Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: neilep on 26/08/2007 14:24:02
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Dear Lighting Lords ( and Ladies)
This is a Fluorescent Light !
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chem4kids.com%2Fmisc%2Fphotos%2Ffluorescent01.jpg&hash=0d0f115b0e4a790a487ebbf2725a0bc5)
Nice isn't it ?...we have it in our kitchen !
Fluorescent lighting is well cheap yes ?.....(compared to a conventional bulb)
...and am I right in thinking that (in addition to efficiency) because there is no ' element ' very little deleterious effect is done to the bulb when you turn it on...
So, my question is.....once we turn the light on ....do we really need to think about turning it off until the end of the day ?
Whajafink ?
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There is a starter type of mechanism built into the system which needs changing every now and again due to you switching it on and off,but yes you should turn it off as your wasting electricity if you leave it on for no reason.
I don't like Fluorescent lighting though, I have one in the bathroom and if you sit and relax in the bath you can notice it flickering.
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There is a starter type of mechanism built into the system which needs changing every now and again due to you switching it on and off,but yes you should turn it off as your wasting electricity if you leave it on for no reason.
I don't like Fluorescent lighting though, I have one in the bathroom and if you sit and relax in the bath you can notice it flickering.
THANK YOU MICHAEL,
We do tend in fact do the greener option and turn the light off when not in use. I always thought they were far greener than conventional bulbs and do seem to last for ages and ages !!
I'm OK with our light..I can't say I notice it flickering though.....
Cheers Matey.
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But there is a downside, Neil. You will remain in the dark.
But then you have been in the dark all of your life so it wouldn't matter anyway! [::)]
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You Know just a note our local electrical company consumer stuff has Always said that turning on a fluorescent light is approximately 25 to 30cent every time you flick it off. They have told us the conservation part of florescent tubing comes from leaving it on.. it cost far less for the whole day then it would for you to switch it off and on several times a day! Less is not always better!
This does not hold true for incandescent lighting. Far cheaper to turn them off and on as needed , but not with florescent! We have been told to leave them on till evening as a conservation method as they pull so much power when powering up. After they are on they are very efficient!!
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But there is a downside, Neil. You will remain in the dark.
But then you have been in the dark all of your life so it wouldn't matter anyway! [::)]
Fortunately I have the power of illuminated wax !!(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fcandle%2F1.gif&hash=5a3feefa650ffd074b99592931427648)
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I think it waste's about the same amount of electricity that leaving it on for 15 minutes for no reason would so unless you are going back into the room within 15 minutes then your best bet is to turn it off.
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You Know just a note our local electrical company consumer stuff has Always said that turning on a fluorescent light is approximately 25 to 30cent every time you flick it off. They have told us the conservation part of florescent tubing comes from leaving it on.. it cost far less for the whole day then it would for you to switch it off and on several times a day! Less is not always better!
This does not hold true for incandescent lighting. Far cheaper to turn them off and on as needed , but not with florescent! We have been told to leave them on till evening as a conservation method as they pull so much power when powering up. After they are on they are very efficient!!
Ohhhh !!..This is what I originally thought !!!
Hmmmmmmmmmm !!...now what do I do..
two of my most trusted mentors give conflicted advice....
I know I'll ask Patricia my pet pineapple...she's bright !!
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I think it waste's about the same amount of electricity that leaving it on for 15 minutes for no reason would so unless you are going back into the room within 15 minutes then your best bet is to turn it off.
Ok...that sounds cool....so, perhaps that once it's on...we should just leave it on till it's time for lights out !!
THANK YOU
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You Know just a note our local electrical company consumer stuff has Always said that turning on a fluorescent light is approximately 25 to 30cent every time you flick it off. They have told us the conservation part of florescent tubing comes from leaving it on.. it cost far less for the whole day then it would for you to switch it off and on several times a day! Less is not always better!
