‘Half (50 per cent) of all UK householders think it’s cheaper to leave their home heating on all day than turning the heating on or off and up or down when required.’

This finding is part of an energy saving mythbusting survey commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust as part of Big Energy Saving Week, which highlights the perceptions of the UK public and how they don’t always match the reality of the energy saving action or statement.

Energy Saving Trust chief executive Phillip Sellwood said: “We commissioned this survey to bust some of the top energy saving myths we encounter on a daily basis.”

“We know it’s important for the UK public to stay warm and cosy in their homes. But for the majority the most cost-effective way to do this is to turn the heating on and off or up and down when required rather than leaving it on all day at a lower temperature. This ensures that heat is not wasted and that your home will be at a comfortable temperature.

“Throughout Big Energy Saving Week, the Energy Saving Trust and partners will provide practical solutions and advice to help households save money on their energy bills. For us, saving energy – not wasting it – is the right thing to do and makes total sense.”

According to figures from the Energy Saving Trust, the UK could collectively save nearly £4.4 billion on energy bills if householders took three energy saving actions in the home.

These are:

• Turn it off – Make sure you turn your lights, appliances and chargers off when you’re not using them. Virtually all electrical and electronic appliances can safely be turned off at the plug without upsetting their systems.
• Turn it down – Many households have their central heating set higher than they need, without even realising it. If it’s too warm inside, try turning your room thermostat down by one degree and see if you are still at a comfortable temperature. Every degree that you turn it down will make additional savings to your heating bill.
• Let there be light – Households can now get LED spotlights that are bright enough to replace halogens, as well as regular energy saving bulbs (‘compact fluorescent lamps’ or CFLs) for pretty much everything else. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and fittings and can save households money on their energy bills.

Big Energy Saving Week takes place between Monday 27 and Friday 31 January, with the week aiming to raise awareness of energy and efficiency issues among the UK public through joint working between the voluntary sector and energy suppliers.

The week has taken place twice previously and is funded by the largest six energy companies., with involvement from Citizens Advice Bureau, Energy Saving Trust, Age UK, ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), Consumer Futures, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), Ofgem, Energy UK and National Energy Action.

About the 10 energy saving myths

1.    Leaving the heating on all day on a low temperature is cheaper than turning the heating up and down or on and off as needed.

FALSE: For the majority of householders leaving your room thermostat on all day at a lower temperature will not only mean that your home will never be at a comfortable temperature but it will also waste heat when you do not need it. Room thermostats turn the heat on and off when your home reaches the set temperature that you feel comfortable at. Combine this with a timer control that tells your heating system to come on only when you need it to save money on your energy bills.

2.    Cranking up the thermostat heats your home faster.

FALSE: Your room thermostat turns your heating system on or off according to a set temperature. No matter how high you set the temperature, the rate at which your central heating distributes heat remains constant. To heat your home faster, install better insulation. This decreases the rate at which heat is lost through your walls, loft, windows, and floor –  heating your home faster and keeping it warm for longer.

3.    Electrical appliances, such as TVs, laptops, phone chargers, etc, don’t use electricity when they’re plugged-in but not in-use.

FALSE: Some electrical appliances and chargers draw energy even when the devices are not being used. This ‘vampire power’ wastes energy, and the best way to avoid this is to remember to switch off at the wall and pull out the plug.

4.    It is cheaper to run appliances, such as washing machines, at night than during the day.

This may be true, but not for most of us. While some households in the UK are on tariffs that vary depending on the time of day, such as Economy 7, the majority of customers pay the same rate at all times of day and night. However, if you know you are already on an Economy tariff, or are considering switching to one, then running appliances during off-peak periods will be cheaper.

5.    With traditional light-bulbs fittings, you cannot do a straightforward swap with energy saving bulbs and LED light bulbs.

FALSE: Energy saving and LED light bulbs come in all shapes and sizes and can now be fitted in down-lighters, free-standing lamps and traditional pendants.

6.    Putting plastic tape and a layer of cling-film around draughty windows is a better option at keeping heat in the home than draught excluders or double glazing.

FALSE:  Although physically blocking gaps around your windows with cling film or plastic tape may stop draughts and reduce heat loss, this will not be as effective as draught excluders or double glazing. These more permanent measures reduce heat loss more effectively – keeping your warmer and saving money on your heating bills.

7.    Cavity wall insulation causes damp in the home.

FALSE: In most cases Cavity wall insulation is likely to alleviate and not exacerbate damp in a home. A combination of proper insulation, adequate ventilation and balanced heating in a home will help avoid cold spots and moisture from condensing on your walls. Assessors should be able to advise you as to whether your home is suitable for insulation and any potential risk from damp.

8.    Solar panels don’t generate electricity on a cloudy day.

FALSE: Whilst solar panels will work most effectively in bright sunlight, they nonetheless continue to collect energy from diffuse light even on a cloudy day. Summer months are the most productive as there are longer daylight hours than in winter.

9.    When using a desktop computer, screensavers save energy.

FALSE: Because your screen remains on, screensavers are basically another programme which consumes energy like any other. While computers have timed sleep settings which do use less energy, switching off your monitor or even your whole computer when taking breaks is the most effective way to stop energy being wasted.

10.  It’s difficult and a hassle to switch energy suppliers.

FALSE: There are a number of energy price comparison companies where you can find the cheapest tariff for your area by checking online or by telephone. Once you have filled in the application with your main details, which typically takes around half an hour, the energy provider will sort the switch for you. Finding the deal that’s best for you, and switching energy supplier, can be a great way to reduce your energy bills.

The above information is taken from  a Press Release issued by the Energy Saving Trust on the 28^th January

Energy Saving Trust is a social enterprise group with a charitable Foundation.
Energy Saving Trust gives impartial, accurate and independent advice to households, communities and organisations on how to reduce carbon emissions, reduce fuel bills, use water more sustainably and drive smarter. Energy Saving Trust works with governments, local authorities, communities, third sector organisations and businesses. Our activities include:

• Delivering or managing government programmes.
• Testing low-carbon technology.
• Certification and assurance for businesses and consumer goods.
• Developing models and tools to gain further insight into energy efficiency.

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk