The following is a list of myths about energy and energy savings. Sometimes the basic premise is correct, but the energy savings are much smaller than people realize. In other cases the myth is based on factors that were once true but have been subsequently resolved through better design or manufacturing of products.

Dimming my incandescent lights by 50% will cut my lighting bill in half.

Actually, the relationship is not linear and savings will be less than expected. As the voltage drops, the filament cools, the wavelength spectrum of the light output shifts further into the infra-red, and efficacy thus suffers. Interestingly, fluorescent dimming is more linear and the savings for dimming are proportionately higher.




When my appliance is turned-off, it's off.

In fact, we've found that most devices continue to consume power when they're switched off, sometimes as much power as when they're on!




Cleaning refrigerator coils saves energy.

While this seems intuitively logical, and very small savings may indeed arise, the few efforts to actually measure this effect have typically come up empty-handed. This is a classic example of a widely held belief based on assumptions rather than measurements.




Halogen lighting is super-efficient.

Although it's true that halogen lights use slightly less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, the halogen lights require transformers to operate, which can use extra energy, even when the light is off. They are also a fire hazard. By comparison, compact fluorescent lights are nearly three-times as efficient and don't pose a fire hazard.




Cold water from the tap will freeze into ice cubes faster than hot water.

Actually, hot water freezes faster than cold water because it evaporates, leaving 25 percent less water to freeze.




Keeping your thermostat at the same temperature day and night uses less energy than turning it down at night and heating your home up again in the morning.

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




Buying an efficient air conditioner or furnace will automatically reduce my energy bill.

Although this is true to some extent, you won't realize all the possible savings if the equipment is not sized or installed properly. Studies have shown that typical air conditioner and duct systems are improperly installed, wasting 1/3 or more of the energy used by the air conditioner. New and replacement equipment (and ducts) need to be properly designed and installed to realize all the possible savings.

Cowtown Electric (metro) 214-533-7622 paul @ cowtownelectric.com (without spaces)