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

Think you’re cutting your electric bill? Some popular energy-saving habits barely make a dent—and a few can even cost more.

A lot of energy tips get repeated because they sound smart. Some were true years ago. Some help a tiny bit. Others quietly waste time—or even money. Here are common “savings” moves that usually don’t deliver.

1. Line-Drying Clothes To Cut Energy Costs

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

Where it falls apart: If you still use the dryer for most loads, the savings are minimal.

Indoor line-drying can raise humidity, pushing your AC or dehumidifier to work harder.

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

Reality: Line-drying saves money in dry weather when it replaces most of your dryer use. Otherwise, the savings are minimal. Choose it because of the other benefits of line-drying clothing—not because you expect a lower electric bill.

2. Unplugging Phone Chargers When Not in Use

This one won’t move the needle.

Most modern chargers draw negligible 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

Shutting your system off sounds smart, but it often backfires.

What happens:

• Your house heats up or cools down too much.
• The system then works harder (and longer) to recover.
• 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; don’t shut it off entirely.

4. Using Space Heaters To “Save” on Heating

Space heaters feel cheaper because you’re warming one room—but they’re one of the most expensive ways to heat.

Why: They use a lot of electricity.

Running multiple heaters can cost more than central heat. They’re often left on longer than intended.

Reality: Space heaters are for short, targeted use—not as a main strategy.

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: Use LEDs in your highest-use fixtures as 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.

What 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.