Are These Viral Home Tips Wasting Your Money?

Not every tip online saves money. Here’s what homeowners should know. 

How many changes around your house have you made in the name of saving energy or cutting down on waste? Scroll through TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Facebook, and you’ll find an endless stream of “lifehacks” promising to shrink your bills, streamline your routine, and make your home run like a well-oiled machine. Some of them genuinely help. Others… not so much. And a surprising number land somewhere in that murky middle ground where they sound smart but don’t quite deliver.

With Earth Day around the corner, many homeowners are looking for simple ways to reduce waste and lower energy use at home. It’s a great goal, but not every tip circulating online actually delivers on that promise. 

From baking eggshells in the oven to reviving the backyard clothesline, homeowners are experimenting with all kinds of ideas to keep more money in their pockets and reduce waste. It’s an understandable goal. But here’s the catch: not every hack works the way it claims to. In fact, some can quietly cost you more time, more energy, and more wear on your appliances.

That gap between expectation and reality is bigger than most people realize. In a survey of 2,000 adults, over half said they’d tried a social media hack, but 21 percent found those tricks didn’t live up to the promise. Even more telling, nearly 80 percent admitted viral hacks aren’t always as effective as they first appear. The most commonly tested tips? Cooking shortcuts, DIY fixes, kitchen cleaning tricks, and ways to save money around the house. In other words, the exact areas where a little misinformation can go a long way.

The challenge is that not all “energy-saving” habits actually reduce your environmental impact. Some increase water usage, some strain your appliances, and others simply don’t work at all. Over time, that can lead to more waste, not less.  Let’s take a closer look at a few popular home “hacks” that might be doing more harm than good.

Running a spin-only cycle before using the dryer
At first glance, this one seems clever. Spin your clothes again to remove extra moisture, then shorten dryer time. In reality, most modern washers are already optimized to extract as much water as possible during their final spin. Running an extra cycle adds time, uses more electricity, and increases wear on your washer without delivering much of a payoff. Instead of saving energy, you may just be stretching out your laundry routine for marginal gains.

Cooking in your dishwasher
Yes, this is a real trend. And while it might earn points for creativity, it raises more than a few eyebrows when it comes to food safety. Dishwashers aren’t designed for consistent, food-safe cooking temperatures, and the detergent environment alone makes this a questionable choice. Even if it “works,” it’s not exactly a reliable or efficient way to prepare a meal. Some hacks are better left as internet curiosities than real-life habits.

Courtesy of Devlishly Good

Running your washer or dishwasher at maximum capacity
This one feels logical: fewer loads should mean less water and energy, right? Not quite. Both washers and dishwashers rely on space to circulate water and detergent effectively. When they’re packed too tightly, items don’t get properly cleaned, which often leads to re-running the cycle. That second run cancels out any savings and adds extra strain to your appliance. A full load is good. An overstuffed one is a different story entirely.

When appliances aren’t used correctly, they often need to work harder or run multiple cycles, which quietly increases both energy use and household waste. 

Courtesy of Cottonbro

Handwashing dishes to save water (and pre-rinsing for the dishwasher)
This myth has been around for years, but modern appliances have changed the game. Today’s dishwashers are designed to be highly water-efficient, often using less water than handwashing a full sink of dishes. And pre-rinsing? In most cases, it’s unnecessary. Dishwashers are built to handle food residue, and pre-rinsing just sends perfectly usable water down the drain. Ironically, trying to “help” your dishwasher can make the process less efficient overall.

Using appliances less to make them last longer
It sounds like common sense: less use equals less wear and tear. But appliances aren’t museum pieces, they’re built to be used. In fact, regular use helps keep internal components functioning properly. Take your dishwasher, for example. Its seals are designed to stay flexible in a moist environment. When it sits unused for long periods, those seals can dry out, crack, and eventually fail. Instead of extending the life of your appliance, avoiding it can lead to repairs sooner than expected.

