Myths and truths about energy efficiency: How to prepare for an efficient summer season?

Rising temperatures, bursting buds and singing birds mean only one thing – spring is here! It’s the time of year when, as nature wakes up, we want to tidy up our surroundings. This is the right time to take care of your electrical appliances too! Given the variety of energy-saving tips, there are various myths that create misconceptions about the maintenance of electrical appliances and the efficient use of energy. The Experts of the Elektrum Energy Efficiency Centre share the most common ones and reveal the truth behind them, as well as recommendations that will really help you reduce your energy consumption!

1. Myth: Setting the air conditioner to a lower temperature will help cool your home faster

There is a belief that setting the air conditioner to the lowest possible temperature will cool the room faster, but the thermostat settings show the minimum temperature, not the rate at which the room cools. Setting the temperature too low will not cool the room faster, it will only result in wasted energy and discomfort. To protect your health and electricity consumption, we recommend that you set the operating mode of your air conditioner so that the temperature inside and outside the room does not differ by more than 5 °C.

2. Myth: Unplugging unused electrical appliances does not significantly affect electricity consumption

Any device left in standby mode consumes a small amount of electricity. Although their electricity consumption is relatively small, these appliances can account for up to 10% of a home’s total electricity consumption. So when you’re out and about, we recommend that you switch off and unplug your computer, printer, TV and router completely if no other devices in your home are connected to the Wi-Fi network, and make sure that the lights or digital displays of these appliances are not lit.

3. Myth: All new electrical appliances are energy-efficient

New doesn’t always mean energy-efficient! Before buying a new electrical appliance, you should first take a look at its energy label – a colourful sticker that will help you make a more environmentally and budget-friendly choice. This will help you compare the electricity and water consumption, noise level, capacity and other parameters of different appliances. The higher the energy efficiency class, the more efficient the appliance.

For more information on how to choose appliances for your home, take a look at here.

4. Myth: Leaving your computer in sleep mode when not in use is a way to save energy

In sleep or standby mode, most of the computer’s subsystems are switched off, but a small amount of power is needed to maintain memory and sometimes more power is needed to perform scheduled tasks. Therefore, if you plan to leave your computer unused for a longer period of time, for example, two hours, we recommend shutting it down completely rather than putting it in sleep mode, as it still consumes electricity this way.

5. Myth: Lawnmowing robots are only suitable for small areas

Robotic lawnmowers are thought to only be suitable for small and flat yards. As technology advances, manufacturers are now offering lawn robots equipped with powerful batteries and suitable for areas of up to 3 hectares.

6. Myth: Solar-powered outdoor lighting is maintenance-free

Although solar-powered lighting requires minimal maintenance, it is also advisable to periodically clean it of dust and debris and check its operation.

7. Myth: The fuller the fridge, the better

In fact, if the fridge is overloaded, it has to work harder to maintain the required temperature and the circulation of cold air needed to store the products is impeded.

But an empty fridge is not efficient either. If the fridge is sufficiently full, the products within it absorb the cold air, helping to cool the products next to them. To avoid unnecessary electricity consumption, it is recommended to fill the fridge to at least 60%, but no more than 90% of its capacity.

The experts of the Elektrum Energy Efficiency Centre advise you not to rely on myths and to trust proven energy efficiency facts instead. To have a worry-free summer, take care of your electrical appliances with simple and eco-friendly maintenance that will improve their performance and prolong their life!

Lawnmower

• Check your lawnmower blades before the mowing season starts. Mowing with dull blades can damage the grass leaves. In addition, the device works at a higher power level when working with dull blades. For these reasons, the lawnmower blades need to be sharpened regularly.
• When using a battery-powered lawnmower, it must be charged correctly. To avoid damaging the battery, the charge level should not drop below 20% and it should only be disconnected when fully charged.

Outdoor lighting

• Check outdoor lighting regularly for damaged wires and sockets. If significant damage is found, it must not be used even if the device is still working.
• To help direct the light in the desired direction, regularly clean the bulb with a damp cloth, as well as other parts of the appliance (if permitted in the user manual).

Fridge and freezer

• It is advisable to regularly clean the back of the fridge to ensure that it is dust-free and working efficiently. A vacuum cleaner or special brushes are recommended for this purpose.
• It is important to check that the fridge door closes tightly. To prevent the fridge door from opening halfway, the fridge must be positioned according to the user manual. If the door is not sealing properly, warm air is drawn into the refrigerator and freezer compartments and the power consumption used to cool the air increases. How to check? The door closes tightly enough if a piece of paper is hard to pull out of the fridge door. If a piece of paper slips out of the door, it means that the door is not sealed and cold air is flowing out and warm air is flowing in, increasing the power consumption required for cooling. In this case, the door seals need to be replaced.
• Spring is the time to turn your attention to your freezer. Every centimetre of ice in the freezer increases electricity consumption by 10%, so the freezer should be completely defrosted and vented at least once a year. This is especially important for older-generation freezers that do not have an automatic defrost function.

Air conditioner

• Some air conditioners not only cool rooms but also clean the air with filters. To ensure the efficient and health-friendly operation of your air conditioner, it is recommended to have it serviced at least once a year, by following the information in the user manual or calling a professional!
• Before servicing the appliance, switch it off and disconnect it from the power supply.
• The surface can be cleaned with a damp, soft cloth without using chemical solvents, as these can damage the surface of the air conditioner and even the whole unit.
• It is recommended to clean the filter grille every two weeks – if it becomes blocked, the performance of the air conditioner will deteriorate.

Find out other useful tips on how to take care of our trusty helpers – electrical appliances – and get inspired for the big spring clean here.