Oil lamps

[KayHarkerNeedsToSleep]

I've just been given some old oil lamps. I don't know how to use them, and I'm wondering if anyone can help me. I was wondering if they might be helpful for a few 'electricity-free evenings' - would that be utterly pointless in terms of cost and environmental impact? Might I be better off just lighting a candle?

Bumping for you.

Thanks

I'm pretty sure that both candles and oil lamps have higher carbon emissions for the amount of light that you get than a standard lightbulb - still burning a fossil fuel, and less efficiently. Nice though.

yeah, they're very pretty indeed. I briefly pondered the idea of wafting around in the evenings like an Edwardian laydee in the lamplight.

I'm now thinking they'll basically be jolly good for emergencies when we start having powercuts, as I think we might in the next few years.

KayHarker we are having an electricity-free evening each week, but electric light is the exception we are allowed.

It basically means no TV or computer.

So far the DC have been quite accepting of the new rule -- they told their babysitter proudly about it last night.

We use oil lamps for when we have power cuts (often). They are lovely. Also great in summer when it starts to get dark but you don't want to go inside yet. Not sure they are more environmentally friendly than a electric light though...

How much oil do they require, ShipsCat? Our hardware store stocks the right oil quite cheaply, but I'm just wondering how much lasts for how long.

I think we fill it once for an evening (DH always does it, so not sure), but it's not that much, and pretty cheap.

Thanks, that's helpful