The rising cost of energy is of grave concern to homes and businesses alike. If recent media reports are anything to go by, prices could go up again in April when the current rebate scheme for homes comes to an end. 

Thankfully, there’s no shortage of tips and tricks on what you can do to lower your energy consumption and bills. That said, freely dispensed well-meaning advice is not always the best advice. In fact, so-called energy-saving myths are probably far more widespread than you might think. In this article, let’s try to sort fact from fiction and debunk some of the most pervasive myths that are still circulating out there.

1.      Leaving the heating on low all day and night is cheaper than turning it on and off

Probably the most common misguided piece of advice is that, in order to save money, you should leave the central heating on low day and night. The idea is based on the thinking that it takes more energy to warm up a cold house than to keep the temperature constant throughout.

Unfortunately, the above advice ignores the important fact that all properties lose heat. Granted, some buildings are better insulated to retain heat and therefore more energy-efficient than others. But, unless you live in an air-tight house, some warm air will escape in all directions – through the roof, walls, floor, windows and doors.

Keeping the central heating switched on at all hours, then, means you’re spending money on heating non-stop, trying to replace the warmth that’s being lost which, in turn, can be hugely wasteful and potentially eye-wateringly expensive.

2.      Electric heating is more efficient than gas central heating

Many people have been told that plugging in an electric heater is cheaper than putting the central heating on. It is certainly the case that electric heating is 100% efficient at the point of use. What’s more, electric fires are generally deemed to be more sustainable options than gas and woodburning stoves since electricity can be generated from renewable sources and without any nasty toxic emissions. “Electric fires are the future,” declares one independent supplier, “and in the past 5 years, the best manufacturers in the UK have realised that and introduced some stunning new ranges.”

However, the green credentials of electricity (from renewable sources) notwithstanding, gas is a less expensive energy source per unit. And, in general, radiators running off a gas boiler are a cheaper way to heat your property. In fact, using electric heaters will cost about twice as much as switching the central heating on, though it does depend on how much of the property you are choosing to heat.

3.      Smart meters will save you money on energy bills

Sadly, as it stands, this is a misleading statement. What’s more, it is an oft-repeated assertion that is routinely used by energy companies’ marketing campaigns to great effect to persuade their customers to book a smart meter installation. In fact, all that smart meters do is replace your existing gas and electricity meters with a ‘connected’ device that measures your usage and automatically sends meter readings to the supplier on a regular basis. This, on its own, will have no impact whatsoever on your energy consumption or the size of your bills.

That being said, smart meters can make a dramatic difference in terms of your awareness of your daily energy use. The small portable in-home display that comes with the smart meter continually monitors the energy you’re using and shows you exactly how much you are spending, in real time. Seeing the impact of your energy use per hour, per appliance, per day or whatever metric you choose, spelt out in pounds and pence, can motivate you to change your behaviour and become much more focused on saving energy.

4.      Turning the heating on high will heat the house up faster

Another common misconception is the belief that the higher you turn up the thermostat, the quicker your property will warm up and the sooner you can turn the heating off again, thereby saving money. Sadly, this is wishful thinking that simply just doesn’t add up.

Boilers work to heat up your house at the same speed, regardless of whether the thermostat is set to 20 or 30 degrees. Turning it up higher may mean you actually waste money as the temperature rises by more than necessary, potentially adding hundreds of pounds to your energy bill. In fact, the opposite is the case. The best way to save money on your heating bills is by turning the thermostat down by one or two degrees!