With electricity prices rising steadily across the nation, it’s no surprise Americans are searching for ways to save money. However, not every piece of advice is as
reliable as it sounds. To help separate fact and fiction, we’re going to break down some of the top myths about energy use. Besides explaining a few common misconceptions, we’ll also share some proven, cost-effective tips to help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
Myth: Adjusting the Thermostat Heats and Cools Your Home Faster
Because it takes more energy to heat your home to 80°F than 70°F, some homeowners think that turning up their thermostat will boost the power in their HVAC system. However, furnaces are designed to deliver warm air at a constant rate, no matter how high you set the temperature. Raising the settings simply forces the system to run longer than necessary, burning more energy in the process.
The same is true for your air conditioner. Lowering the temperature setting won’t make it produce cold air any faster. Thermostats are control units, designed to monitor conditions in your home and activate your HVAC equipment in order to maintain your comfort level.
If your furnace and air conditioning system is taking too long to heat or cool your home, they may be undersized. Undersized HVAC units often struggle to raise or lower temperatures, even when they run nonstop. This not only leads to premature wear and tear, but drives utility bills through the roof. Upgrading your furnace or air conditioner not only leads to greater comfort, but considerable long-term savings.
Myth: Washing Dishes By Hand Is More Efficient
The average dishwasher uses 27-54 gallons of water per load. Based on these figures, it’s not surprising that many Americans prefer to wash their dishes by hand. After all, washing plates in the sink only takes a few minutes, while running a full load of them in the dishwasher takes about two hours.
However, this fails to account for the amount of water used by your kitchen faucet, which dispenses around 1.5-2 gallons every minute. If you spend ten minutes washing dishes every day, you consume 105-140 gallons a week! That’s a lot of hot water, at least three times as much as a modern dishwasher uses in a single load.
Given this, it’s clear that your dishwasher is far more economical, especially if you live in a large household. To save money, only run your dishwasher when it’s full and make sure it’s properly loaded. Plates should face inward. Cups, bowls, and glasses should be placed face-down on the upper rack. Forks, spoons, and knives should be spaced evenly in the silverware basket. Finally, don’t double layer. If your dishes can’t fit comfortably without touching each other, run a second load.
Myth: Turning Lights On and Off Uses More Electricity
Every time you switch on a light bulb, there’s a brief surge of electricity as the filament heats up. Due to this spike in energy consumption, some people believe it’s better to leave your lights on all day, rather than turn them off when you leave a room. However, since the initial rush of power lasts only a few milliseconds, repeatedly flicking the lights on and off does not noticeably increase your energy use, especially not compared to the amount of electricity light bulbs consume over the course of a day.
Besides switching off your lights when they’re not in use, the best way to reduce your lighting costs is to replace incandescent bulbs with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). LED bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescents and last ten times as long, making them one of the fastest and cheapest ways to save energy.
Myth: Space Heaters Save Money
Space heaters are a good way to supplement your central heating system. But while they can help save money under certain circumstances, often they wind up costing money instead. That’s because space heaters consume around 1,500 watts an hour ‒ roughly the same as a small water heater. Running a space heater all day is expensive. If they’re used in multiple rooms of your home, costs are increased substantially.
Space heaters work best in small, confined areas such as bedrooms, offices, and workshops. Using them in large rooms with more than one person dissipates the heat, increasing costs without generating substantial warmth. They’re most effective in mild climates that don’t require full central heating. If you need to run one for more than a few hours, you either need to raise the settings on your thermostat, upgrade your heating system, check for drafts, or reinforce your insulation.
To reduce heating bills more efficiently, lower the temperature on your thermostat and dress in seasonal clothing or use blankets to stay warm. This reduces the length and number of heating cycles without jeopardizing your health or comfort. Dropping the setting from 72°F to 68°F cuts heating costs by 5-10 percent. Dropping it to 66°F or 65°F cuts them even further.
Myth: There’s No Reason to Spend Money On Better Products
While changing your energy habits can lead to considerable savings, the quality of your home systems is equally important. Investing in new appliances locks-in savings, providing better control over your internal environment at a fraction of the cost.
For maximum efficiency, purchase products with the ENERGY STAR label, which identifies appliances that perform above standard industry requirements. In addition to lowering energy costs, these devices also run quieter, maintain even temperatures, and often include advanced features that allow you to monitor and control them remotely.
Save on Energy Related Repairs with Agway
Reducing energy costs requires you to think long-term, not only about the amount of energy your systems are consuming, but what it will cost to maintain them in the future. Every device, no matter how well constructed, wears down over time. Home insurance doesn’t cover this type of damage, but we do. Agway EnergyGuard® protects your heating, cooling, and electrical systems from problems stemming from regular use.
When the need for repair occurs, our customers don’t waste time searching for a qualified technician. They call us instead. Our service team maintains an extensive network of electricians and HVAC contractors and sends the first available one straight to your door. There are no service fees or deductibles either. We pay for the visit and all covered parts. Don’t let an unexpected breakdown upset your finances. Sign up and start enjoying the benefits of EnergyGuard today!
