Do you keep a light on at night

**Palooka** · 11-05-2009, 12:24 AM

I always have a 60 watt burning all night long in my kitchen. There is a field in the back of our house so not much light and it's easier to see around if anyone gets up during the night, or you might run into a dresser otherwise.

I wonder though if this makes much of a difference in our electric bill and if it would be better just to use a couple night lights spread out. Anyone ever play around with their utlities to figure out little things like this?

**frugalfranny** · 11-05-2009, 12:28 AM

No, haven't checked. Don't keep any lights on....even outside ones are all off.

Nikosan, on here, even has be unplugging my washer and dryer!!!

**mauimagic** · 11-05-2009, 12:31 AM

Nikosan is a wise person!!

We don't keep any lights on at night - never had the need unless we have house guests.

Wonder if it would make a difference in your electric bill - it will be interesting to see what others say.

**madhen** · 11-05-2009, 12:44 AM

I don't keep one on all night, but I have one in the livingroom on a timer, so it comes on about dusk and stays on until about 2a. This is just so I don't walk into a pitch-black house when I get home after dark. It is a smaller bulb (40w, I think), so just bright enough for me to see to drop my stuff and make my way to the stairs to head up to the bedroom.

**Palooka** · 11-05-2009, 12:44 AM

I don't like it pitch black and I don't like it that bright either. Just a little light sense I am the insomniac and for my kids to see if they happen to get up in the middle of the night.

We used to have a 50 gallon aquarium of fish and the light at night was so therapeutic. (not to mention the sound) I think I miss that kind of light though.

**Palooka** · 11-05-2009, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by madhen

I don't keep one on all night, but I have one in the livingroom on a timer, so it comes on about dusk and stays on until about 2a. This is just so I don't walk into a pitch-black house when I get home after dark. It is a smaller bulb (40w, I think), so just bright enough for me to see to drop my stuff and make my way to the stairs to head up to the bedroom.

That makes sense. A 40 watt and a timer. I remember my parents always using a timer. I have no idea how much a timer cost?

**madhen** · 11-05-2009, 12:50 AM

You can get them at K-Mart for around $5-8.00. I see them at the grocery stores, as well, and you might find some on sale now, as people probably want them for Christmas tree lights.

I have the cheap-o kind that plugs in the outlet, and you just pull the little tabs to the time you want the light to go on and off. By pulling the tabs, you set up the dial on the timer so it flips a breaker at the right times, turning your light on/off. Pretty idiot-proof, indestructible, and so simple mechanically that they never break.

**Palooka** · 11-05-2009, 12:58 AM

Uh,oh. I'm one of those bad people that like to sleep with Christmas lights on. I think I need a timer for sure.

**madhen** · 11-05-2009, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

Uh,oh. I'm one of those bad people that like to sleep with Christmas lights on. I think I need a timer for sure.

Nothing wrong with that. I've been known to sleep on the couch in the livingroom (where the tree is), just so I can fall asleep washed in its warm Christmas glow.

**frugalfranny** · 11-05-2009, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

Uh,oh. I'm one of those bad people that like to sleep with Christmas lights on. I think I need a timer for sure.

I DO use a timer on one lamp in the LR. Same reason as MH posted, I hate coming home to a dark house. In the winter, I set it to come on and go off at a couple different times.

Timer's are cheap palooka........under $10 for sure. I use the same as MH. Easy, except when ANIMALS knock the tabs out they can be a DEMON to find as they are so small. (NOW new house rules are that the 'kids' don't run around the couch!!)

**Palooka** · 11-05-2009, 01:13 AM

Pretty soon I am breaking out my special santa nightlight. Not setting a timer on that baby.

**Palooka** · 11-05-2009, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by madhen

Nothing wrong with that. I've been known to sleep on the couch in the livingroom (where the tree is), just so I can fall asleep washed in its warm Christmas glow.

Lol, same here!!

**ladytoysdream** · 11-05-2009, 07:11 AM

We keep one single light on at night inside, usually the hall light. Outside we have 3 dawn to dusk. One on the house, one on the electric pole for the dreveway area, and one on the garage. It makes it a lot easier for the hubby especially in the winter when he has to be to work by 4 am. There also is a night light on the outside wood furnace. I would rather pay for a little electric usage than one of us get hurt because we could not see, and then have a medical bill.

Christmas tree lights on all night ????
You need to be careful with them because of possible fire hazards. We both used to belong to a volunteer fire department. Trust me, you learn a lot.
( I gave 14 years of service to two different companies )

**JenMarie** · 11-05-2009, 07:39 AM

We have a low watt lamp in my son's room that is on all night. He is terrified of the dark and even regular nighlights are not enough to keep him from screaming in the middle of the night. I don't know what it's costing us, but whatever it is, it's worth it!

**sabrelvssammy** · 11-05-2009, 08:10 AM

we have no lights on in the house (even when we are up and watching tv)....friends and neighbors laugh about how 'dark' our house is every night and they know that if they ever see 'any' lights whatsoever glowing from it to call police...it's a robber.....

i like the complete darkness and when we sleep there can be no light whatsoever....i even have to throw something over the light coming from the electric blanket or it drives me crazy.....