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One of the most common objections to an environmentally sustainable lifestyle is that it is too expensive. In reality, reducing environmental impact and saving often goes hand in hand. However, people often engage in behavior that they believe they are convenient but which unfortunately end up being counterproductive. Even when it comes to savings tips, there are many false myths that die hard. Let’s discover some of them.
Fake Savings Tips: Hand Wash Dishes
It is an old urban legend, according to which washing dishes by hand saves money compared to using a dishwasher. Actually, that‘s not true, and the numbers prove it. In fact, washing dishes by hand means running water for about a quarter of an hour. This consumes more than 26 gallons, while a fully loaded dishwasher requires just 4 gallons. Actually, the latest generation of household appliances consume up to half that amount.
Many people object: the washing machine also needs energy. True, but more to bring the water up to temperature, which is also necessary to wash dishes by hand. And here too, the dishwasher uses a quarter of the energy of the old method. If that weren’t enough, washing dishes by hand consumes even more detergent!
Heating: Is It Better to Leave It on or Turn It off When Not Needed?
Many people, even though they spend most of the day outside the house, leave the heating on all the time because they say it costs more than turning it off and on. This is another false myth, because turning the radiators on only a few hours consumes less than leaving them on 24 hours a day.
If you don’t want to go back in the house and find it freezing, you just need to use a thermostat that allows you to set the switch on at a set time.
Keeping Car Windows Open Instead of Using Air Conditioning
It is summer, the car heats up easily, especially in the sun, and everyone opens the window. Many people think it is less expensive than air conditioning because it uses less fuel.
Actually, it can only make sense in the city, at moderate speed. In fact, if you go over 45 mph, open windows make the vehicle less aerodynamic and consume even more fuel. Not to mention the risks – such as the pollution you breathe and possible accidents.
False Savings Tips about Food Offers
Take 3 and pay 2, savings pack, half price. These and many others are the signs that attract our attention. We often think we are taking advantage of an unrepeatable opportunity and end up buying excess food we don’t really need.
At this point, it is better to buy less but better quality food. Pay attention to promotional offers, because they are the ones that lead to buy (and spend) more than we should.