Energy Saving Myths – True or False? 

Rising energy costs in the UK have left households more determined than ever to cut bills. Yet not all of the “tricks” we’ve been told over the years actually work. Some are half-truths, some outdated, and others are outright myths. Below, we tackle some of the most common energy-saving claims and separate fact from fiction, with practical steps you can really take to keep costs down. 

“Most heat energy is lost through windows” – False 

It’s a common belief, but not the biggest culprit. Around 35–45% of household heat is lost through walls, and a further 20% through the roof. By contrast, only about 10% escapes through windows. That means wall and roof insulation should be your top priority. 

That said, windows still matter. Fitting thicker curtains, keeping them drawn in the evening, and using draught-proofing strips around frames can help minimise loss. 

“It’s better to keep your heating on low all day” – Mostly false 

The Energy Saving Trust is clear: leaving the heating on constantly wastes energy. It’s cheaper to run it only when needed. However, some specialists argue that turning heating on and off repeatedly can cause condensation in walls, making them lose heat faster. 

The practical approach? Use your heating in timed blocks, such as morning and evening, rather than 24/7. Smart thermostats can also learn your patterns and adjust efficiently. 

“TVs in standby mode waste the most energy” – Misleading 

Devices in standby mode do waste p ower, but it’s not just TVs. Collectively, “vampire energy” costs UK households around £470 million per year. Games consoles are particularly bad offenders, using up to 60 times more energy than a TV in standby. 

The fix is simple: switch devices off at the wall, and unplug chargers when not in use. Over a year, it adds up to a noticeable saving. 

“Black radiators heat a room faster” – False 

Painting a radiator black won’t boost efficiency. Radiators heat a room primarily through convection, not radiation, so the colour makes no measurable difference. 

A better trick is to use reflective panels behind radiators fixed to external walls. These push heat back into the room, rather than letting it seep out through brickwork. 

“Turning up the thermostat heats the house faster” – False 

This is a persistent myth. Your boiler and radiators work at the same rate regardless of thermostat setting. Cranking it up only keeps the system running longer until it hits a higher temperature—costing you more. 

Setting your thermostat lower is one of the easiest money-savers. In fact, reducing the temperature by just 1°C can save around £55 a year for an average household. 

“Floors don’t need insulation because heat rises” – False 

Heat rises, but it also moves into colder areas, including down through floors. Around 10% of home heat can be lost this way. Insulating suspended timber floors, sealing gaps, or adding rugs can cut losses and prevent draughts. 

Ignoring floors is like leaving a w indow open—small leaks add up. 

“Electricity is always cheaper at night” – Partly true 

This only applies if you’re on an Economy 7 or Economy 10 tariff, which provides cheaper overnight rates in exchange for higher daytime prices. If you’re on such a tariff, running appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, or EV chargers overnight makes sense. 

But for most standard tariffs, electricity costs the same whatever the time of day—so using appliances at night won’t save you money. 

Smarter energy savings 

It’s easy to be misled by myths, but the best way to cut costs is with proven strategies: 

• Invest in insulation for walls, roofs and floors. 

• Use smart thermostats and heating timers. 

• Switch devices off at the wall. 

• Consider upgrading older appliances to more efficient models. 

And for those looking to make energy e fficiency part of their career path, electrical training offers a route into a sector that is central to the UK’s net zero ambitions. Whether through Level 2 Electrical Installation courses or learning how to become an electrician in the UK, electricians play a vital role in helping households adopt greener, smarter technologies. 

Courses like Dealing with Hazards 12 and Environmental 1 also help learners understand both safety and sustainability, making them better prepared for the demands of modern electrical work. 

To explore training options or start your own journey into this growing industry, visit Elec Training. 

Do most homes lose their heat through windows? 

No, the idea that most heat is lost through windows is a myth—windows account for about 25-35% of heat loss in an average UK home, but walls (up to 35%), roofs (25%), and floors (10-15%) contribute significantly more overall. Proper insulation and draught-proofing across all areas are essential for energy efficiency, as heat loss depends on the home’s construction and age. Elec Training recommends whole-home assessments to identify true loss points. 

Is it cheaper to keep heating on low all day instead of using it in short bursts? 

No, this is a myth—it’s more efficient and cheaper to heat your home only when needed in short bursts, as constant low heat leads to greater overall energy loss through walls and windows, costing more fuel. The Energy Saving Trust confirms that timed heating saves money, with potential annual reductions of £100+ in a typical UK home. Elec Training advises smart thermostats for optimal burst control. 

Do TVs in standby mode waste the most household energy? 

No, TVs on standby do not waste the most energy—while they contribute (about 1.3W or £4-5/year per TV), larger appliances like fridges, boilers, or washing machines use far more overall, with standby across all devices costing the average UK household £65-147 annually. Satellite boxes and gaming consoles are bigger standby culprits than TVs alone. Elec Training suggests unplugging or using smart plugs to eliminate this “vampire” drain. 

Does painting radiators black make them heat a room faster? 

No, this is a myth—painting radiators black has little to no effect on heating speed or efficiency, as radiators primarily heat via convection (air movement) rather than radiation, and color changes only marginally impact infrared emission (less than 5% difference). Experts recommend focusing on radiator maintenance instead. Elec Training debunks this in heating system modules, advising against unnecessary alterations. 

Will turning up the thermostat heat the house more quickly? 

No, this is a myth—turning up the thermostat doesn’t heat the house faster; it simply tells the system to run until a higher temperature is reached, often leading to overshoot and wasted energy. Heating systems operate at a fixed rate regardless of setting. Elec Training recommends programmable thermostats for efficient control. 

Is floor insulation unnecessary because heat rises? 

No, this is a myth—while heat rises, uninsulated floors account for 10-15% of home heat loss through conduction and draughts, making insulation essential for energy savings (£200-£300/year) and comfort. Elec Training includes floor insulation in its energy efficiency courses, noting its impact on EPC ratings. 

Is electricity always cheaper at night? 

No, electricity is not always cheaper at night—it depends on your tariff; time-of-use plans like Economy 7 offer lower rates (e.g., 11p/kWh vs. 28p daytime) between midnight and 7-8am, but standard tariffs have flat rates around 27p/kWh. In 2025, smart tariffs can vary, so check with your supplier. Elec Training advises switching to off-peak tariffs for EV charging or laundry. 

What is “vampire energy” and how much does it cost UK households? 

“Vampire energy” (or standby power) refers to electricity consumed by devices when turned off but plugged in, like TVs (1-3W) or chargers, wasting energy through idle draw. It costs the average UK household £65-£147 annually in 2025, based on 23% of electricity use from standby. Elec Training suggests unplugging to save. 

How much can lowering the thermostat by 1°C save per year? 

Lowering the thermostat by 1°C can save £90-£130 per year in an average UK home, depending on size and fuel type—e.g., £90 in Great Britain, £100 in Northern Ireland at 2025 rates. Savings are around 10% of heating costs from 21°C to 20°C. Elec Training recommends 18-21°C for comfort and efficiency. 

What are the most effective proven ways to reduce energy bills? 

The most effective ways include draught-proofing windows/doors (£45-£100 savings/year), switching off standby devices (£65-£147), using energy-efficient appliances (A-rated save £100+), lowering thermostat 1°C (£90-£130), insulating lofts/walls (£200-£500), and installing smart controls (£110). Shorter showers and LED bulbs add £50-£100. Elec Training promotes professional installs for insulation and smart systems.