The kitchen is one of the most energy-intensive areas of the home, but there are many ways to reduce energy consumption and save money on your energy bills. Here are some energy-saving tips for the kitchen:
- Use energy-efficient appliances: Choose appliances with the A rated energy label (Or as close to ‘A’ as you can afford), which indicates that they meet energy efficiency guidelines set by the UK government and EU.
- Cook wisely: Use lids on pots and pans to retain heat and reduce cooking time. This can save you upto 30% on your energy cost.
- Consider using a pressure cooker, particularly for stews and long cooking time meals, which can reduce cooking time by up to 70%.
- Use the right-sized pots and pans: Use pots and pans that are appropriate for the size of the electric ring or gas hob to minimize heat loss.
- Microwave whenever possible: Microwaves use less energy than ovens or stovetops, so use them whenever possible. Cooking vegetables in a small ammount of water in a bowl with a lid takes less time and energy and the veggies taste better!
- When reheating food, use a microwave instead of the oven.
- Keep the oven door closed: Every time you open the oven door, you let out heat, which can increase cooking time and energy consumption.
- Use your dishwasher efficiently: Only run the dishwasher when it’s full, and use the energy-saving setting if available. If you wash up the traditional way, dont leave the tap running to rinse, it can use more energy and water than a dishwasher.
- Use your refrigerator wisely: Keep your refrigerator full, but not too full. The more items in the fridge, the less air there is to cool, which can reduce energy consumption. Also, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- Switch off appliances when not in use: Turn off the stove, oven, and other appliances when they’re not in use to reduce standby power consumption.
By following these energy-saving tips in the kitchen, you can reduce your energy consumption and save money on your energy bills while also contributing to a greener planet.