Energy-saving boxes
If a small plug-in device promises to cut your energy bill by 20 to 35 percent, it’s worth a second look, and not in a good way. These so-called “energy-saving boxes” claim to stabilize voltage and optimize appliance performance, but there’s no credible evidence they actually reduce energy usage. What’s more concerning is the safety risk. Investigations have found that many of these devices fail basic electrical safety standards, making them potential fire and shock hazards. In short, they don’t just fail to save energy, they can actively put your home at risk.

Courtesy of bulat843

Trying to run a more efficient home is a smart goal. But the path to getting there isn’t paved with viral shortcuts. It’s built on using your appliances the way they were designed, maintaining them properly, and knowing which “hacks” to ignore.

While not every tip online holds up, one thing is consistent: when your appliances are working efficiently and used the way they’re designed to, they use less energy and last longer.

This Earth Day, it’s worth remembering that every repair helps extend the life of your appliances and keeps unnecessary waste out of landfills. Small decisions at home can add up to a meaningful impact over time.

If your appliances are acting up, running longer than usual, or not performing the way they should, it may be time to take a closer look. Reach out today, and a trained technician can help get everything back on track—so your home runs efficiently, and a little lighter on the planet.

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10 Energy Myths Costing You More Than You Think

Don’t let outdated advice keep your electric bill high—here’s what actually works.

Sometimes we all need to be more efficient. Sometimes, like when we look at our electric bill during the peak of summer. So you go online and look for 'tricks to reduce my electricity bill.' We all do it. 

Unfortunately, with how connected the internet is, it's much easier to spread 'tips and tricks' that don't actually do anything to help you. So this week we're looking at what you can actually rely on to cut down on your energy bill. We're debunking some myths that have been around for years, and others that have only come about thanks to the internet and social sites. 

Turning Devices Off Stops All Energy Use

Courtesy of Andrea Piacquadio

This one used to be true. But if you look at your various devices, many of them have lights, clocks and wifi. Those are typically on, even if the device is off. This is called 'vampire' power, or 'phantom' power. If you want to turn them off completely, we suggest using power strips or unplugging things entirely. 

Leds Aren’t As Bright Or Pleasant As Incandescents

While we can't say anything about how pleasant you might find something, modern LEDs are very adjustable. They can be tuned for both brightness and color temperature, based on what you like. Bonus: they use up to 90% less energy and last longer than an incandescent bulb. 

Dimming Incandescent Lights Significantly Cuts Costs

This one is a little tricky. Yes, dimming your incandescent lights DOES cut costs. The problem is that it's not proportional. If you want to be more effective AND have more control over it, switch over to LEDs or CFLs. 

Solar Panels Don’t Work In Cloudy Or Cold Climates

Courtesy of Michael_Pointner

This is another one that seems like it might be the case, but fortunately, it's not. In fact, solar panels just rely on the fact that the sun is up, not necessarily direct sunlight. They are in fact effective year-round in most locations. 

Cranking The Thermostat Heats Or Cools A Home Faster

We who live in Texas, wish this was true. Systems will heat and cool at a constant speed, because the size of your house hasn't changed at all. A higher setting is only going to make your HVAC run longer and use more energy.

Closing Vents In Unused Rooms Saves Energy

While this one seems like it makes sense, have you ever tried it? What ends up happening is the pressure on the system is increased instead, because the systems isn't balanced any longer. When each system is designed it's meant to work as a whole. If you're looking for efficiency, you're better off leaving all vents open, and looking into a system meant for zoning. 

All New Appliances Are Energy Efficient

Efficiency and tests for efficiency can vary wildly from one company to another. As of right now, you're better off looking for something with the Energy Star label, which tests according to a set of standards and shows them on their website. 

Courtesy of Rewrite27

Handwashing Dishes Saves Energy Over Using A Dishwasher

How many times did we all hear this one growing up? And for many years it was true. However, modern dishwashers, especially those with the Energy Star tag, use far less water for an entire load of dishes. 

