Reducing your business’s energy bills doesn’t always mean installing new equipment. Often, the biggest savings come from day-to-day behaviour and proactive energy monitoring. The challenge is that many teams unknowingly follow energy-saving myths that undermine even the best intentions.
That matters more than ever. According to research by Finbri, 80% of businesses say energy bills are a concern, with many worried about how rising costs will affect their livelihood.
At a national level, the scale is significant. The Office for National Statistics reports that UK businesses spent around £60 billion on energy in 2022, with electricity spending rising by 36% and gas spending increasing by 50% compared to the previous year.
Against that backdrop, separating fact from fiction around energy use is a practical step any business can take. Below, we break down some of the most common energy myths we still see across UK workplaces, and the realities behind them.
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Myth: Leaving lights on is more efficient than turning them off.
Fact: Modern LED and fluorescent lights use very little energy when switched on. Turning lights off when rooms are empty is almost always cheaper than leaving them on and reduces unnecessary energy consumption.
Myth: Screensavers save energy.
Fact: Screensavers were designed to protect old monitors, not to reduce energy usage. The only effective way to cut power is to switch monitors off when not in use.
Myth: LEDs do not provide good quality light.
Fact: Early LEDs could feel harsh, but modern LED lighting offers warm tones, diffusers and excellent colour rendering, with far lower energy use than traditional bulbs.
Myth: Replacing lighting is too expensive.
Fact: Many halogen and compact fluorescent lamps now have direct LED replacements that fit existing fittings. Retrofit options often avoid the cost of full replacement.
Myth: Itis cheaper to leave heating on all day at a low temperature.
Fact: Heating buildings only when needed is more efficient. Timers and scheduling reduce energy use and limit unnecessary strain on heating systems.
Myth: Turning the thermostat up heats a room faster.
Fact: Thermostats control the target temperature, not the speed of heating. Higher settings simply increase energy consumption.
Myth: Most heat is lost through windows.
Fact: In many buildings, walls and roofs account for more heat loss than windows. Insulation improvements often deliver better results than glazing upgrades alone.
Myth: Phone and laptop chargers do not use power when not connected to a device.
Fact: Many chargers draw electricity when plugged in. If a charger feels warm, it's consuming power. Unplugging or using power strips helps reduce wasted energy.
Myth: Solar panels only work in summer or direct sunlight.
Fact: Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not heat. Even in cloudy conditions, systems continue to produce energy. In the UK, solar can contribute meaningfully to reducing energy bills throughout the year.
Myth: Paper towels are cheaper than electric hand dryers.
Fact: While hand dryers use electricity, the ongoing cost of buying, storing and disposing of paper towels is typically far higher in busy workplaces.
Myth: Voltage optimisation does not save energy.
Fact: When applied correctly, voltage optimisation can reduce energy consumption by matching supply levels to equipment needs. Organisations such as Glasgow City Council have reported measurable savings.
The key to reducing energy bills is not just technology, but behaviour. Challenging energy myths and replacing them with clear, practical guidance is often the fastest way to reduce energy consumption.
Simple actions such as switching off lights and monitors, using heating controls properly and avoiding standby power can deliver meaningful savings.
When teams understand the realities behind energy use, efficiency becomes part of everyday working culture rather than a one-off initiative.
Tap here to find out more about making smarter, greener choices with your business energy.
