Turn Lights Off When Not In Use

Affordability

Manually turning off lights is free, requiring only an investment of time to educate your staff. Sensors and controls are relatively low-cost and some are eligible for rebates under the Product Investment Program.

Cost savings

Turning off the lights in an unoccupied room cuts the energy use instantly, with direct benefits to your bottom line. How much you reduce your bills depends on the type of light you turn off and how much you reduce the time it is used.

Environmental considerations

Reducing energy use helps protect resources and reduce the need for additional generation infrastructure. Engaging your staff in this practice is a great way to initiate a conservation culture for your business. Turning off unnecessary lights also helps reduce light pollution, preserving our view of the stars and reducing potential adverse impacts on the ecosystem.

What you need to know

• Develop a workplace policy to turn off lights whenever an area is unoccupied, including common areas such as copy rooms, break rooms, conference rooms and washrooms.
• Post reminders next to light switches to increase compliance.
• Label electrical switches and panels to identify switches that need to be left on at all times, or during business hours only. You may have other equipment that can be turned off after hours for additional savings. If you are unsure, ask an electrician or BC Hydro representative for details.
• To encourage staff to adopt this habit, offer incentives for turning off unnecessary lights, or include energy efficient practices in all job descriptions.

Taking it further

• Install occupancy sensors or other controls to turn lights off automatically when an area is unoccupied. Sensors have come a long way since the first models that sometimes left people in the dark. Making the switch can save 15-80% of lighting energy. In addition, sensors come on when there is someone present, making a space such as a parking area or an entrance more comfortable and secure. Sensors make the most sense in spaces that are often unoccupied, including some offices, warehouses, storerooms, restrooms, loading docks, corridors, stairwells, office lounges and conference rooms.
• If you can control lights from separate switches, you may be able to turn off as many as half of them for considerable energy savings. Even if you have to rewire the lighting system to add switches and permit partial lighting, the payback from energy savings and increased lamp life may make the investment worthwhile. See our retrofit your light system tip for more ideas.
• Install timers or photocells to control outdoor lights. Photocells will automatically turn lights on at dusk and off at dawn. Timers will turn them on or off at a set hour of the day.
• Turn off lights wherever there is adequate natural light. Rethink the layout of your workspace to make the most of windows, skylights and other natural lighting. There are also features such light shelves that help capture natural light and bounce it off ceilings. You can also replace light fixtures with natural light even in areas set back from windows. To learn more, see our making the most of natural light tip.

FAQ

Does it take more energy to turn a light back on than is saved by turning it off for a short period of time? 
No. In most situations, there is no difference in the energy needed to turn a light on or to keep it on; and when turned off, a light uses no power.

Will turning lights on and off wear out the light bulbs faster?
While it is true that Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) can be sensitive to rapid on/off cycling in situations where only brief illumination is required, it is still better to turn lights off, even when it’s only for a few minutes. The energy savings will considerably offset any reduction in lamp life.