The Shape Of A Freezer Doesn’t Matter

Unsurprisingly, this one is untrue. Think about a chest freezer versus a French door refrigerator. The opening for a chest freezer is much smaller than that of a French door refrigerator. So, when you open the freezer, there's less cold air that's able to escape at once. If less air escapes, less has to be replaced and energy is saved. 

Efficiency Savings Are Too Small To Matter

That depends entirely on you. The question isn't "will I save anything" it's "how much do you consider worth it?" An extra $200 a year? That's only saving  $16 a month. By making changes around your home,  you can and will see changes, as cumulative savings are substantial. 

Energy myths might seem like harmless household wisdom, but over time, they can quietly chip away at your budget and even shorten the lifespan of your appliances. Whether it's believing that handwashing dishes saves more water, assuming that all new appliances are energy efficient, or thinking the shape of your freezer doesn't matter, these little misunderstandings can lead to higher utility bills and more wear and tear on your machines. The good news? Once you separate fact from fiction, it's surprisingly easy to make smarter choices that help your home run more efficiently—and save you money month after month.

If you're in the Frisco, Dallas, or Allen area and want to be sure your appliances are doing their job without wasting energy (or costing you extra), Appliance Rescue Service is here to help. From routine maintenance to honest, expert repairs, our technicians can make sure your dishwasher, fridge, washer, dryer, and more are running as efficiently as possible. We’ve seen the impact small changes can make—and we’re always ready to give straightforward advice that helps you get the most out of your appliances. So if you're ready to cut through the noise and start seeing real savings, give us a call. Let’s make your home’s energy use a little smarter, one appliance at a time.

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Call: (214) 599-0055

A Trusted Label in Jeopardy: The Fight to Save Energy Star

This simple, voluntary label has helped millions—so why is it on the chopping block?

If you’ve ever shopped for a new fridge, dishwasher, or even a box of lightbulbs, you’ve probably seen that familiar little blue label: Energy Star. Quietly tucked into the corners of packaging and stats pages, it's a beacon. It has been helping people make smarter energy choices since the early ’90s. No pressure, no mandates—just a gentle nudge toward products that use less power and save you money.

Now, after over 30 years of proven impact, that helpful label is in danger of disappearing.

The Energy Star program is facing a growing push for elimination. It is part of a broader shift in federal climate and energy policy under the current Administration. While  hasn’t been officially ended—yet— the warning signs are blinking. If it goes, the effects will ripple through households, businesses, and even local building codes.

So how did we get here? What did Energy Star actually do? And what happens if it’s gone?

Let’s break it down.

Why Was the Energy Star Program Started?

The Energy Star program launched in 1992, born out of a simple but powerful idea: what if the federal government made it easier for people to choose appliances and electronics that used less energy?

It was started under President George H. W. Bush as a collaborative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and later, the Department of Energy. At its core, the program was designed to test, certify, and label products that met high standards for energy efficiency. Products that earned the Energy Star label had to pass third-party certification and ongoing post-market testing to make sure they truly delivered on their promises.

But Energy Star didn’t stop at appliances. Over the years, the label expanded to cover homes, commercial buildings, and industrial plants. The program even helped shape local building codes and tax incentives—making energy efficiency not just an individual choice, but a widespread cultural standard.

And perhaps most importantly: participation in the program was always voluntary. Manufacturers could opt in. Consumers could decide whether or not to buy Energy Star–certified products. The only requirement? Perform well enough to earn the label.

The Energy Star program has long been one of the federal government’s most popular and effective voluntary initiatives. 

What Did the Energy Star Program Achieve?

The results speak for themselves. According to the EPA’s 2024 report, Energy Star has helped Americans save more than five trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity since it began. That’s the equivalent of preventing four billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions—an environmental impact hard to ignore.

But the program’s benefits weren’t just green; they were financial, too. A typical household saves about $450 a year on energy costs simply by choosing Energy Star–labeled appliances. Every year, more than $100 billion worth of certified products are sold. And for every dollar the EPA spent on the program, it spurred $230 in private investment in energy-saving infrastructure and services.

With over 89% of American households recognizing the label, Energy Star became one of the most trusted symbols on store shelves. It helped level the playing field for consumers trying to make better choices—and gave manufacturers a reason to push for more efficient design.