This does not hold true for incandescent lighting. Far cheaper to turn them off and on as needed , but not with florescent! We have been told to leave them on till evening as a conservation method as they pull so much power when powering up. After they are on they are very efficient!!
Ohhhh !!..This is what I originally thought !!!
Hmmmmmmmmmm !!...now what do I do..
two of my most trusted mentors give conflicted advice....
I know I'll ask Patricia my pet pineapple...she's bright !!
Yes Patricia will do You..She gives good Advice!!! LOL
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pet pineapple?
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I think it waste's about the same amount of electricity that leaving it on for 15 minutes for no reason would so unless you are going back into the room within 15 minutes then your best bet is to turn it off.
Ok...that sounds cool....so, perhaps that once it's on...we should just leave it on till it's time for lights out !!
THANK YOU
Check this link Neily has good info!
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/txgard/con041654063245.html
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pet pineapple?
Check the favourite animal thread !!...DoctorBeaver even gave her a makeover for me!!
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I think it waste's about the same amount of electricity that leaving it on for 15 minutes for no reason would so unless you are going back into the room within 15 minutes then your best bet is to turn it off.
Ok...that sounds cool....so, perhaps that once it's on...we should just leave it on till it's time for lights out !!
THANK YOU
Only if someone is going back into the room within about 15 minutes, otherwise turn it off.
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I think it waste's about the same amount of electricity that leaving it on for 15 minutes for no reason would so unless you are going back into the room within 15 minutes then your best bet is to turn it off.
Ok...that sounds cool....so, perhaps that once it's on...we should just leave it on till it's time for lights out !!
THANK YOU
Check this link Neily has good info!
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/txgard/con041654063245.html
WOW !!..they've gone into detail...thanks Karen.
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I think it waste's about the same amount of electricity that leaving it on for 15 minutes for no reason would so unless you are going back into the room within 15 minutes then your best bet is to turn it off.
Ok...that sounds cool....so, perhaps that once it's on...we should just leave it on till it's time for lights out !!
THANK YOU
Only if someone is going back into the room within about 15 minutes, otherwise turn it off.
THANKS MICHAEL...being the kitchen...it's the most used room in the house....it's very out of use for as long as fifteen minutes !!
THANK YOU again for the advice.
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I think it waste's about the same amount of electricity that leaving it on for 15 minutes for no reason would so unless you are going back into the room within 15 minutes then your best bet is to turn it off.
it cost far less for the whole day then it would for you to switch it off and on several times a day! Less is not always better!
unless i misread your answers (quite possibly), i can say you are both wrong. This stuff has been doing the rounds as long as the fake moon landings
where does this massive electricity usage come from when turning the light on, and how is the usage of just turning the light on equal to 15 minutes of running the light?
how long does it take for light your bulb/tube to come on? lets say half a second. so 15 minutes has 900 seconds in it, if we times that by 2 for half a second we get 1800 half seconds. if you then use a 100watt bulb you would then use (1800 x 100)180,000 watts of power just to turn your light on! does that sound right? NO.
a 100 watt bulb, left on for 10 hours uses 1 kilowatt of electricity, yet just turning it on uses far more! the figrues just dont add up.
turning your light on uses virtually nothing in electricity consumption.
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I think it waste's about the same amount of electricity that leaving it on for 15 minutes for no reason would so unless you are going back into the room within 15 minutes then your best bet is to turn it off.
OK...that sounds cool....so, perhaps that once it's on...we should just leave it on till it's time for lights out !!
THANK YOU
Check this link Neily has good info!
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/txgard/con041654063245.html
WOW !!..they've gone into detail...thanks Karen.
Your welcome.. See I am learning something about electricity and stuff.. some things stick in the mud of my gray matter.. LOL But not always! HEE HEE!You never know people are always changing the view though so whats right one time is wrong two years later!
