| Energy bills go up every month. We used to | | | | good condition. If the doors are not sealed |
| attribute it to the increasing cost of | | | | properly, the energy consumption skyrockets. |
| electricity and heating, but even if we just | | | | You may also play a bit with the freezer's |
| want to make up for them, we have to save | | | | settings. In most cases people set too low |
| energy whenever we can. Heat loss through | | | | temperature - it does not help store food |
| inadequately insulated walls is a great | | | | anymore, but it decreases the energy |
| problem, but so do all kitchen stuff - while | | | | efficiency. |
| we may not know about it, kitchen appliances | | | | |
| are a major factor in our house's energy | | | | As for other major energy consumers in your |
| consumption. | | | | kitchen, you may consider replacing the bulbs |
| | | | with the fluorescent models. They provide |
| Let's start from preparing the meals. First | | | | just as much light as incandescents, and |
| of all, never use the stove for reheating the | | | | despite their higher individual price, they |
| leftovers. It sucks wild amounts of energy! | | | | are much cheaper in the long run. Also, it |
| Try a microwave oven instead - while the | | | | may be a good idea to reduce the amount of |
| quality of the food suffers a bit, you save | | | | energy used by your dishwasher. The point is |
| up to 40% energy you'd otherwise have to | | | | that you have to use it only when it is |
| waste on heating the stove. Another tip is | | | | properly loaded. If you overload it, don't be |
| about the burners. Never use the big ones | | | | surprised if it uses huge amount of |
| unless you have a really large pot. Remember | | | | electricity. On the other hand, running it |
| that big burners don't heat anything faster | | | | every time you have a few cups to clean will |
| (especially if pots are smaller than the | | | | be a waste of energy, too. When you do run |
| burner), but they use much more energy. Make | | | | it, run it at night when most electric KWH |
| sure that your pan or pot are sitting flat in | | | | costs are lower than during the day. |
| the burner as well. Many time the pot/pan | | | | |
| bottoms are rounded a bit from wear and usage | | | | One last tip: generally, try to replace your |
| and do not sit flat on the burner, thus | | | | appliances with more energy-efficient models. |
| heating up inefficiently and wasting energy. | | | | Look for Energy Star logos - they mean that |
| | | | the appliance is more energy-efficient. |
| Fridges and freezers are two other major | | | | Remember that they are responsible to a |
| energy consumers in your kitchen. Make sure | | | | better part of your electricity usage, so it |
| that the insulation around their doors is in | | | | is something worth fighting for. |