In the words of the EPA, it’s “one of the most successful voluntary U.S. government programs in history.”

Has the Energy Star Program Actually Been Ended?

Not yet—but it’s under real threat.

In April 2024, media reports began circulating that the EPA, now under the second Trump administration, planned to dismantle the Energy Star program. This sparked swift backlash. Over 1,000 companies and organizations signed a letter urging the agency to keep the program, citing its effectiveness, affordability, and popularity.

Lawmakers from both parties have also weighed in. A group of 22 senators, including Bernie Sanders, Amy Klobuchar, and John Fetterman, sent a May 20 letter stating that the program is protected under the Energy Policy Act of 2005—meaning it cannot be legally shut down without Congressional approval.

So, no—the program hasn’t officially been ended. But behind the scenes, the groundwork for its elimination is being laid.

Why Is the Energy Star Program Under Threat?

According to statements from inside the EPA, programs like Energy Star are being “de-prioritized and eliminated” as part of a broader rollback of federal climate protections. That includes executive orders discouraging wind energy expansion, lawsuits aimed at state-level climate initiatives, and a general focus on fossil fuel development over emissions reductions.

In this political climate, even programs that align with cost-saving goals and industry support are on the chopping block.

Critics of the move—ranging from bipartisan lawmakers to energy nonprofits—point out that scrapping Energy Star makes little fiscal sense. The program costs only $32 million a year to run but saves more than $40 billion annually in consumer energy bills.

If the concern is government overreach, it’s worth remembering: Energy Star is voluntary. No one is forced to participate. It simply makes energy-efficient choices easier and more visible.

So why is it being targeted? The answer may be less about the program itself and more about an overarching strategy to dismantle anything linked to climate policy—regardless of its popularity or effectiveness.

What Are We Going to Do Now?

If Energy Star disappears, there will be ripple effects.

Consumers will lose a reliable, trusted label that helps them make informed purchases. Manufacturers will face a confusing patchwork of state-level standards. And utilities, cities, and green building initiatives will lose a central benchmark they’ve built policy around.

There are other certifications—LEED for buildings, or product specs from the Consortium for Energy Efficiency—but none are as widespread or federally backed. Most importantly, none are as easy for everyday people to recognize and trust.

Energy experts say it’s likely some form of replacement will emerge—but it may take time. And it probably won’t have the same national reach or impact.

If you care about saving money, reducing waste, or simply being able to find reliable information about what your appliances are doing behind the scenes, this is a moment to pay attention.

Whether or not you’ve ever paused to notice that little blue label on your washing machine or lightbulbs, chances are it’s already saved you money. Energy Star has quietly made American homes more efficient for decades—without fanfare, mandates, or complicated rules.

Losing it would mean more than just one less logo. It would mark the loss of a smart, simple system that worked.

Let’s hope it’s not too late to keep the lights on.

If you'd like to arrange an appointment with us, you can reach out via our contact page or by giving us a call. Appliance Rescue Service is always here to keep your home appliances maintained and running smoothly.

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Love at First Service: Why Regular Maintenance is the Key to Happy Appliances

Protect your investment and avoid surprise repair bills. Here’s why routine maintenance is the smartest way to keep your appliances happy and healthy.

Your appliances are the heart of your home, working tirelessly day in and day out. From keeping your food fresh to making sure your clothes come out clean and dry, these machines are essential to your everyday routine. But just like any long-term relationship, they need care and attention to stay in top shape. Regular maintenance is the key to ensuring your appliances stay happy, healthy, and running smoothly for years to come.

The Benefits of Routine Maintenance

Neglecting maintenance can lead to breakdowns, costly repairs, and even the premature replacement of expensive appliances. Here are five reasons why giving your appliances a little TLC is the smartest investment you can make:

Extend Their Lifespan – Regular check ups can help keep small issues from turning into major failures. This allows your appliances to continue running efficiently for years.

