Debunking Energy-Saving Myths

Cooking with the microwave saves energy:

FACT While cooking constitutes a small portion of your electric bill, using the microwave instead of the oven or stove can still cut costs significantly. Microwaves are quicker, use less energy, and are especially beneficial in the summer as they don't add extra heat to the kitchen, reducing the workload on your air conditioner.

Running appliances at night is cheaper:

MOSTLY FICTION This is true only if you have discounted electricity during off-peak hours. Otherwise, the standard rates apply, making no difference in cost based on the time of day.

Electric space heaters or cooling fans are efficient for occupied rooms:

FICTION Electric heaters are actually inefficient and can be more expensive than using your central heating & cooling system to warm or cool the entire house.

Closing vents in unoccupied rooms saves energy:

FICTION Closing vents does not make your home produce less heat; instead, it disrupts the system's balance and makes it work harder.

Handwashing dishes saves water:

FICTION Using a dishwasher with energy efficiency settings actually consumes less hot water than handwashing.

Screensavers save energy:

FICTION Screensavers use energy while running; it's better to let your computer go to sleep or turn off the monitor.

Frequently turning electronics on and off wastes energy: FICTION Modern electronics are designed to handle frequent power cycles without significant energy waste.