Fact versus fiction regarding energy efficiency

Sometimes, it's hard to tell what's right and wrong when it comes to conserving energy.

Should we ditch the dishwasher and wash our dishes by hand? Is it better to turn your computer off when not in use or leave it on all day? These can be tricky questions. We've compiled a list of our favorites from an article here.

Here's a list clarifying what's true and false regarding energy conservation:

When your appliance are off, no energy is used

False. Instead, un-plug your appliances or use a power strip. When appliances are turned off, a phenomenon known as "phantom load" occurs and energy is still slowly drained.

Fill your refrigerator with food to combat energy waste

True. A full fridge is a happy fridge. The more space used inside the fridge, the less work required to keep the temperature constant.

Ditch the dishwasher and handwash your dishes

False. Get this, handwashing dishes uses more energy than loading and running your dishwasher. To save water when dishwashing, scrape the plates clean but don't bother pre-rinsing by hand.

Fill your tank only half-way with gas
True. The lighter your car, the better the fuel efficiency. If you have a lot of stuff in your car, ditch it. This will help with your gas mileage.

Buy a light colored car if you live somewhere warm

True. Darker vehicles suck in the heat, and lighter vehicles reflect. Robert Sinclair Jr. of AAA says, "It's one of those esoteric gas saving tips."