I saw someone use Bard here yesterday, so I wanted to give it a try too.
I asked Bard (it's called Gemini now), what is better, more economical.. turn the lights off when you're not in the room (multiple times a day), or leave them on.
Here is the answer I got:
In most cases, turning lights off when not in use is more economical than leaving them on even with multiple on/off cycles per day. Here's why:
Myth Busting: The old adage that turning lights on and off uses more energy than leaving them on is just a myth. Modern, efficient light bulbs use a negligible amount of energy during the brief surge when turning on. This energy spike is significantly less than the continuous power used while on, even for short periods.
Key Factors:
Type of Bulb: Incandescent bulbs, though less common now, were the culprits behind this myth. They used a filament that heated up, wasting energy during on/off cycles. Modern LED bulbs and CFLs don't have this issue.
On/Off Duration: If you're leaving lights on for mere seconds and turning them off frequently, it might negate the benefits. However, for most practical scenarios where lights are off for minutes or longer, turning them off saves energy.
Additional considerations:
Bulb lifespan: Frequent on/off cycles can slightly reduce the lifespan of some bulbs, especially older models. However, the energy saved generally outweighs this minor drawback.
Dimming vs. on/off: If you need some light but not full brightness, consider dimming switches or dimmable bulbs instead of completely turning them off and on.
Ultimately, turning lights off when not in use is the most economical choice in most situations. Remember, every watt saved adds up, contributing to lower energy bills and a smaller environmental footprint.
One of the lights in the kitchen is on from just before dinner time until I go to bed.
Once I go to bed, I turn all lights off. The cat can see in the dark, and I don't need lights when I'm sleeping.
I leave a light on at all times to make it look as if someone is home whether I'm home or not.
I also have a solar light in my driveway. It doesn't cost anything since it charges by itself.
I have a dimmer switch in my dining room, living room and both bedrooms. I also turn the heat down when I leave for my very long day at work. Instead of leaving a light on I sometimes use a flashlight on in the kitchen to make it look like someone is home!
