Should businesses including banks and shops have no lights on after trading hours?

Question

Why do businesses and shops leave lights on for advertising when it is a waste of electricity? Major and small businesses could save money and the environment.

Answer 1

Why rail against the little amount of power used for security and advertising in the off hours and not say a word in regards to the amount of power used during their hours of business?  Both are for the wealth of the ownership.  It is you who is shortsighted.

Answer 2

Yes I think it is mainly for security purposes but also marketing, to allow potential consumers see their signs and products even at night.

You're right though, it's a big waste of electricity. My college probably leaves it's 200+ computers on 24/7 instead of the 8 hours for 5 days that they need to be on. So in a lot of cases it's pure lazyness too.

Thing is, when you look at the impacts of peak oil and climate change you realise, they're really only shooting themselves (and the rest of us) in the foot by allowing their lazyness/greed to guide their present actions

Answer 3

I can understand businesses having a few indoor lights, and maybe a few outdoor lights on for security purposes. However, too much light is not right. Like Vegas, with all those lights on the strip, etc., that is a lot of electricity being used.

However, for security purposes, it should be allowed to have a few lights on after hours.

Take care.