Test your knowledge and perhaps bust some of the myths surrounding energy efficiency.
False – it is estimated that as much as 5% of all energy used is for equipment left on "standby". Turn off appliances at the wall socket when you are not using them.
True – insulation is simply a process for preventing heat, light or sound from traveling from one place to another.
True – when you are buying any new appliance, always check the star rating as this is the best guide to energy efficiency.
False – not only are plasma screens usually larger, but they can use up to three times the wattage of an LCD screen.
True – the more air space in a fridge, the more power it will use to keep that space cool. You need some air space so that the cool air can circulate, but fill large empty spaces with containers of water if your fridge is not full.
False – it is entirely the other way round! Compact fluorescents use a quarter or less of the electricity consumed by ordinary bulbs, and last eight times longer. Switch over and experience the difference.
True – microwave ovens not only have smaller wattage requirements, but the speed of cooking is so much faster that the savings are not micro at all!
False – screen-savers do not save energy, and a monitor left on when not in use can use more energy than the computer itself.
True – a desktop computer might use 300 watts, but a laptop uses about 60 watts.
True – so it makes a lot of sense to set up your house so that the heat you do generate is used most efficiently.
