Top Myths About Electricity Consumption You Should Stop Believing
01st December 2025 | Written By: Vinod Pottayil | Read Time: 3min | Last Updated: 01st December 2025
We have often heard that appliances don’t consume power if we switch them off. The truth is that they continue to use vampire energy or standby power at a slow rate when they are turned off but still plugged in.
This blog will uncover more such myths and give you fact checks for you to stop believing in them.
-
Myth 1: Keep lights turned on instead of doing frequent on-off to save energy.
This myth comes from the belief that light bulbs consume ‘startup energy’ to draw current when you flip the switch on.
Fact:
In reality, bulbs consume minuscule or rather negligible energy for inrush current. It has practically zero effect on your electricity bills. However, it is advisable to avoid on-off at frequent intervals to increase the lifespan of the lights.
-
Myth 2: Opening the oven door to look at your food doesn’t waste energy.
We are all guilty of doing this. Despite adjusting the timer and temperature to the desired level, people open the oven door one or more times to test the food readiness. They assume that these few seconds wouldn’t add to their power bill.
Fact:
Every time you do this, the internal temperature of the oven crashes by a considerable degree. The oven has to work harder to resume its functioning and thereby, eats more power.
-
Myth 3: LED lights need more electricity.
It is believed that LED lights take surplus time to reach their optimal degree of brightness. Hence, this makes them use more power.
Fact:
LED lights are definitely better energy savers than traditional incandescent bulbs. When you turn LED lights on, they immediately transfer their energy into light. However, incandescent bulbs spend most of their energy heating the filament inside them rather than producing light instantaneously.
-
Myth 4: Smart Meters are power-intensive.
A common myth regarding smart meters is that they are energy vampires because they run at higher speed than conventional meters.
Fact:
On the contrary, a smart meter provides real-time, accurate readings. This is not possible in its traditional counterpart. A smart meter allows you to analyse your power consumption patterns and take preventive steps to bring them under control.
-
Myth 5: Using a ceiling fan with an air conditioner increases electricity expenses.
A general misconception is that running a ceiling fan and an air conditioner together puts a heavy burden on power consumption.
Fact:
If you set the air conditioner temperature around 20-27 degrees Celsius and also switch on the fan, both will work in tandem for better airflow. The air conditioner wouldn’t have to work as hard as it would on a lower temperature without a fan. This, in turn, increases the efficiency and effectiveness of power consumption.
-
Myth 6: Geysers should be left on for the entire day to lower the electricity consumption.
People think that geysers will waste electricity if it is switched on and off for every use because they will need to reheat water from scratch.
Fact:
Geysers need electricity to maintain the water temperature. Keeping them on even when you don’t need hot water can lead to heat loss. This heat loss is responsible for more power consumption.
The power usage of geysers also depends on a number of factors, such as the number of units in the home, the number of family members, frequency of usage, size of the unit, etc. Make sure to buy the right geyser for your household’s needs to save electricity.
Moreover, LED bulbs greater longevity and provide enhanced performance for less wattage. Hence, they reduce electricity bills.
Conclusion
While there is no sure-shot way to reduce electricity consumption, a little conscious effort can go a long way. Invest in high-quality appliances, wires and cables. Use electricity mindfully throughout the day. Switch to LED lights. Buy Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) star label gadgets. These small acts will create significant savings on your electricity bills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) :
-
Q1. Which is more energy-efficient – LED bulbs or incandescent bulbs?
LED bulbs generate low heat. They have a longer lifespan of 15-25 years. They offer the same brightness at lower wattage. Hence, they are more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs.
-
Q2. Is it advisable to keep geysers, water heaters or other appliances running when not in use?
If these appliances are plugged in even when not in use, they consume phantom energy at a gradual pace. The heat loss in geysers is also a culprit for higher bills. So, it is advisable to unplug the appliances when not in use.
-
Q3. Can smart meters reduce energy consumption?
Yes. The accuracy of traditional meters may not be entirely accurate. The smart meters, on the other hand, provide data analytics and real-time accuracy on which electric appliances are consuming more energy. A smart meter helps you take the necessary measures to curb electricity usage.
-
Q4. What is the right temperature setting for an air conditioner for energy optimisation?
You can keep the operational temperature around 20-27 degrees Celsius if you start the ceiling fan too. This adjustment will not only enhance the air flow in the room but also lower the utility costs.
-
Q5. What steps will enable cutting down on electricity expenditure?
Swap traditional bulbs with LED lights. Unplug your idle appliances and avoid keeping them on standby mode. Invest in smart gadgets. Purchase BEE star-rated fans, refrigerators, etc.
