For many homeowners, electricity is one of the least understood utilities. Despite our reliance on electricity to light our homes and charge our devices, there is a lot the average person doesn’t understand about energy consumption. Old wives’ tales about energy usage are commonplace, which can make it hard to reduce your electricity and gas costs. If you’re trying to save money, here are 8 myths about your energy bill you shouldn’t continue believing.
1. It’s better to leave a light on rather than turning it off and back on again.
Growing up, I was always told to leave lights on if I was going to be back in a room soon. Allegedly, turning the lights off and on again would use more energy than leaving them on for a short period of time. In actuality, very few electrical devices require an extra burst of energy to power on. The idea that flipping the switch consumes more power than leaving the light on is a myth.
2. It is better to leave your AC running to keep a consistent temp.
Most smart thermostats can be programmed to shut the AC off automatically when you leave for work. But does letting your home heat up for eight long hours really save electricity? Some think that the AC consumes more power when it has to work hard to cool a hot house at the end of the day. By that logic, it’s better to set the thermostat to maintain a consistent temp while you’re away.
But it turns out this is one of the myths about energy bills we’ve all fallen for. PBS found that it’s actually cheaper to let your home heat up while unoccupied than to keep the AC running all day. Who knew?!
3. Chargers only draw electricity when in use.
I don’t know about you, but I frequently forget to unplug my phone charger from the wall when I’m done using it. For a long time, I thought my charger wouldn’t draw electricity unless my phone was plugged in. Unfortunately, this is a myth about energy bills I fell for. Almost every device draws some level of power while plugged in, even if it’s turned off or in standby mode. It’s usually recommended that you unplug any charging cords or devices that you’re not using to save money.
4. It’s best to turn off the heat when you aren’t home.
As discussed above, it’s better to shut your AC off during the summer months when you’re away from home. But does the same apply during the winter? It turns out that it’s more efficient to turn the heat down during the winter months rather than shutting it off completely. Lowering the temperature of your home by seven to ten degrees during the workday could save you as much as 10% per year on your energy bill.
5. Boiling water on the stove is most efficient.
Most of us boil water for pasta in a pot on the stove, believing it’s the best way to get the job done. However, an analysis by Treehugger found that’s not the case. An electric kettle actually consumes less energy because the water makes closer contact with the heating element. On the stove, the pot has to heat up first and then transfer that warmth to the water, requiring more energy overall.
But if you don’t have an electric kettle, fear not—you can save money by using your microwave. Although it’s the second-best option, the microwave still outperformed the stove by a wide margin.
6. A dripping faucet isn’t a big deal.
A slightly drippy faucet may not be high up on your list of things to fix. However, the increased water usage from the leak can raise your utility bill, so it’s important to take care of it ASAP. Hot water leaks, which may stem from your water heater or faucet, can cost you even more. A leak in the hot water system can cause your heater to run much more than needed, consuming extra energy and raising your bill.
7. Washing clothes in hot water is best.
Many of us were taught to do our laundry in hot water to remove germs. However, washing lightly soiled clothes in cold water can result in big energy savings. About 90% of the energy your washing machine uses goes toward heating up the water. If that isn’t reason enough to switch, washing your garments in cold water can help prevent shrinking and keep colors vibrant.
8. It isn’t worth swapping old light bulbs for LEDs.
LED light bulbs have surged in popularity in the past decade, but not everyone is quick to jump on the bandwagon. You may have a stockpile of light bulbs you want to use up, or a preference for the quality of light older bulbs give off. However, switching to LEDs can lead to significant savings. LEDs use 90% less energy than traditional bulbs and last 15 times longer to boot according to Energy Star.
Find the savings that work for you
Hopefully, this article has helped dispel some of the common myths about energy bills. Now that you know which habits are costing you money, you can work on changing your routine to save on your monthly energy bill. Being more mindful about shutting off the lights and unplugging electronics can reduce your energy consumption. You could also consider swapping old bulbs for LEDs and washing your clothing in cold water to economize.
However, at the end of the day, there are lots of ways to save on your energy bill. If none of these methods work for you, make sure to do your own research and find the strategies that fit your family best.