Mythbusters

Walton EMC’s energy advisors are local experts who provide honest, straightforward solutions to help with your questions and concerns. We asked them to dispel a few tall tales about electricity use to help you get the most out of your energy.

MYTH: The higher I set the thermostat, the faster my home will heat up.

FACT: The system runs at full power regardless. Set the thermostat to your desired temp to stay comfortable and save energy.

MYTH: The auxiliary setting on my thermostat is for a quick heat-up of my house.

FACT: Auxiliary heat is a secondary, less-efficient heating source that should be used only in a genuine emergency. Prolonged or unnecessary use of auxiliary heat can cost about two to five times as much as running normal heat.

MYTH: Turning off electronics stops energy use.

FACT: Most electronics still draw “phantom power” (standby energy) when plugged in. They suck up roughly 10% of the electricity used in the average home. Unplugging or using smart strips is best.

MYTH: Sealing air leaks around doors and windows isn’t worth the trouble.

FACT: Drafts can waste 5% to 30% of your energy use. One of the best ways to lower your winter energy bill is to seal leaks with easy-to-install weatherstripping and caulking.

MYTH: Space heaters are an energy-efficient way to heat my home.

FACT: Portable space heaters are energy hogs that can cause a surprising hit to your electricity bill.

MYTH: There’s no difference in generic charging cables and the more expensive ones that come with the original equipment.

FACT: Using cheap, uncertified generic phone chargers is risky and not recommended, as they can cause overheating, battery damage, electric shock, and even fires, potentially voiding your device’s warranty.

MYTH: The temperature setting on my electric water heater doesn’t significantly affect my electric bill.

FACT: Many conventional water heaters are set to 140º by installers, but most households don’t need that much steam, and end up paying for it. Lowering the temperature to the warm setting (120º) can reduce your water heating costs by up to 10%.

MYTH: The ENERGY STAR labels on major home appliances, like refrigerators, are just advertising.

FACT: The ENERGY STAR certification indicates appliances that are energy efficient. Compared to models with no efficiency rating, they can reduce your average monthly electric bill.