We’re all used to turning lights on and off, hearing the hum of a refrigerator, and seeing an indicator light pop on when we turn on the rice cooker.
We’re so used to electricity working that many of us aren’t sure how it works or have full-on misconceptions about how it operates. Which wouldn’t matter except that it’s costing us money and maybe even making us less safe.
So let’s chat about some common household electricity myths. Learning what’s actually going on in the invisible world of kilowatts and joules can help you figure out how to reduce the use of electricity at home and keep you and yours safer.
Myth: It saves money to keep lights on instead of turning them off and then back on all the time.
True? Not at all. Turning lights off when you’re not using them is probably the most straightforward thing you can do to reduce electricity waste. A myth has been floating around for a long time that turning on a light (or another device) uses a surge of electricity, so it’s better to just keep the lights on. It’s never been true.
Myth: Once you turn a device off, it stops using electricity.
True? No. Almost all devices that are plugged in are still using some electricity. The only exceptions are certain types of devices that have a standby mode.
How to save energy and money: If you really want to save electricity, unplug a device when you’re not using it instead of just turning it off.
Myth: To test your smoke alarm, just press the button once a month and you’re good.
True? Partially. Hitting the “test” button will test the alarm—you’ll hear some very loud beeping if it’s still good. But that button won’t test your smoke alarm’s sensor. To do that, you need a device that’s designed just to test them or a professional who already has one.
How to stay safer: Test your alarms and sensors every month to make sure they’re still working so they can keep you safe, in case of a fire.
Myth: Wood does not conduct electricity.
True? No. It’s true that wood is not a great conductor of electricity but it’s not a non-conductor, either. Wet wood, especially, can conduct some electricity.
How to stay safer: If you’re around a live wire, don’t touch it with anything, even something made of wood. (And if you’re outside near a downed power line, don’t touch any wood nearby; it could be charged.) It’s better to make sure the power is turned off before you attempt to touch it. If you’re in doubt, call a qualified electrician for help.
Sources:
11 Deadly Myths About Electricity That Need to Be Cleared Up, Brittany Gibson, Reader’s Digest
Eight Home Maintenance Myths You Should Stop Believing, Jeff Somers, Lifehacker
Saving Electricity: Busting the Most Common Energy Myths, Electric Choice