PEOPLE are swapping energy-saving tips to cut booming bills – but some popular beliefs are myths.
Does it use less power if you leave lights on when you leave a room for minutes, or switch them off and on again? Is using heating all day on low cheaper than short blasts on high?
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Does a smart meter, left, save you money? These questions get different responses, depending on who you ask.
And it pays to know the right answers. MoneySavingExpert.com said: “Some tips are fiercely debated and not everyone will agree.”
Sun Money today illuminates you on what is and is not fake news, so you will discover which of your friends are telling porkies about power.
Better to leave lights on for 10 minutes than turn them off and on
VERDICT: False. Fluorescent lights used higher amounts of energy flickering into life – not so with modern lights.
The Energy Saving Trust said: “Switching a light off for a few seconds will save more energy than it takes for it to be turned on again.”
Low heating all day is cheaper than putting on high when needed
VERDICT: False. Homes do not need a lot of energy to heat up. Modern boilers can take only 15 minutes.
Money SavingExpert.com said: “Having the heating on only when you need it saves more energy.”
Having a smart meter installed would not save me money
VERDICT: True. The gadgets do not mean you pay less for your power.
But they let users track energy use and so think about ways to cut consumption. They also send readings to a supplier so bills will be accurate.
It costs less to use an electric heater than a radiator
VERDICT: False. It uses double the power of a gas radiator to heat a room with an electric heater.
If you are only using one or two rooms, use your gas central heating but turn off radiators in the other rooms.
It is cheaper to use electricity during the night
VERDICT: True – for some. Four million households, which mainly use electric storage heaters, are on Economy 7 tariffs, paying less for energy used overnight but it’s not cheaper for people on normal tariffs.
Washing up by hand costs less than a dishwasher
VERDICT: False. If your machine is full, it’s cheaper to press the on button than get the Marigolds out. The energy-efficient setting uses the least power.
You’ll also save time and get cleaner dishes as machines use hotter water.
Putting clingfilm on windows can reduce your bills
VERDICT: True. It adds a fraction to insulation, like a mini extra sheet of glazing, helping to stop heat escaping through panes.
But it looks bad – and only single-glazed windows would really benefit from it.
Putting kitchen foil behind radiators cuts energy use
VERDICT: True. While this may sound far-fetched it really works. The foil reflects heat from the radiator back into the room, preventing heat loss.
This tip would have the biggest impact on radiator walls without insulation.
‘Save money and planet’
ACCOUNTANT Charlie Whiteman, 52, gets his sums right to save energy.
He turns off lights when leaving the room for a short time and uses his heating as little as possible. He knows using less energy is good for the planet too.
Single Charlie from Richmond, South West London, said: “There’s no point having lights on in an empty room. And there’s no need to have the heating on all day.
“I have mine on a timer but only for a bit of background temperature. I turn it up manually if I need more heat.
“Saving something is better than nothing and I’ll be following Sun Money’s tips to reduce my bill. If everyone saves a little bit, it will also help the environment.”
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