Online energy saving advice could be doing more harm than good, expert warns
Switching your fridge or boiler off overnight may pose a serious danger to the home
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Online energy saving tips and tricks aimed at helping struggling families cut back on their household bills could be doing more harm than good, an expert has warned.
Money-saving hacks have swept the internet of late as Britons attempt to navigate the cost of living crisis, fuelled by the soaring rate of inflation which has surged to a new 40-year high.
But now key consumer advisors are urging people to think twice before setting in motion any energy-conserving hacks they discover online as they claim some could pose a serious danger to the home.
Philippe Commaret, who heads up customer advice at EDF, has compiled a number of “tips” that could put your health at risk.
Commaret raised switching your fridge off overnight as an example. Despite 21 per cent of homeowners and renters believing that this will reduce their energy bills, she warned that it could result in food turning bad.
A further 26 per cent are under the impression turning off your boiler at night will save money when actually, the opposite could be true.
Depending on how well-insulated your home is, switching a boiler off overnight could see your property’s warmth drop drastically, and cause more serious issues – serious damp being one of them.
Other commonly searched tricks, such as “black radiator paint” – a tactic 12 per cent believe will cut down energy costs – could also be adding to your energy bills as certain types of paint can make the radiator less efficient.
The advice comes after a poll of 2,000 homeowners and renters by energy provider EDF found 34 per cent of people in the country have searched advice on how to cut down on their energy bills.
Philippe Commaret, from EDF, said: “Despite these searches being amongst some of the most popular online, when it comes to consumers looking for advice on how to reduce their energy bills, not all make a positive difference and some can actually be dangerous.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments