5 Energy Savings Myths

By Chris Balzer

Can we talk about saving energy?  Today, neighbors, friends, blogs, big box stores, to name a few, all want to offer advice on how to save energy.  Let’s face it, saving energy has an important impact which we all have a roll. Sometimes this advice can get confusing or contradicting and we decide to do nothing.  So here are 5 popular energy saving myths:

Myth #1:  Leaking tubs and faucets are not that big a deal.

Surprising, one faucet leaking two drops of water per second will waste 200 gallons of water in a month.  Two faucets will waste 400 gallons of water. Now what if the leak came from the hot water side? This puts a continual strain on your water heater and costs you money.  In most cases a few cent washer will fix the problem.

Tip:  To check if your faucet leaks, put a dry cup under the faucet at night.  Check the cup when you wake up; no water, no leak…

Myth #2: Leaving ceiling fans on cools down the room when you are not there.

This is a common practice but don’t be fooled. Fans do not cool the room- they only circulate air. We experience a cooling sensation from moisture evaporating from our skin.  Leaving fans on when we are not there is a waste of energy and money.

Myth #3: Closing off the vents in rooms you aren’t using improves your HVAC system’s output and efficiency.
Your HVAC system is sized for your entire home or a zone within your house. Closing off vents in certain rooms could actually lower the system’s efficiency.  In addition, with forced air systems, closing off vents could create a buildup of pressure in ducts, which could cause cracks and gaps in ducts leaking conditioned air.

Myth #4:  Setting the thermostat lower in the summer cools down a home faster and likewise in the winter.
HVAC systems are designed to operate at maximum power when they are first turned on. They won’t produce cooler air just because the setting is set extremely low or high. They will run longer wasting energy and money attempting to achieve arctic temperatures. Tip:  Installing a programmable thermostat like the NEST allows you to control settings remotely from your mobile device saving you energy.

Myth #5:  Appliances like TV’s, monitors when off, and chargers not charging devices don’t use energy.  It is not necessary to unplug them.
Anything with a digital display, remote control or turns on instantly are constantly drawing energy.  Charges for cell phones, cameras, tablets, are known as “energy vampires” for a reason. Even if they are not attached to their device they continue to draw power from the outlet.  Pull the plug or flip the switch on your power strip and start saving energy. Saving energy and becoming more efficient does not have to be difficult or costly. Anything we can do to save energy today has an impact on our world tomorrow.

Chris Balzer is Founder and President of Emerald Coast Energy Solutions and resides in the Santa Rosa Beach area with his wife and 3 Children.  For more information on how to save this summer and become energy efficient schedule an inspection by calling (850) 588-2870, visit www.trusteces.com or email wecare@trusteces.com and Beat the Heat.