5 Myths and Misconceptions About Residential Energy Consumption

Much of what many people believe about energy use is outdated, misunderstood or completely false. The myths and misconceptions that are out there can lead to more wasted energy than they claim you’ll save. Let’s separate fact from fiction so you can make more informed decisions about your energy consumption.

Myth #1: Leaving lights on uses less energy than turning them on and off.

This myth comes from the days of old incandescent bulbs, when frequent switching was believed to shorten the bulbs’ lifespans. People also believe that there’s a large “power surge” that happens every time you flip on a switch. The tiny “surge” that happens lasts for less than a fraction of a second, and it uses far less energy than leaving lights on 24/7 does. Turning off the lights when you leave a room is always the more energy-efficient way to go.

Myth #2: Ceiling fans cool entire rooms.

For people who live in especially hot states, like we do here in Texas, it’s a common belief that leaving the ceiling fans on 24/7 keeps their homes cooler. This is false. Fans don’t lower the temperature of a room. Instead, they create a draft that has a cooling effect on the people in the room. Running a fan in an empty room does nothing but waste electricity. Make it a habit to turn them off when you walk out, just like you would with a light.

Myth #3: Cranking the AC cools or heats the house faster.

Thermostats don’t function as heating or cooling accelerators. They don’t make your HVAC system work faster just because you set a super low or high temperature. It will run at the same speed no matter the temperature you set. Setting it to an extreme only forces your system to run longer, using more energy than necessary. Set your thermostat to your preferred temperature every time. No need to overcompensate.

Myth #4: Energy-efficient appliances are too expensive to be worth it.

It’s true that energy-efficient appliances can come with a higher upfront price tag than their traditional counterparts. Unfortunately, this leads people to believe that they’re not worth the investment, but they more than pay for themselves in terms of the savings they unlock. Think about it. Major appliances like HVAC systems and refrigerators are used for 10-15 years. In that amount of time, they can save you thousands of dollars on your electricity bills. On top of that, many utility companies and local governments offer financial incentives for using energy-efficient models.

Myth #5: Devices on standby don’t use energy.

Most people believe that when they power down their devices, they stop using electricity. This isn’t always the case. Even when they’re powered off or not in use, electronic devices, chargers and appliances continue to draw power. Most people know this phenomenon as “standby energy” or “phantom energy drain.” 

Although it may seem small, standby energy can account for 5-10% of your total energy consumption. Over time, that leads to significant energy costs. Instead of powering down or putting devices on standby, unplug them completely when not in use or plug them into a smart power strip, which cuts off the electricity supply automatically.

Don’t give myths any power. Take control of your home’s energy today.

Don’t let these myths and misconceptions about residential energy get in your way of saving money. Instead, use the truths we discussed here to make informed, mindful decisions about your consumption. When you switch to prepaid power, it becomes easy to do that. With a pay-as-you-go model and real-time usage tracking, you can stay in control of your energy costs. Learn more about prepaid electricity with Pronto Power, a trusted Texas electric company, today by contacting us online.