October is National Energy Awareness Month; a starting point for learning how to incorporate energy-saving practices that last the entire year. With a variety of tips and options available, how can you tell what is fact and what is fiction? At Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), our goal is to help homeowners save energy and possibly save money on their monthly energy bill - even if that means busting popular energy myths.
Myth: Closing vents in your home can reduce heating/cooling costs.
Fiction. Whether running your furnace or air conditioning, closing vents can lead to higher energy bills due to your HVAC system working harder to circulate air through fewer vent options. This could cause damage to your system due to pressure imbalances. Consider using a smart thermostat to regulate the temperature in your home. Additionally, ensure air leaks are patched around windows and doors to keep cool air in during the summer and cool air out in the winter.
Myth: Hand washing dishes saves more energy and money than running your dishwasher.
Fiction. Hand washing dishes often involves running hot water continuously. A dishwasher, especially those that are Energy Star certified, will be more efficient with heating the smaller supply of water needed for use. If you want to start saving with an Energy Star certified dishwasher, browse the selection on the I&M marketplace, where you can find additional energy-saving products for any room of your home.
Myth: Adjusting your thermostat beyond normal set points will not heat or cool your room faster.
Fact. Setting your thermostat to a drastically different temperature than usual will not make your room heat or cool any faster. Thermostats simply function as an on/off switch for your HVAC system and don’t control its speed or power output. By setting your thermostat to extreme temperatures, you can be prone to unnecessary energy use. Take time to get used to a room’s temperature when coming in from outside before adjusting your thermostat – chances are, you may not need to make a change.
Myth: Ceiling fans should run counterclockwise in the winter.
Fiction. Ceiling fans should run clockwise in the winter. This rotation at a low speed will create an updraft that moves warm air from the ceiling down into the room. In the summer months, ceiling fans should be adjusted to spin counterclockwise to create a downdraft that feels like a cool breeze to people in the room. Ensuring your ceiling fan is rotating the correct direction can allow a thermostat to be adjusted higher or lower, depending on the season, while remaining comfortable.
Myth: An annual HVAC tune-up can reduce your heating costs by up to 5%.
Fact. Trust the experts: regular HVAC maintenance can reduce energy consumption by at least 5%. For some households, this can result in significant savings over the year. Maintaining your HVAC system’s efficiency can also extend its lifespan, offering further future savings. Scheduling regular maintenance for other units, such as your air conditioner and furnace, can also ensure reliable comfort no matter the season.
Myth: Microwaves, toaster ovens and slow cookers can use 75% less energy than a large electric oven.
Fact. Smaller appliances provide smaller heating spaces, opposed to a full-sized oven, resulting in less energy consumed. Microwaves and toaster ovens are also designed for specific types of cooking like reheating small portions of food, which optimizes energy use. If oven use is needed for a meal or baking, ensure you group together everything that needs cooked/baked to prevent continuous reheating.
Learn more about energy-saving practices, preparing your home for the cooler months ahead, understanding your energy use and more during October’s National Energy Awareness Month. Browse energy-saving tips, products, rebates and discounts to help kickstart your savings by visiting www.ElectricIdeas.com.
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