Energy-Saving Myths That Don’t Actually Lower Your Bills

Think you’re cutting your electric bill? Some popular energy-saving habits might not be as effective as you think, and a few could even end up costing you more.

Many energy tips get repeated because they seem like good advice. While some were helpful in the past, others only make a small difference. A few might even waste your time or money.

Let’s take a look at some popular “savings” strategies that often don’t give the results you expect.

1. Line-Drying Clothes To Cut Energy Costs

Line-drying saves energy only if you don’t have an energy-efficient (EnergyStar) dryer — and if it replaces the majority of your dryer loads, and it doesn’t create other costs.

Where it falls apart: If you rely on the dryer for many loads, the savings are minimal.

Additionally, “line-drying” clothes indoors can increase humidity, which may cause your air conditioner or dehumidifier to work harder (and use more energy).

Extra wear, wrinkles, and longer drying times often mean more ironing—another energy user.

Reality: If your dryer is an energy hog, line-drying can save money when it replaces most of your dryer use. And it can make sense indoors during cold months, when your damp clothes can add moisture to your home’s dry winter air. Otherwise, the savings are minimal.

Choose it because of the other benefits of line-drying clothing, rather than just to lower your electric bill.

2. Unplugging Phone Chargers When Not in Use

This one won’t move the needle.

Most modern chargers draw very little power when nothing is connected—often pennies per year.

Reality: As for saving money, focus on bigger energy users instead. However, daily unplugging may extend the life of your charges and possibly reduce the risk of fire, according to some experts.

3. Turning the HVAC System Completely Off During the Day

Turning off your system may seem like a good idea, but it often backfires.

What happens:

• Your house heats up or cools down too much.
• The system has to work harder (and longer) to get your home back to a comfortable temperature once you turn the system back on.
• In extreme heat or cold, that recovery can cost more than steady moderation.

Reality: During extreme-temperature seasons, set the thermostat back a few degrees instead of turning it off.

4. Using Space Heaters To “Save” on Heating

Space heaters can seem like a budget-friendly option since they heat just one room. However, they can actually be one of the pricier ways to stay warm.

Here’s why: They use a significant amount of electricity.

Running multiple heaters can cost more than central heat. People often leave them on longer than planned.

Reality: It’s best to think of space heaters as a great solution for short-term heating rather than a main heating source.

5. Replacing Every CFL With an LED and Expecting Big Savings

LEDs are more efficient than CFLs—but most of us already captured the major lighting savings years ago when incandescent bulbs disappeared and we switched to CFLs. That means the jump from CFL → LED is a much smaller money saver than the earlier incandescent → CFL change.

If you:

• Replace working CFLs throughout the house
• Swap bulbs in closets, hallways or spare rooms
• Throw away bulbs that still have plenty of life left

…the payback can be so slow that you don’t come out ahead for a long time.

Reality: Focus on using LEDs in the fixtures you use the most as your CFLs burn out. The real win is avoiding the cost of replacing bulbs that are still working, not rushing to change everything at once.

6. Turning Off Lights Obsessively (While Ignoring Big Appliances)

Flipping off lights matters less than people think—especially compared to appliances that run for hours. Sure, it’s a great habit to turn off the lights as you leave a room, but don’t give it a second thought if someone in your household sometimes forgets.

Instead, focus on what often gets overlooked:

• Old refrigerators or freezers
• Second fridges in garages
• Electric water heaters
• Inefficient HVAC systems

Reality: One inefficient appliance can wipe out months of light-switch vigilance.