8 Utility Bill Savings Myths To Stop Believing in 2024

Thanks to technological advancements, many money and energy-saving tips we’ve heard growing up are no longer true. But there are still a few myths floating around that many believe are saving them money on their utility bills.

Busting these myths will help you to save more money and be smarter about your energy usage.

This is mostly untrue. If you’re enrolled in a program that gives you discounted electricity at certain hours, it’s best to do the laundry or dishes during what’s known as “off-peak hours” — typically at night or on the weekends, reported CNET.

However, most people get their energy at standard rates. It doesn’t matter when you use energy, it’ll cost the same.

This may have been true years ago, but most homes today have Energy Star-certified dishwashers that use energy-efficient wash settings.

Energy Star dishwashers use less than half of the energy used when washing dishes by hand, according to the Department of Energy, and it saves over 8,400 gallons of water each year.

Plugged-in appliances and electronics still consume small amounts of energy even when they’re switched off. This is called “vampire” electricity, and you can unplug electronics when they’re not in use to help you cut down on your energy bills.

This is only partially a myth. A smart thermostat can save you money, but only if you use it correctly.

Also, Bob Vila noted that if you already used a programmable thermostat, installing a smart thermostat may not have that big of an impact on your utility bill.

Using space heaters in occupied rooms instead of turning on your home’s heating system is one of the least efficient ways to heat a space, except in short bursts, according to CNET. The only way space heaters save you money is if you are using oil or propane as fuel.

A natural gas heater will be much cheaper.

Closing vents can redirect hot or cold air to occupied rooms, but can actually cause pressure buildup and leaks in the HVAC ducts, according to Bob Vila. This can lead to energy waste.

Limiting your use of your household appliances can actually lead to premature wear and tear. For example, dishwashers were built to handle constant exposure to moisture, and if they just sit, the seals could start to crack and reduce the appliance’s lifespan.

Screensavers aren’t saving you money. In fact, according to Energy Star, graphics-intensive screensavers can cause the computer to use twice as much energy and prevent it from entering sleep mode.