Save Money on Repairs – catching problems while they're small means you avoid hefty repair bills, or having to do a full replacement.

Improve Energy Efficiency – appliances that are well cared for use less energy which keeps your utility bills low.

Ensure Safety – Appliances that are faulty pose serious risks. Dangers can range from electrical fires to gas leaks to flooding. Regular inspections help keep your home safe.

Prevent Surprise Breakdowns – None of us want to deal with a broken refrigerator in the middle of summer or a washer that won't drain in winter. Scheduled maintenance keep things running smoothly year-round.

What Regular Maintenance Looks Like

Many homeowners, prior to having something break for the first time, think that maintenance and repair are the same thing. In fact there's a key difference between the two. Maintenance is about preventing problems. Like regular talking to a partner to avoid a fight, you check in and clean to keep your appliances running smoothly. Repairs are after something has broken. Or to continue our previous analogy after you've already had a major fight. By staying on top of maintenance, you can avoid expensive repairs and keep your relationship running strong for years to come.

Every appliance in your home has specific maintenance needs. A professional service check can ensure that everything stays in top condition. Here are a few things that a maintenance visit might include: 

Refrigerator Love

Give your refrigerator some love by doing these three tasks. 

Clean the condenser coils to ensure efficient cooling. Getting clogged with dust is all too easy given most refrigerators are pressed close to a wall. 

Check and replace water and air filters as needed. (We suggest every 4-6 months for the water filter and at least once a year for the air filters.) 

Courtesy of RDNE

Inspect door seals to prevent cold air leaks. This one should be on your quarterly list, this way your food stays fresh for longer. 

Dishwasher Care

Given many of us use our dishwasher on a daily basis, they need regular love. These three tasks can be done once a month to keep it in top shape. 

Clean filters and spray arms for optimal performance. Using a diluted solution of vinegar with a soft toothbrush, helps to keep it clean.

Check seals and drainage to prevent leaks. 

Run a deep-cleaning cycle to eliminate buildup.

Laundry Room TLC

Your washer and dryer both need tlc on a regular basis, to keep them functioning and to keep your home safe. 

Inspect washing machine hoses for leaks or damage.

Clean dryer vents to prevent fire hazards.

Ensure proper drainage and spin cycle efficiency. 

Oven & Stove Check-Up

These three tasks are easy to do and give your range some much-needed love. 

Test temperature accuracy for even cooking. A digital thermometer is the best way to handle this one, but a technician can help if you don’t have one. 

Inspect your gas lines and igniters for safety. 

Ensure that the fans and door seals are working properly.

Courtesy of Liliana Drew

Make Maintenance a Habit

The best way to avoid major appliance troubles is to schedule routine maintenance. While every six months is great, a simple annual check-up can make all the difference in keeping your appliances running smoothly. Whether it’s your refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, or dryer, showing your appliances a little love today means fewer headaches tomorrow.

At Appliance Rescue Service, our skilled technicians are ready to help you protect your investment. Give us a call to schedule your maintenance check and keep your home running effortlessly. We’ll work with you to find a date and time that fit your schedule best. After all, a happy appliance means a happy home. 

Website

Call  (214) 599-0055

Additional Reading
Don't Let Your Dryer Become a Fire Hazard 

Stay Cozy This Winter: Key Chores for Your Home

Fact Check: Common Appliance Maintenance Beliefs Debunked

Avoid the Break-Up: How Overloading Appliances Can Lead to Disaster

 Think cramming in that extra load will save time? Think again!

We all want our household chores to be as quick and efficient as possible. Tossing in an extra sweater, cramming in a few more dishes, or stuffing the dryer to the brim might seem like a great time-saver. But is it?

Overloading your appliances doesn’t just mean a subpar clean or an extra drying cycle. It causes real damage—broken parts, clogged drains, and costly repairs that could have been avoided. Worse, it shortens the lifespan of your machines, meaning you’ll be shopping for a replacement much sooner than expected.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the risks of overloading your dishwasher, washer, and dryer, along with some telltale signs that your appliances are crying out for a break.

