Can someone answer these energy conservation quesions?

Question

If I have two rows of lights, one lit with CFL's, the other has a dimmer, which will use more energy? The dimmer switch lights or the CFL's?

Do I really need to turn off the cable box at night to save energy or does that not matter? It's only a little light with the channel on it.

Does leaving my computer on all day waste a lot of energy?

Please provide resources.

Answer 1

You first question is the dimmer vs CFL. No one can answer that without more information. If you turn the dimmer real low the answer is probably the dimmer. For lighting your power used is basically volts times Amperes. When you use a dimmer you reduce the voltage and the Amperes to the bulb. I nor anyone else can calculate that with the info you have provided.

The cable box is a small draw but if you are willing to wait on boot up go ahead and power it down.

Computers especially CRT monitors do us electricity. Most have energy saving features which make shutting them off limited power savings.

Answer 2

Depending on the dimmer and the CFL lamps you are using you can use both. Some CFL's are dimmable but cost a little more. Levitron dimmers don't work on a rheostat basis, instead they are electronic and turn on and off at a rapid rate and can save you up to 60%