How much energy does it take to create a candle? Is it really less than running a lightbulb for a few hours?

Cameron-

Interesting point. I suppose, if it was a handmade beeswax candle, you'd be fine. But one of those straight-petroleum-wax votives from the 100 pc bag at IKEA might not work out.

More importantly, though, this is a awareness-raising excersize. I don't think the organizers hope to conserve a whole lot of energy with these two hours, but they probably expect to convince some people to be more mindful of their energy use. We make our power so effortless to deliver and implement that sometimes, we take it for granted. Lights get left on, refrigerators get left open.

Hopefully in the same way that you wouldn't leave a candle burning, people will understand the implications of their electrical energy use, and become more mindful of it.

Well said, Dominic! Thanks for posting this story. One thing: I think your link to Candle Night is broken.

I'm blogging on this story myself and will be taking part tomorrow night! Thanks again!

Pete-

Thanks for the heads up on the link. It's amazing what a mis-placed space will do to a CGI script. It's fixed now though.

And good luck on the lights-out. I'm going to be outside watching the sky fade over Lake Michigan. There's more than one way to go without lights :)

It is indeed an awareness-raising exercise, because energy conservation is more about the long-term.

A two-hours low is probably not enough for power plants to decide to reduce their production and thus pollute less.

What I'm always wondering with candles is how bad they are for air-quality inside houses.

Good question MGR. We had about five or six going Saturday night while we ate and didn't notice anything air-quality-wise. We did have a good time taking part, though.

We really did get an idea of how we humans tend to rely a bit too much on electric lights. Every time we'd enter a room, even with a candle in our hand, we'd have to fight the urge to hit the light switch with our other hand.

We ate dinner by candle light and when I realized I had forgotten the salt in the kitchen, I jumped up and made my way into darkness--duh. Then, I came back to the table, picked up a candle and tried to move quickly back into the kitchen only to see the flame on my candle almost snuff out. I then moved much more slowly.

Electric lights sure are great, but Candle Night was a great way to force myself to slow down and think about things. I hope it becomes more popular next year.

And you think that a hand made beeswax candle dosen't take more energy to make than a lightbulb? How do you melt the wax into a candle without energy ... or do you expect to burn down some trees to do this? I am just curious... the fact is that a 100 watt Lightbulb puts out ALOT more light for a fraction of the cost...
look here...

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/homeandwork/homes/inside/lighting/bulbs.html

Lets consider what it would cost to burn 1 candle for 3 years... Well seriously I know it will cost more than $40.00, so why even bother...

This is such a BS arguement.

People, stop misrepresenting corporate fear as environmental concern, you look like idiots.

What do you understand by energy conservation
Please explain with example.
Thank

There is something magical and fascinating in candlelight!