartinSE]

On a related note, did anyone figure the electrical usage for all those green lights that glow on microwaves, computers, charging devices, clocks on appliances, lights that glow on garages door openers.

I remember reading once those earlier appliances took a lot of electric power just standing-by.

I swear when I walk around the house at night, I don't need any additional lighting.

Those are known as parasitic or idle loads. They are a major source of waste in this country, and some companies are working to reduce them:

-----
There has been a veritable explosion in the number of electronics, appliances, and other equipment plugged into, or permanently connected to, America’s homes—65 devices on average in our study. Most are consuming electricity around-the-clock, even when the owners are not using them or think they have been turned off. This always-on energy use by inactive devices translates to approximately $19 billion a year—about $165 per U.s. household on average—and 50 large (500-megawatt) power plants’ worth of electricity.

https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/home-idle-load-IP.pdf

[villagetinker]

We converted every lamp in our house from the original (130v incandescent) to LED back in 2013, bought Cree LED lamps with a 10 year warranty (actually had 3 replaced!), and we continue to turn off unused lights to this day. Several are on timers or other automated controls, the rest are manual. We also have several LED nightlights for late evening trips to the bathroom or fridge.

[dougawhite]

If you truly want to contribute to reducing electric use then focus on your big items, not small ones. Your A/C is the biggest hog. Set your daytime temp to 78 or more. If you don't do that than you're all talk and no action when it concerns reducing electricity usage.

[Two Bills]

If everyone reduced their consumption, the power companies would probably raise prices to cove lost profits!:shrug:

[MartinSE]

After sunset I insist that we keep a light on in our master bathroom because it also lights up the bedroom somewhat. I, too, am afraid of tripping over something as I walk through/into those dark rooms (cat, cat toy, whatever) and breaking a hip. It’s money well spent, IMO.

k.

I completely agree with you.

We have motion sensing night lights in every room. I prefer to think of it as being cautious, not afraid. Expect everyone knows someone that fell and broke something, a hip, leg, etc. And never fully recovered at our age.

I prefer to not live my live in fear, but that doesn't mean I don't take precautions I didn't take when I was younger.

[MartinSE]

If you truly want to contribute to reducing electric use then focus on your big items, not small ones. Your A/C is the biggest hog. Set your daytime temp to 78 or more. If you don't do that than you're all talk and no action when it concerns reducing electricity usage.

Why either/or? I don't know about other people, but I can do more than one thing at a time. I agree with raising your thermo stat. Anything above 72 is a good thing. Each of us can do their part.

[MartinSE]

If everyone reduced their consumption, the power companies would probably raise prices to cove lost profits!:shrug:

Well, yeah, and in Florida FPL is fighting home solar. And for a good reason, they paid a lot of money to build out the infrastructure to get the power from their plant to your (everyones) home. The business model calls for amortizing that over a long period of consumption. If people reduce their usage and/or switch to solar then the power company is stuck trying to pay off the huge bill they incurred putting all those wires up.

However, they are a sanctioned monopoly, so we do get some say in how they operate, and we need to exercise that say by voting for forward people that are not in the power companies pockets. I know that is a pipe dream, but I can always hope.

The BEST electrical solution is distributed generation (houses with solar wherever possible) and the "power company" eventually being phased out and all those power lines removed and recycled.