The recent energy price increases has resulted in many households looking to reduce the amount of energy their house consumes.
The first step in reducing energy consumption is to find out how energy efficient your home is. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessment uses several factors to give your home an energy rating and suggest areas for improvement.
You may already be looking for ways to reduce energy consumption and derive strategies. However, depending on whose advice you take, certain strategies may be ineffective if not thought out correctly, and some are outright myths.
So, let’s take a look at whether the most common strategies work, to save you time, effort, and money.
1) Turn off hot water when not in use
This practice won’t reduce your energy consumption. The best way to combat wasting hot water is to ensure that your hot water tank is fitted with a high-quality jacket to insulate the tank and prevent heat from escaping.
2) Using reflective panels behind the radiator
Installing reflective panels behind radiators to reflect heat into a room, sounds great on paper. However, if you intend to use them on the inside walls of your home, it won’t have any impact on preventing heat from escaping.
Instead, this method is better suited if your radiator is located on an outside wall as it can prevent some heat from escaping. It’s important to use a material that’s designed for this purpose as other materials could pose a risk of fire, or simply melt due to the heat.
3) Getting carpets fitted, and closing curtains
Fitting carpets and keeping curtains drawn is a good way to add another layer of insulation to a home. Carpets can help insulate the floor and curtains can reduce draughts and prevent heat from escaping. Therefore, it would be wise to use this strategy for the rooms you spend the most time in so you don’t have to fork out a huge sum of money having your entire home carpet fitted.
4) Placing a sponge in the letterbox, or using cling film around the windows
It’s a good idea to reduce draughts around your home; however, using the correct material is crucial. Cling film around the window is time-consuming and not as effective as other materials. There is specific draught-proofing material available for doors and windows which are more effective than the DIY approach.
It’s also extremely helpful to double, or triple glaze your windows, so you won’t lose as much heat and therefore, reduce your energy usage and save money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common energy saving myths in UK homes?
Common myths include the idea that it’s cheaper to leave heating on all day, that turning appliances on and off uses more energy, and that dishwashers use more water and electricity than hand washing. In reality, these claims are often false, and many modern appliances and heating systems are designed to work efficiently with normal on-off use patterns.
Does turning your heating on and off use more energy?
No, this is a myth. Heating systems do not use extra energy when restarting. In most cases, it is more efficient to heat your home only when needed rather than keeping it at a constant temperature all day. Energy use depends on how much heat is required overall, not how frequently the system switches on and off.
Is it cheaper to leave lights and appliances on instead of switching them off?
No, this is also false. If a device or light is on, it is using electricity, and if it is off, it is not. Modern appliances use very little extra energy during startup, so switching things off when not in use is one of the simplest ways to reduce energy consumption and lower bills.
Do dishwashers really use more energy than washing up by hand?
In most cases, dishwashers are actually more efficient than hand washing, especially when run on eco settings and fully loaded. They typically use less hot water than washing dishes manually, which reduces both energy and water consumption over time.
Are energy saving myths affecting EPC ratings and home efficiency?
Indirectly, yes. Misunderstanding how energy use works can lead to inefficient habits that increase consumption. While EPC ratings are based on the physical performance of a property, not behaviour, adopting correct energy-saving practices alongside home improvements can help reduce bills and maximise the benefit of a better EPC-rated home.