not using lights as much...

chewie · #1 12/04/12, 08:09 PM

I have a little idea--when its dark out so early, I noticed that we often turn on lights all evening long, either just in a room in general, or to go thru a room. I would like to curb our elec bill a bit.

now, the dollar stores have candles all the time, candles are dirt cheap. I also love the ambiance esp in the darker months.

I have been putting on a candle in each room in the evening. don't need to flip the switch to just go thru to another part of the house, don't even need a light on to use the bathroom, mostly. one small light in the living room is plenty.

I am wondering, how much of an elec. savings would this amt to? does it add up to not flick them on for a minute just to get thru a room? or is that such a tiny amt that it won't even count?

it does have a very cozy feel in any case. the dollar store ones don't overpower in the scent either. maybe I'm just doing too much thinking.

FarmboyBill · #2 12/04/12, 08:16 PM

Sounds like you be buying alot more matches

mamajohnson · #3 12/04/12, 08:30 PM

I don't use a lot of lights myself. My DH on the other hand, will flip on every light on the way through the house. Literally. The living room, kitchen, hall, bathroom, bedroom. Then go outside. *sigh* I have to go through turning them all off. Thank God for CFL bulbs. I'm trying to retrain him, but it is slow going. Maybe I should just light my oil lamps.

Jokarva · #4 12/04/12, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamajohnson

My DH on the other hand, will flip on every light on the way through the house. Literally. The living room, kitchen, hall, bathroom, bedroom. Then go outside. *sigh* I have to go through turning them all off. Thank God for CFL bulbs. I'm trying to retrain him, but it is slow going. .

I must be married to his twin....if you figure out a way to fix him please let me know.

My concern with candles would be the obvious fire issue (unless you're talking about the led candles?), we have lots of cats so I would never chance it.

mamajohnson · #5 12/04/12, 08:49 PM

Well Lord help ya Jokarva!! lol! I'm not sure there IS a fix! But I am too stubborn to give up.
I really LIKE that led battery operated idea thingy.

Alice In TX/MO · #6 12/04/12, 09:12 PM

I put small motion sensitive lights in three locations on the hall that runs the middle of the house. The batteries last over a year. They are WONDERFUL.

http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Motio.../dp/B001LJKLT4

Seymour · #7 12/04/12, 10:15 PM

you can get motion sensors that replace regular light switches, so when your in the room the lights on, if your not, the lights off.... just makes for alot of waving around when your sitting on the toilet, lol, anyway keeps lights from being left on.

hotzcatz · #8 12/05/12, 01:24 AM

Replace all incandescent bulbs with compact florescents or LED lights and your electric bill should drop. Our electricity is 44 cents a kilowatt hour so we are really aware of electrical use. We still turn the CFLs and LEDs off when not in use.

If you have an electric water heater or room heaters, those will use a lot more power than lightbulbs. Anything that makes heat with electricity usually uses quite a bit of power. Although electric blankets aren't too bad and use a lot less power than room heaters. Not, of course, that we have room heaters here. They are too expensive and it only gets down to 55 at the coldest so we just wear socks. Which are another alternative to expensive heating.

blufford · #9 12/05/12, 06:25 AM

Burning candles make me weeze. I avoid church services because of that.

Silvercreek Farmer · #10 12/05/12, 07:58 AM

Aside from the fire danger, you can buy a LOT of CFL light for a dollar. If you put a 10 watt CFL (equivalent to a 40 watt incandecent) you can run it for close to 1000 hours for a dollar in most places. I don't think you can find a dollar candle that will burn for 1000 hours or give off as much light! Most of us were trained to turn off the lights to save power, and it does help, especially with big halogen lights, multiple bulb fixtures ect, but CFLs and LEDs are very efficient, making turning off the lights less of a savings than it used to be. If you really want to save on the electric bill, target anything electric that creates heat. Let us know what you have that is hot and we'll help you save.

**Cabin Fever** · #11 12/05/12, 08:06 AM

I doubt if you're saving any money by burning candles inplace of an electric light bulb, especially when you figure that a candle provides about the same amount of light as a Christmas tree light.

I would not be burning candles in rooms that are not occupied.

PD-Riverman · #12 12/05/12, 08:39 AM

As already stated----using a CFL that draws 10 watts(equal to 40 watts regular)----you can turn that one light on and run it continous for over 4 days for a cost of about 10 to 15 cents---bet it will cost you ALOT more to burn small candles that long and will be ALOT dimmer.

Its cheaper to burn the lights. Think about it----this same bulb could be run 1 hr per day in a room for 100 days---over 3 months for 10 to 15 cent in most places. If you want to cut your electric bill if you have a electric hot water heater it is a big draw, electric heat and cooling too---you need to cut back on them. Also ghost loads draw alot more than you think in a years time---things like most TV's, radio's, power packs like cell phone chargers etc---these could be unplugged or put on a power strip so they can be cut off completely---there is alot of little things you can do to help a little----you can Google for more ideas.

ronbre · #13 12/05/12, 09:11 AM

watch for bronchitis or sinusitis if you start using a lot of candles..as they can affect a lot of people that way..I had them burning when we had a power outage and I got very ill

freelove · #14 12/05/12, 09:21 AM

I use night lights in rooms that I need to walk through. Just enough light to see where I am going and not step on the cat. The ones that I use have switches or light sensors so they are turned off during the day.

volleypc · #15 12/05/12, 09:26 AM

I have a small cabin and rely fully on solar power. I am adding as I go so instead of buying extra panels and lights right away I went with this option Amazon.com: d.light S10 Solar LED Lantern: Home Improvement

I bought 3 of these and have had them for just over a year. I simply set them outside every couple of days and let them charge. They I keep one in my truck all the time as well. Great product, plenty of light, and probably a bit safer than a candle.

KMA1 · #16 12/05/12, 09:57 AM

Also, if you buy cheap candles of any sort at most any chain stores, they are made in China and contail high quantities of lead. Recent studies show that Chinese made candles are the number 1 source for lead exposure inside the home. Just another thing to think about. I would especially recommend against burning cheap candles if you have kids less than 5 because lead will most seriously affect them.

Gianni · #17 12/05/12, 09:59 AM

Electric cost is very easy to figure out. 100 watt bulb x 10 hours is equal to one 1000 watt houts or 1 KW hour. In our area that is about 11 cents. If you burned a candle to replace it you would only need to get 99 hours out of the candle to equal the dollar that you paid for it. If you get less than 99 hours of burn time out of a candle then it is costing you more to burn them.

emdeengee · #18 12/05/12, 11:03 AM

I would not burn candles in unoccupied rooms. Just too dangerous especially if you have pets or smaller children. The advice about LED or CFL bulbs is valid. They cost very little and if you are just passing down a hallway or in a room for a few minutes you do not need a permanent source of light as with a candle.

We have solar camping lanterns that we use in winter. Just enough light to watch TV by or to read.

We did have motion detector and/or light sensitive night lights in the halls and bathrooms but one nearly burnt our wall down so we did some research. The fire marshalls' office had nearly ALL of these on their recall or watch list. All were made in China or India.

mnn2501 · #19 12/05/12, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blufford

Burning candles make me weeze. I avoid church services because of that.

Never seen candles lit in my Church.

tlrnnp67 · #20 12/05/12, 02:38 PM

I've seen these on Pinterest. Pop them in the window during the day to charge, and place where you need light at night. You can also tint the jar with food coloring and Mod Podge if you want. You might be able to find the solar lights on clearance this time of year.

DIY Solar-Powered Mason Jar Luminaries | One Good Thing by Jillee