Many of us like to think we’re savvy when it comes to trying to save money on our energy bills.
Over the years you migth have found yourself thinking you’ve learnt a thing or two about cutting costs.
But it turns out we might have picked up one or two mistakes along the way. And an expert says these could now be costing us money, reports the Daily Star.
And with the cost of living continuing to hit families in the pocket, it is worth looking at some of the money saving myths that could be costing you cash.
Myths like dishwashers using far more water than hand washing, or that tumble dryers are not cost-effective when drying clothes, circulate the internet all the time.
For those seeking clarity on appliances rumours, look no further. Gwilym Snook, appliance expert at AO.com, has offered some handy tips. Here’s how to make the most of your energy.
Are dishwashers really more costly?
The debate between buying a dishwasher and washing your plates by hand rages on regularly. And it appears the dishwasher could actually use less energy.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, hand-washing dishes accounts for around 4% of an average household’s water use. While dishwashers only make up 1%.
The takes into account washing the dishes while leaving the tap running – a common mistake that actually leads to more households finding themselves out of pocket. Using a dishwasher meanwhile ensures the water is the right temperature and clean enough to wash dishes thoroughly – something far more difficult to achieve with hand-washing.
There is a common misconception that using an eco cycle uses more energy because it takes longer. But in truth, each eco setting uses a lower temperature and less water.
This means, on average, economy functions use 30% less energy and water when compared to a standard function.
Are tumble dryers dearer than air drying?
A common myth, experts say, is that tumble drying your clothing is more expensive because the appliances are an extra burden to your bill – this again appears to be wrong.
A heat pump tumble dryer costs 63p for an average cycle. Which is a smaller figure than using central heating to dry your clothing this winter.
Heat pump dyres recycle the hot hair created inside the drum to dry clothing, which saves energy and is the eco-friendlier choice. To reduce costs even further this winter, you can look to dry your clothes between 10pm and 8am during off-peak electricity hours.
Are electric ovens pricey?
Many households appear reluctant to buy an electric oven over cost fears. But they could actually consume less energy than you might think, reports the Star.
An average electric oven only accounts for around 8% of a household electricity bill. A tiny fraction considering a fridge is 30% of the same usage.
However, be mindful when using your oven, as you don’t want to needlessly waste energy. Only preheat your oven when necessary, and be sure to clean your oven once a month so it runs efficiently.
Do old fridges save money?
A well-known myth is that and older fridges save you money, however, this is simply not true. Old refrigerators use far more energy than newer fridges and cost more to run daily.
Newer fridges offer better energy-efficiency and have greater features than their older counterparts. Modern additions like autodefrost also help make fridges more efficient.
To help keep your fridge energy-efficient, make sure it is stocked up so that the temperature stays cooler for longer. As a rule of thumb, leave roughly 20% as open space to ensure your fridge runs efficiently.
Do appliances use power in standby?
A commonly believed myth is that appliances don’t use power in standby mode. Unfortunately, this is false – when an appliance like your TV or microwave is on standby mode, it will still use a notable volume of electricity.
Instead, either turn the plug off at the switch, or simply remove it to make sure your appliances aren’t on. Alternatively, you can look at smart home technology, which will allow you to control your devices at a click of a button.
Keep on top of standby mode and you’ll notice a change to your electricity bills.