The did go into detail. We took out the florescents from our living room as they were to harsh with fabrics carpets etc. The kitchen I have recessed florescent and love them as they provide great light when cooking and add an ere of space and openness in my tiny kitchen!its about 12 x 14
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Paul
I read it somewhere. A fluorescent light bulb is suppose to use a lot of energy to initially turn on due to the way its starts up.
i will do some hunting to see who is right.
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Paul
I read it somewhere. A fluorescent light bulb is suppose to use a lot of energy to initially turn on due to the way its starts up.
i will do some hunting to see who is right.
Michael,
as you know i am always wrong, and my poor grammar and construction in the reply does not help. But on this one i am sure i am right.
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No Paul you are right as a fluorescent light bulb only uses about 1.5 times their normal wattage for a couple of seconds after start up. So in other words when you walk out the room turn it off.
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http://www.1000bulbs.com/category.php?category=14&utm_source=0&utm_medium=0&gclid=CLHc6or_k44CFVB1OAodaiuFFA
Fluorescent Bulbs 101
1. How do they work?
The process begins with a stream of electrons flowing between both ends of the bulb. The electrons interact with mercury vapor atoms that are floating inside the lamp. This sends the mercury atoms into a state of excitement. When they try to return to their usual state, photons of light are released. When these photons collide with the phosphor coating on the lining of the bulb, light is created.
2. How is this process different from the way light is created with regular incandescent light bulbs?
When light is created in ordinary light bulbs it is done through a process that emits heat. In regular bulbs, electricity heats the tungsten filaments inside the lamp.The filaments try to resist the electricity and this resistance is what causes the heat. The heat makes the filament turn "white hot," at which point, light is visible. Because the incandescent lights give off so much heat they require more electricity which results in higher costs for the consumer.
3. Do incandescent and fluorescent bulbs of the same wattage produce the same amount of light?
No, it only takes a 15-watt fluorescent bulb to produces the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
4. Conclusion?
Fluorescent bulbs are four times more efficient than regular incandescent bulbs and will also save you money in energy costs.
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try again, paul. this time with better construction.
you turn your light switch on, yes there is a surge in electricity until the light is lit and the usage evens out. we choose to use a 100 watt bulb because it makes the maths easier - for me.
constant 10 hour usage uses 1kwh of electricity, yet people say that just by turning it on is the equivalent of 15 minutes of the light being on. so if you turn your light on and off 40 times that should also use 1kwh of electricity. try it, and check your electric meter before and after the "experiment". there is no way that you will have used 1kwh of electricty.
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No Paul you are right
sorry, michael. i was typing slowly as you replied, but i did want to see that i was right in quots. it seldom happens (wink)
note: how do you type winks and stuff when there are no smilies to choose?
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just like that
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just like that
thank you, Tommy Cooper!
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How was that!
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who is tommy cooper?
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How was that!
but what do they mean? i never use these things except here, and when doing quick replies there are no smilies!!!! i think i am showing my age (sad face, frown)
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it is one open eye and winking.. whoops I have one wrong..
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I'm totally kerfuddled buy your confabulations !
For Kadie http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Cooper
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or just a semi colon and one of these guys )
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I agree about the power aspect of flourescent lighting but there is also the lifetime aspect frquent turning on and of uses up the lifetime of the bulb because of the high stesses during start up. this is also true of filament bulbs and quartz halogen ones
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There can't be much of 'power surge' when you switch on... It is either too small or too fast a 'spike' (maybe both) to trip out the 5 Amp circuit breaker which most of us have on the lighting circuit these days.
Even the full 14 kW max household supply for 5 secs is only 0.02 kWh but a 100 Watt load on for 10 hours is 1 kWh.
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Fluorescent light in an eating-area may help slimming - by making food look less appetising. Chips appear a greeny-yellow, carrots just look wrong, and curry/casserole/stew brown comes out a greeny-brown yuk!
Ok, not everyone notices it, but I do!
At the moment I have tungsten in the kitchen and the dining room, but a compact-fluorescent in the hallway. It is striking how much the appearance of the food changes as I take my plate from the kitchen through the hallway to the dining room.