Which is kinder to the pocket when it comes to using light bulbs and household electircity consuming goods?

[Aluminimex]

switching off the light immediately after using, to save electricity, even though have to reuse the light within 20minutes, OR leaving the light on, more electricity used, but doesn't that elongate life of bulb?The bulbs are cheap, about $2US.
also for air conditioners? is it kinder to our pocket if we switch off immediately after leaving room even though we will switch it on within about 20minutes time?

be great if you can also provide back up info.

kind regards

[Eve]

This is a mainly UK based site so not much call for home aircon here :) I'm not sure if they do the same there but some electricity providers here which say they can supply little monitors so you can monitor what you are using and what uses more electric etc... Could be an idea if you want to monitor things generally.

I tend to switch my lights on only when needed - it's dark here now but I have plenty of light from the laptop/TV to see what I'm writing, no need for a light on. Easier maybe as it's just me though. I'd be interested to see what the more knowledgable people on here think - sorry I can't answer your question properly.

[deggers316]

air con needs to be left on to chill a room it takes mine around 40 mins to make a difference of 3 degrees and it a 13.000 btu model, unless your standing directly in the airflow then you feel its cold, ours is set to 22degrees thats cool enough for us

[Hopkirk]

I wish I had air con today.