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Kitchen Tips for an Energy-Wise Holiday
Energy bills can rise considerably when the holidays roll around, with the stove, oven and dishwasher running overtime. Here are a few tips to keep your energy costs in check.
As long as the oven is on, cook several items at the same time.
When cooking on top of your range, match the size of the pan to the heating element. A 6-inch pan on an
8-inch burner can waste more than 40 percent of the energy
Make sure your burners and reflectors are clean. This provides better heating while saving energy.
Small appliances can be great energy savers. On average, slow cookers will cook a meal for less than $1 worth of electricity. Toaster ovens are good for smaller portions, using a third the energy of a larger oven.
Refrigerators and freezers are among the largest energy consumers in the house, often accounting for as much as 15 percent of a home’s total energy use. Help them operate efficiently and economically by keeping the doors closed as much as possible.
A simple and cost-effective way to save money is to wash and dry the dishes by hand. Just don’t keep a steady stream of hot water flowing, or you’ll waste more energy than you save. Fill the wash and rinse basins instead of letting the water run, and you’ll use half as much water as a dishwasher.
If you opt to use the dishwasher, wash full loads only. If you rinse dishes before loading them, use cold water. And don’t forget to use the energy-saving cycles whenever possible. Dishwashers that offer air power or overnight dry settings can save up to 10 percent of your dishwashing energy costs.
Source: California Energy Commission
