Busting energy saving myths

Rising energy prices mean we are all looking for ways to be more energy efficient. When it comes to energy saving tips, there are plenty of myths around which could actually save you money.

To help you adopt the tips that will save you energy, here are some of the most common myths.

Turning a light on and off uses more energy than leaving it on

False. Although some low-energy bulbs do need a little extra power when switched on, this is minimal. Unless you’re only leaving a room for a minute or two, you will save energy by switching the lights off.

A shower is more energy-efficient than a bath

Keep your shower short and sweet and it should be more energy-efficient. But linger for a long time and you could end up using more water and energy than you would with a bath.

Appliances don’t use energy when they’re turned off

This is true if you unplug them. Leaving appliances on standby costs the average household £55 per year according to the Energy Saving Trust. So unplug anything you are not using.

Washing at a low temperature won’t clean my clothes

Modern detergents are designed to get your clothes clean at lower temperatures. So you won’t see any difference if you drop the temperature from 40°C to 30°C other than cheaper energy bills.

It’s cheaper to leave the heating on low all day than to turn it on and off

It might feel more energy-efficient to have the heating on low to heat cold rooms but it will cost more to do this. Even in a well-insulated home you will lose heat, and you don’t need it to be toasty when you’re out at work or tucked up in bed.

Energy saving tips

As well as ditching the myths, the Energy Saving Trust has some tips for quick and easy ways to save energy.

• shower for four minutes or less and save £70 a year
• swapping a weekly bath for a shower adds another £12 a year saving
• don’t overfill the kettle and fit water-efficient tap aerators to save £36 a year
• draught-proofing your home and insulating your hot water tank can save £80 a year
• avoid using the tumble drier, for an annual saving of £60
• cut one dishwasher cycle per week to save £14 a year

These six tips together could shave a £272 off the average home’s annual energy bills. As well as helping the planet by reducing your carbon footprint.

Co-op Insurance can also help you to protect your home. Visit our home insurance website to find out more and get a quote.