Myth Busters
Answer these 10 myth buster questions and find out if you're an energy saving guru!
You can't trust everything you hear and technology changes rapidly so how do you know what's right? These 10 questions will bust those urban myths to save you money and energy.
Note: To view and use the Myth Busters you require the Flash 8 Plugin to be installed on your machine. This can be downloaded for free from the Adobe website.
Myth #1:
Serial flickers
Fluorescent lights use a large amount of power when they start up, so its its better to leave them on.
Busted!
This myth has been around for a while. When fluorescent lamps were first invented it was true. With modern design, there is still a small surge of power when some lights are turned on. But this is much smaller than the energy used by running the light when you don't need it.
If you're going to be away for more than five minutes, switch the light off.
Myth #2:
Switch off
When my appliance is 'on standby' it doesn't use any power.
Busted!
Many appliances go into 'standby' power mode unless they are switched off at the powerpoint. Even in standby mode, appliances still use energy and cost you money.
Turn off appliances at the switch, or better still, the powerpoint, when they are not being used and save up to 10%25 on your household electricity bill.
Myth #3:
Save what?
Screen savers don't really save energy.
It's True!
When a screensaver is running, a computer can still be consuming the same amount of energy as when it is in use.
If you're going to be away for more than five minutes, switch the monitor off.
Myth #4:
Bright idea?
Low voltage halogen lights cost less to run.
Busted!
The wattage not the voltage affects the cost of electricity. So it costs the same amount to run a 50W low voltage light as it does to run a 50W normal voltage light. Also, you'll need more low voltage halogen lights in a room because down lights don't spread light as well as a light fitting that hangs from the ceiling.
The most efficient option is a compact fluorescent light.
Myth #5:
Crank it!
Turning up the thermostat means that the house will heat up faster.
Busted!
A thermostat works more like a light switch than a water tap. The heater or cooler runs at a constant speed and will keep going until the thermostat temperature is reached. If the temperature changes a few degrees, the unit will switch back on at the same constant speed.
If the thermostat is set to a higher temperature than needed, the system will simply run for longer.
Myth #6:
Shine on
Solar energy won't work with Victoria's climate
Busted!
Victoria has excellent solar resources and well-established technology. In fact, Mildura receives 90%25 of Brisbane's solar radiation levels. Victorians have access to 15%25 more solar energy than Barcelona in Spain and the same amount as North Africa.
For outdoor garden lighting, try solar-powered lights. The government also provides attractive rebates for solar hot water systems.
Myth #7:
Seal the gaps?
A few draughts don't really make much difference.
Busted!
Draught sealing around doors and windows can save up to 25%25 of heat losses and gains in many climate zones.
Put draught stoppers on all your doors and windows and save up to 800 balloons.
Myth #8:
Home sweet...
Compared to big business, households only produce a fraction of the greenhouse gases.
Busted!
By far the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions is from energy generation and use. In Victoria, energy used by the average household is responsible for almost 11 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, and it's on the increase.
By reducing your energy use at home, you can reduce your impact on climate change and save money.
Myth #9:
Flat or fat
LCD flat panel monitors use less energy than CRT (traditional) monitors
It's True!
A comparably-sized Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) computer monitor use around half as much electricity as a conventional Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitor.
If you turn down the brightness of the LCD screen, its consumption can be halved again, giving up to 75%25 energy savings.
Myth #10:
Stack or scrub
Dishwashers can use less water than washing in the sink
It's True!
Efficient dishwashers can use around 1-1.5 kilowatt-hours and 14 litres (around 1 sink full) of water to wash 12 place settings of dishes. You'd typically need several times this amount of water to hand wash the same dishes. Also rinsing under running hot water uses even more water and energy.
Depending on the model, if a modern dishwasher is fully loaded, it can use much less water than hand washing.
Myth #11:
Green house
Building a house that's comfortable and energy smart isn't expensive.
It's True!
It doesn't have to be about adding expensive extras. Through careful planning and by paying attention to orientation, climate and landscape, an energy efficient design will often save you money both during construction and in the years to come.
In many cases, good energy efficient design is cheaper in the short and long term.
Myth #12:
Keep it steady
Everyone should set their heating or cooling systems to a constant temperature, for example 22%b0C, all year round.
Busted!
In winter, 22°C may feel too hot and in summer it may feel too cold. People who live in hot climates have a higher tolerance for heat and will probably find that a much higher temperature than 22°C feels comfortable.
Our bodies adapt to changes in season and climate. Set your thermostat at 18-20%b0C in winter and no less than 26%b0C in summer.
Quick Action: Laundry
Washing clothes in cold water can save up to 4,300 balloons of greenhouse gas & $30 a year off your electricity bill.
