Kitchen lighting

[starrs]

Sorry, not sure where to post this question.

We have a long strip light in our kitchen. Is it true that it is cheaper to leave the light on all the time rather than constantly switching it on and off when needed during the day.

Thanks.

[ethandron]

i can't imagine it would be, but don't know for sure. we're all being encouraged to switch lights off to save energy - save energy, save money i'd have thought.

[buildersmate]

It's an urban myth. Whilst true that the starter on a fluorescent uses a bit more electricity than when it is running, the flashes on start-up only last a second or so. So the light sits there wasted electricity for most of the time it is not wanted.

[wildwood]

You're in the right category and by all means, switch off when not in the kitchen. I don't know where the fable about leaving fluorescent on came from but you hear it all the time.

[bricks]

I've heard that switching on a fluorescent tube uses about 5 mins worth of the electricity that the light uses when on.
So if your going to be back in the kitchen within 5 min leave it on, otherwise switch it off.
There will be extra use of the starter but they are much cheaper than the 100s or 1,000s of hours of electricity that you would use if you didn't switch off.

[starrs]

Thanks everyone for your answers.

That problem is now solved.