Amazing Energy Saving Discoveries!

**Nada.Leona** · 09-27-2007, 05:56 PM

Amazing Energy Saving Discoveries!
10 powerful energy myths revealed

Myth 1: It's more effient to leave a room at a constant temperature than turning the heat down overnight (or when you're not home).

Fact: It takes less energy to warm up a cold room in the morning than it does to maintain a constant temperature throughout the night.

Myth 2: Turning the thermostat up higher than the desired temperature makes the room heat up faster.

Fact: It takes the same amount of time for the temperature to reach 20 degrees whether the thermostat is set at 20 or 30 degrees.

Myth 3: Changing my energy use will not result in worthwhile savings.

Fact: You can save hundred of dollars a year by turning lights, TVs and computers off when they're not in use, lowering thermostat settings when away, and washing clothes in cold water.

Myth 4: Insulating my attic or basement will cause more heat to leak out of the windows.

Fact: Adding insulation to one part of a home saves energy and will not increase heat loss elsewhere.

Myth 5: Leaving a ceiling fan on will cool the room even when you're not there.

Fact: Fans work by cooling the skin, not the air in a room. Fans move the air which helps to evaporate moisture on the surface of the skin, making you feel cooler.

Myth 6: It's more efficient to leave lights on rather than turning them off because flicking the switch uses so much energy.

Fact: It's always more efficient to turn the lights off when the room is not being used.

Myth 7: Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) cost more than regular light bulbs.

Fact: In the long run, CFLs not only cost less than regular bulbs, they will save you money. You would need to buy 8 regular bulbs to last as long as one CFL, and CFLs use only a quarter of the energy. You can save about $50 over the life of just one CFL. Since a typical home has about 30 light fixtures, imagine the potential savings!

Myth 8: It's better to leave your computer running all the time because turning it on uses so much more energy.

Fact: You always save energy when you turn your computer off when it's not in use. Enable the "sleep" function to conserve enrgy during brief periods of inactivity.

Myth 9: Food will cook faster on the stove if you leave the setting on "high".

Fact: Leaving the setting on "high" does not cook food any faster. Once water is brought to a boil, save energy by turning the heat down and maintaining the boil with the pot covered.

Myth 10: When my TV, DVD, stereo and computer are turned off, they are not using any electricity.

Fact: These electronic devices use standby power even when turned off! Over a year this could cost you more than $100. Use a power bar to turn them off completely when they're not in use.

Taken from a flyer I received from my electric company.