Fact or Fiction? Six Common Energy-Saving Myths

Home Hacks

There are many smart, simple ways to save energy at your home or office. However, not all ways to “save” energy are created equal. In fact, there are many so-called tips out there that not only don’t work, but can actually cost you energy and money too. Yikes!

We’ve talked a lot about energy-saving tips. Now let’s debunk some of the most common energy-saving myths.

Debunked: “Turning your computer on and off wastes energy.”

Do you leave your computer on 24/7 because you’ve heard that turning it on and off wastes energy? That’s a myth. You should turn your computer off if you’re going to be away for two or more hours. 

Debunked: “Ceiling fans cool the room.”

Your fan doesn’t cool the room; it cools you. Leaving your ceiling fan running when there’s nobody there is like running water in an empty sink: It just wastes energy and money.

Fans don’t produce cool air, they circulate air, which makes you feel cooler. So when you leave the room, be sure to turn off the fan.

Debunked: “Washing dishes by hand saves energy.”

Do you hate washing dishes by hand? We’ve got good news: You don’t have to! Energy-efficient dishwashers purposefully use less water and energy, so you’re actually using less hot water than when you wash by hand. So skip the dishwashing boredom and use your dishwasher instead.

P.S. remember to wait until you have a full load before running your dishwasher.

Debunked: “Closing vents in an unused room saves energy.”

We totally see why people might think this, but that’s how rumors get started. Your HVAC is a balanced system, so when you close one vent, the strain forces the system to work harder and use more energy.

A better way to save? Set your thermostat a few degrees higher in summer or lower in winter. The best way to save? Sign up for PSO Power Hours and get a $75 instant rebate on a Wi-Fi thermostat that you can control from anywhere.

Debunked: “You lose most of your heat through windows.”

Yes, heat can be lost through windows. But the biggest culprit for heat loss? Your walls.

Thanks to their large surface area, walls account for most of your home’s heat loss. So insulate them. We’re such big fans of wall insulation (and attic, floor and ceiling insulation too), we’ll help you pay for it!

Debunked: “Cool your home faster by setting the thermostat lower.”

This tip may seem logical, but unfortunately it’s not true. It’s like honking at a red light: It doesn’t make a difference because the red light is doing its own thing.

You set the thermostat so your home or office reaches a certain temperature. Setting it higher or lower doesn’t speed up the process and can actually cost you energy if you forget to reset it later.

Instead, set the thermostat to your preferred temperature and your HVAC will do the rest. Save even more: Upgrade to an Energy Star®-certified HVAC and get a rebate from us!

Don’t fall for these (or other) energy-saving myths! Instead, always consult a trusted source (like us) for how to save energy.