====== Turning Off Fluorescent Lights ======

Turning on a fluorescent lamp does consume more power than ordinary operation, and frequently turning a fluorescent lamp on and off does increase wear and reduce the lifetime of the lamp. However, these effects are //not// large enough to make it more economical to leave fluorescent lamps on continuously instead of turning them off when the room is unoccupied. It is suggested to maximize lamp lifetime and energy efficiency, fluorescent lamps should be turned of if a room is going to be unoccupied for more than five to twenty minutes.

===== Sources =====

  * Durda, Frank IV. "The Fluorescent Lighting System." Nemesis.lonestar.org. 2007. Accessed September 25, 2009 <http://nemesis.lonestar.org/reference/electricity/fluorescent/lamps.html>.

  * Matson, John. "Does Turning Fluorescent Lights Off Use More Energy Than Leaving Them On?" Scientific American. March 27, 2008. Accessed September 25, 2009 <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=turn-fluorescent-lights-off-when-you-leave-room>.