Dishwasher

Let's start off with the one we’re all probably guilty of. Overloading the dishwasher. 

It's the end of a long week, and all you want is to go to sleep, and you just need to fit a few more dishes in. You don't want to wash them by hand, and surely you can find a way to make them fit. That is the type of thinking that we are all guilty of at least every now and then. But as you can tell, since you're here, that leads to many problems. 

The biggest one for that late-night version of you? Tomorrow-you is going to have to wash all of those dishes again. When there's not enough space in the dishwasher water and soap cannot flow easily and they struggle to clean everything fully. This means that you're going to be pulling out plates with food still stuck on them or silverware that is still oily from the day before. 

Putting in cookware and facing it downwards rather than to the side will act like a shield. That blocks the spray arm, which not only causes your other dishes to stay dirty but can also end up breaking your spray arm. 

If you pack things too tightly, you can end up having broken dishes from things being pushed during the wash cycle. 

Courtesy of jhenning

You can also end up dealing with clogged drainage which will then lead eventually to water leaking across your kitchen. It all starts with the food and oily residue that we mentioned before. When you're overloading the dishwasher, there's too much for it to handle and so not everything gets washed out. From there the drain's clog and not only does that cause issues with bacteria breeding, but it can also lead to water leaking out of the dishwasher because there's nowhere else for it to go.

Washer

Still dealing with water oriented appliances, let's take a look at the washer in your laundry room. Overloading your washing machine can come in one of two forms, either you are putting items that are two bulky and take up too much space, or you're putting an items that are too heavy. 

Both of these, however, will result in many problems, the least of which is having to rerun the load. 

Overloading your washing machine puts strain on the motor and faster wear and tear from that strain means the motor will die that much more quickly.

Like we mentioned, you'll have to rewash the load because the water is unable to reach everything during the first load. So you can either run it twice or deal with the clothes not being as clean as they should be. 

 Having your clothes packed tightly together is also likely to damage your clothing. Buttons, zippers, and other closures can catch on hems, stray strings, or even delicate fabrics and cause rips. This means your carefully curated wardrobe dies far more quickly than you would want.

Courtesy of RDNE Stock Project

You can also lose pieces. Have you ever wondered what happens to your  socks? When you know you put two pairs in and you only get one of each back? One of the reasons that can happen is that smaller items are easier to get sucked down the drainage of your washer. Which leads to its own problems, like clogged pipes or leaks depending on the size of the item. 

Dryer 

Your dryer has the easiest signs to spot if you're overloading it. If you dryer is producing lots of lint, and we do mean lots. If you are needing to dry a load more than once in order to get it completely dry. Or if you pull out excessively wrinkled clothing straight from the dryer. These are all signs that your dryer is overloaded. 

Courtesy of Planet Care

These are problems in and of themselves, but larger ones are the damage to the dryer itself. The belt, pulley assembly, and bearings, these are critical components. If these break, your dryer is non-functional. a

Overloading your appliances might seem like a non-issue or even a way to save time and money. But as we pointed out in each section, continual overloading means that you save neither. Overloading stops things from either getting cleaned or dried appropriately, as neither water nor air can flow easily. So you end up having to run a load twice maybe even three times, depending on what you were doing. Then, you end up with an even higher electric bill. With enough time and repeated overloading, you also wear down your appliance. This means that you then need to call in a technician to diagnose and fix the problem. Which, although we are here to fix your appliances, is not something we want for you. We’re always here to help with repairs, but preventing damage in the first place saves you time, money, and the frustration of an appliance breakdown.

Appliance Rescue Service is here for you—whether your appliances are brand new or have been with you for years. Our goal? To get them back in top shape so they serve you well for years to come.  You can reach out to us to via our website or by giving us a call and we’ll work with you to help you find a date and time that works for you.

Website
Call: (214) 599-0055

Additional Reading
Signs Your Appliances Are Overheating, and What to Do About It

DIY Repairs vs. Your Appliance Warranty: What’s the Real Cost?

Prepare Your Home for Fall: Essential Maintenance Tips