Top 10 Energy Saving Tips—Fact or Fiction?

Given the importance of using energy more efficiently these days, it’s time to sort fact from fiction when it comes to tips about saving energy. Relying on information from reputable energy Web sites such as the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Energy Savers” (www.energysavers.gov/your_home), and the joint U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-U.S. Department of Energy's "Energy Star" (www.energystar.gov), Edison Electric Institute investigated some of the more common energy saving claims. Check out the answers below—what you learn may surprise you.

Want more information on how to really save energy in your home? Check out your electric utility’s Web site. Most include detailed, interactive pages about wise energy use and energy efficiency. Many electric companies also offer financial incentives to help their customers use electricity more wisely. For a state-by-state listing of electric utility programs, please visit www.eei.org/wiseuse/programs.

FACT OR FICTION:

A programmable thermostat allows you to turn on the heating or air-conditioning according to a pre-set schedule. But after being turned off for awhile, the furnace or air conditioner will end up using more energy to bring the house back to the desired temperature setting.

FICTION. Setting the thermostat so that the heating or cooling system doesn’t turn on for long periods, such as when you go to asleep or leave for the day, will save energy. It will take a little time and energy to rewarm or cool the house, but the system uses less energy during the down times. And the longer the down times, the higher the energy savings. To estimate your savings, use this rule of thumb: save about one-two percent of heating/cooling costs per degree of setback.
The largest energy-consuming appliance in your home after your heating or cooling system is the water heater.
FACT. Heating and cooling your home accounts for the largest percentage of the monthly energy bill—about two-thirds—and water heating is the second—accounting for about 16% of the energy consumed in your home. You can reduce your monthly water heating bills by selecting the appropriate water heater for your home or pool and by using some energy-efficient water heating strategies. These include lowering the water heater’s temperature setting to 120 degrees (check it with a thermometer under a tap), install low-flow showerheads, and wrap a blanket around the water heater if the tank feels warm to the touch.
You can save energy by hand washing dishes.
FICTION. It's commonly assumed that washing dishes by hand saves hot water. However, you can use less energy with an energy-efficient dishwasher when properly used and when only operating it with full loads.
One feature that makes a dishwasher more energy efficient is a booster heater. A booster heater increases the temperature of the water entering the dishwasher to the 140ºF recommended for cleaning. Some dishwashers have built-in boosters, while others require manual selection before the wash cycle begins. Another dishwasher feature that reduces hot water use is the availability of cycle selections. Shorter cycles require less water, thereby reducing energy cost.
Replace your windows and cut your heating and cooling bills in half.
FICTION. New windows can save you energy and money, they can even increase the comfort of your home and protect your valuable possessions from sun damage, but they can’t lower your utility bills by 50%. The Efficient Window Collaborative (www.efficientwindows.org) looked at potential energy savings in two climatic extremes—heating in Boston and air conditioning in Phoenix. They compared highly efficient windows—double pane, low-E glass in wood/vinyl frames—versus highly inefficient windows—clear, single pane windows in aluminum frames—and found that the typical home in Boston could expect winter heating bills to drop by 32%, and the typical home in Phoenix could expect summer cooling bills to drop by 16%.
Today's air conditioners use 30%–50% less energy than one that is 20 years old.
FACT. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20%–30% by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.

When buying an air conditioner, look for a model with a high efficiency. Central air conditioners are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Many older systems have SEER ratings of 10 or less. The minimum SEER allowed today is 13. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label for central air conditioners with SEER ratings of 14.5 or greater, but consider using air conditioning equipment with higher SEER ratings for greater savings.
How you landscape your yard can help lower your energy bills.
FACT. A well-designed landscape not only can add beauty to your home but it also can reduce your heating and cooling costs. On average, landscaping for energy efficiency provides enough energy savings to return an initial investment in less than 8 years.

Deciduous trees can block the summer sun for savings on your cooling bill, and when they lose their leaves in the winter, they can let the sunshine in to help lower your heating bills. Shrubs and groundcover plants can also help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Home electronics use electricity even when they are turned “off.”
FACT. Home electronic products use energy when they're off to power features like clock displays and remote controls. U.S. households spend about $50 per year to power devices while they are in this "standby" power mode. Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR use less energy in the standby mode, while providing the same performance and features as conventional models.
Hot water is always needed for clothes washing.
FICTION. About 90% of the energy used for washing clothes in a conventional top-load washer is for heating the water. Unless you’re dealing with oily stains, washing in cold water will generally do a good job of cleaning. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut energy use in half. Using the cold cycle reduces energy use even more.

Inefficient clothes washers can cost three times as much to operate than energy-efficient ones. Select a new machine that allows you to adjust the water temperature and levels for different loads. Efficient clothes washers spin-dry your clothes more effectively too, saving energy when drying as well. Also, front-loading machines use less water and, consequently, less energy than top loaders.
I can make energy-saving improvements without spending any money.
FACT. Consumers have many no-cost steps they can take to lower their monthly energy bill. These include raising the thermostat setting a few degrees in the summer and lowering it a few in the winter (save about one-two percent per degree on cooling/heating costs); shutting the door and vents in unused rooms (save up to three percent on heating and cooling costs); keeping the curtains closed on windows facing south or west during hot afternoons (save two–five percent on cooling costs); using a microwave oven instead of a regular oven (save at least 50% each time).
Living in an energy-efficient home means being uncomfortable.
FICTION. With today’s energy efficient appliances and smart energy use habits, you can actually cut your energy use while enjoying a more comfortable, convenient, and satisfying home. The key is to deliver the service you want (heating, air conditioning, entertainment, etc.) when you want it and in the most efficient way.