Why don't you leave the lights on?

@Sheepie (3112)
United States
November 19, 2008 4:57pm CST
I was just here and my dad said to shut off some of the lights because it was money down the drain. What I'm curious about is, are most people concerned the most about the electric bill or the environment when it comes to conserving energy? Be honest! What is your first priority?
2 people like this
21 responses
20 Nov 08
I couldn't sleep on a night without lights, I always had nightmares in the dark. Yes, some people are trying to cut their electric bills by turning the lights off during the night. But you can use a lampshade, it won't cost too much power as normal lights for the whole house. My most concern is the bills because it means spending money, but still I need to leave my lampshade on so I can some light during when I am asleep.
@Sheepie (3112)
• United States
20 Nov 08
Well, most people are accustomed to sleeping in the dark, some can't sleep with any lights at all! I can't say the same for me, as I had a wonderful nap in Algebra this morning.
@redhotpogo (4401)
• United States
19 Nov 08
The electric bill. You can save the environment by turning off your lights. That's a myth. Even if your lights are off that energy is still being exhausted. So its money that you are saving. The only way it would be for the environment would be if the power company shutdown when you turned off your lights.
• United States
19 Nov 08
(you can't)
• Sweden
20 Nov 08
I am worried about both. Though I'm not the one who pays the electric bill in my household, so then I'm probably a bit more concerned about the environment. But it's good to be concerned about either (probably better to be concerned about the environment in the long run), as both of them makes you cut down on the current.
• Japan
20 Nov 08
Me and your dad are most likely the same. Im also concern in conserving energy. Everytime Im going out I make sure that I turn off the lights and unplug some of the electric appliances. It not just help the environment it also lessen my electric bill.
@ladynetz (968)
• Canada
30 Nov 08
Sure you want to make the best thing for everyone, but first is your pocket. So if you're not using the room, just switch the light off.The bill is lower and the usage of the bulb is higher. With what you save on a hydro bill, you can buy some many other things...just think about it.
• United States
20 Nov 08
Am I making things up or did the Mythbusters prove that it actually saves energy to leave the lights on? If I remember the episode correctly, the theory was that more energy was used to turn on the light than to just leave them on. And I think they proved it. It was a minuscule difference but still a difference. So, really, it's better for the environment to leave them on. *shrug*
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I worry most about the bill. We have enough bills and they are high enough already. I do wish to save the environment, but the environment doesn't bill me monthly LOL.
• Philippines
20 Nov 08
i am concern with it.. as our professor had told us that the more we are using the enrgy, light energy, more coal or more resources is being used and in return it is being damaged. and that we should be conserving them.. i am doing this in our apartment too. to turn off the lights when it is not nedded.. it is very much important my friend.. thanks.. and one thing, it will help you save money too...
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
20 Nov 08
honestly I worry more about the electric bill when it comes to the lights. I am however concerned about the environment, I recycle, dont litter and I use the energy efficient lightbulbs.
• United States
20 Nov 08
Both, most importantly the electric bill then the environment. Since i have little ones i'm constantly telling them to turn off lights or walkng thru the house to make sure there all off. Otherwise they'd be on forever. LOL
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
20 Nov 08
My first concern is my bank account! Sure, I'd like to be earth friendly, the planet's been good to me, but my finances are important. I'm "green" only if it doesn't cost me money and I try harder if it saves me money.
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
19 Nov 08
My first priority is can I see where I am going in the house. If so, can I do the same with less light? I do worry about the electric bill. Anywhere I can cut down the amount of money going out is a great thing to me
@crazydaisy (3896)
• Canada
20 Nov 08
I agree with you because it's only once a year it should not matter. cd
@zalilame (880)
• Malaysia
19 Nov 08
I don't really think about the money or environment first. Its kinda become a habit to switch off lights when nobody is around. I get a hollow feeling to see empty spaces.
• United States
19 Nov 08
I'm concerned about both. I currently don't pay an electric bill but I turn the lights off in good taste but it does waste someone's money and it does harm the environment when you use too much electricty (or too much of anything).
@babyfuzz (1078)
• Philippines
19 Nov 08
Hi, Sheepie.. funny.. my dad is the same. He's an electrician so he's familiar about how much electricity we are consuming. He's a very thrift person, especially when it comes to electricity. He is also an environmentalist, so I can say that he's very much into conserving energy. I got used to living like that. Whenever I leave the room, I have to shut off the unused appliances.. But there are exceptions at times. Like when dad is trying to save for example the light bulb. He said it's better to leave it on if I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm not exactly sure if he's conserving the energy or the life span of the light bulb. Well, maybe both. I have to ask him again..
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
19 Nov 08
I would have to say the environment. I guess I'll be the first in your responders to say that. I don't like destroying the environment, and so we use good old fashioned sunlight until the last rays of the day, and then we turn on the lights for night... then in the morning same thing.
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
19 Nov 08
Probably the first thing that comes to mind is the huge electricity bill! I remember my Dad saying the same thing to me and I thought he was a fuddy-duddy. Now I say it to my son, because as soon as he walks into his room after work he puts on the light, telly, computer, guitar amp and phone charger. Go figure? When he's paying for it, maybe he'll decide you don't really need the light on when it's a bright, sunny day!
• Philippines
19 Nov 08
I am sharing my apartment with 2 officemates. I am concerned about the electric bill. We pay about P1,000 ($32) a month for our electric bill. My housemates and I used to pay half as much when we leave the lights on as we go to work.
19 Nov 08
Hi Sheepie, Most people are more interested in their electricty bills then the environment, I am always switching lights off and when I go to bed I pull athe pugs out as I am more concern with our enviroment and recycle most hosehold rubbish too. Tamara