Light bulbs and electricity

[quicksilver]

We all have post light fixtures at the end of our property here - required.
Out of 12 immediate area properties, 7 have decided not to replace their burned out bulbs, saying it's one more was they are reducing their electric usage. Well since all are on a light sensor, I say the electric is running 24/7, even if the bulb is "dead". I'm pretty sure if you stuck your finger in where the bulb is, ZZZZZZZZTTTTTTT!
The power is run not from each residence, but from public/association, so no switch to turn off at individual residence.
I say the only way to reduce usage is lower wattage/lumins.
Correct?
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[GB]

I do not believe you are correct.

 

[Wart]

.... Well since all are on a light sensor, I say the electric is running 24/7, even if the bulb is "dead". I'm pretty sure if you stuck your finger in where the bulb is, ZZZZZZZZTTTTTTT!

Unless there is something wrong with the sensor, No.

I suspect there may be some 'bleed' through the switching but that would be the occasional electron.

I say the only way to reduce usage is lower wattage/lumins.
Correct?
[/LEFT]

Current flow through a burnt out bulb?

 

[Andy M.]

If the light bulb is not drawing electricity, there is no useage. The filament in the bulb broke so the current cannot flow through. Zero electriciry being used.

 

[quicksilver]

Ok. I understand the bulb filament thing, but what makes the sensor keep working once the bulb is replaced.
If you unscrewed the bulb and put a testor in that
little brass/metal thing that the base of the bulb touches, wouldn't you get a reaction?
I don't have a testor, so I don't know. I don't plan on sticking my finger in there either.

 

[zzrdvark]

Yes, there's still power being supplied to the bulb when it's burned out, but since the filament is broken, there's no circuit being completed, and not power is being used.

 

[quicksilver]

Thanks, guys.
It still looks terrible.
And is unsafe out here in the dark.
And against assoc. rules, that no one is enforcing.

Does anyone have an idea on average how much $$ is really being saved daily, monthly, by not burning a 40watt bulb for say 10 hrs a day. (8pm -6am)?

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[Chief Longwind Of The North]

For such a light, if it uses the standard light bulb size, it would be well worth the cost to purchase an LED light pulb fixture. Now understand that these bulbs are expensive, from what I understand, an LED (light emmiting diode) array the size of a standard incandescent light bulb runs about $90 U.S. But the LED bulbs don't burn out, and draw very little current. So over the life of the bulb, they pay for themselves fairly quickly, and run forever without replacement. In an outdoor environment, this is important.

Myself, I wish there were no streetlights in the neighbohood. They keep me from enjoying star filled skies, northern lights, meteor showers, etc. And besides, night is supposed to be dark! just MHO.

Seeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

 

[GB]

Myself, I wish there were no streetlights in the neighbohood. They keep me from enjoying star filled skies, northern lights, meteor showers, etc. And besides, night is supposed to be dark! just MHO.

I hear what you are saying and I love seeing the stars and Milky Way and all the great things the night sky had to offer. However, when my daughter is coming home from her job late at night (once she reaches that age of course), I will want the area well lit so some pervert is not lurking in the shadows ready to do G-d knows what. I will happily trade visual wonderment for the safety of my kids. Then we will just vacation in the mountains and sleep out under the stars to see all that great stuff.

 

[Chief Longwind Of The North]

I hear what you are saying and I love seeing the stars and Milky Way and all the great things the night sky had to offer. However, when my daughter is coming home from her job late at night (once she reaches that age of course), I will want the area well lit so some pervert is not lurking in the shadows ready to do G-d knows what. I will happily trade visual wonderment for the safety of my kids. Then we will just vacation in the mountains and sleep out under the stars to see all that great stuff.

I perfectly understand what you are saying, and agree whole heartedly that there are areas where street lights provide a needed measure of safety. But my neighborhood hasn't had a single crime in it since it was created way back in the early 1950's, no theft, no violence, no anything. We are kind of tucked just out of site from the general population of our town, which is a very safe town to start with, and have a great bunch of people living in the subdivision. So we could afford more darkness.

Seeeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

 

[GB]

Maybe part of the reason you have not had crime is because you do not have that darkness

 

[Chief Longwind Of The North]

Naw. It's because I have Judo training and everyone in the world knows it.

Seeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

 

[GB]

LOL

 

[quicksilver]

Goodweed, just so you know, we have no street lights. That's why our post lights are so necessary.
When one or another of us walk out dogs late at night, this is our only safety.
We see shooting stars and the constallations nightly, and love telling our neighbors about it.
I was trying to gain positive info, if you haven't guessed, to try and convince the negligent neighbors, the cost wasn't worth the security.
I have converted all indoor bulbs to those curly, "energy smart" bulbs, but my post light has candleabra size bulbs. They have yet to make, or I can't find that size in the "energy smart" catagory.

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[Lizannd]

Maybe for safety you should install motion sensitive

lights. Sure sometimes when it is windy the moving bushes set mine off but only because I have't bother to fine tune the adjustment. This way anyone walking would turn the light on when they need it and when nobody is out and about the lights would be off saving electricity.

 

[GB]

lights. Sure sometimes when it is windy the moving bushes set mine off but only because I have't bother to fine tune the adjustment. This way anyone walking would turn the light on when they need it and when nobody is out and about the lights would be off saving electricity.

Excellent suggestion!

 

[Chief Longwind Of The North]

Goodweed, just so you know, we have no street lights. That's why our post lights are so necessary.
When one or another of us walk out dogs late at night, this is our only safety.
We see shooting stars and the constallations nightly, and love telling our neighbors about it.
I was trying to gain positive info, if you haven't guessed, to try and convince the negligent neighbors, the cost wasn't worth the security.
I have converted all indoor bulbs to those curly, "energy smart" bulbs, but my post light has candleabra size bulbs. They have yet to make, or I can't find that size in the "energy smart" catagory.

I see your dilema. I wonder if LED Christmas bulbs would fit in your light fixtures. If so, that could help solve you problem.

Seeeeeeeya; Goodweed of the North

 

[Fisher's Mom]

Oh man, this is a great topic. I have street lights on my street and I have a really big porch light. I live right downtown and I worry about crime or other unsavory activity gong on if it's really dark. (Plus, the hookers at the end of the street need some light to conduct business.) But I do worry and feel guilty about the amount of electricity it uses.

 

[DramaQueen]

My safety and well-being are far more important to me than saving a few cents worth of electricity. No way would I walk on a dark street just to save a few cents.

 

[Andy M.]

If you pay what I pay for electricity (I pay about 17 Cents per KWH), a 100 watt light bulb will burn for 10 hours for 17 cents.