Does it use more electric to shut off the lights for a short time if you will go back into the room soon?

Question

I go in and out when I'm cleaning, etc. Should I shut the lights off and on each time or does that take more electricity?

Answer 1

You should turn the lights off when you aren't in a room.  It does not use more electricity to turn them on again as opposed to leaving them on.

Answer 2

turn them off, mythbusters tested this a few years ago by hooking up a device that measured how much electricity was being used.  it turned out that unless you plan on switching the light on and off faster than a human can by hand, it saves power to always turn them off.  i think this was for incandescents though, not sure about other types.

Answer 3

If you are going to be gone for more than 1 second it is better to turn off incandescent lights and If you are going to be gone for more than 23 seconds for florescent lights