69: Turn off the lights when you're gone by ihough

Every time you complete this action, you will reduce emissions by an estimated 2 lbs. CO₂e.

You’ve heard it before, but it’s still true. Turning off the lights will always use less energy. Yes, some lights draw a brief surge of power when they first turn on — but this lasts for only a fraction of a second.

With CFLs it gets a little more complicated, because the ballast that lights the bulb wears out a little with each use. The less you switch a CFL on and off the longer it will last, so you need to compare the cost of buying a new CFL to the savings from using less electricity. If you’re absolutely sure you’ll need the light again within 10 or 15 minutes, leave it on. When in doubt, turn it off.

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