Here are some tips for ways to conserve energy in the kitchen:
Grime from cooking, smoking and dust can make a light bulb
dirty, reducing the light it gives off. Inspect and clean bulbs regularly.
Use stove exhaust fans that vent to the outdoors as little
as possible during the winter to limit sending heated air outdoors.
Run your garbage disposal with cold water.
Washing Dishes
Studies show electric dishwashers use less hot water than
washing and rinsing dishes by hand. When you purchase a dishwasher, look for
one with a short or light cycle. They require fewer fills and less hot water.
Some dishwashers use up to 40 percent less hot water per load, and others
allow you to reduce the temperature settings on your water heater. Both can
save you money.
Check the condition of your dishwasher filter screen and
clean or replace it when necessary.
Save more energy by air drying your dishes and only running
full loads.
Cooking
Don't open the oven door to check on food any more than
necessary. Twenty-five percent of the heat escapes each time you do. Turn
off the oven about 15 to 20 minutes before the end of the cooking time. The
left-over heat will finish the job.
Avoid cooking during the hottest parts of a summer's day.
Cook outdoors when you can.
Cook in oven-safe glass or ceramic pans when you can. They
allow you to set your oven temperature twenty-five degrees lower than the
recipe calls for.
Keep pots and pans covered and use the right size pot or
pan for the size of your stove's burner. Use properly fitted lids to hold
the heat in.
When boiling a liquid, only put in the pot what you will
use. Start with a high heat setting. When boiling starts, turn the heat down
and allow foods to simmer until fully cooked.
Begin a self-cleaning cycle while your oven is still hot
from cooking.
Do summer cooking in the evening so your home stays more
comfortable during the day.
Cook several dishes in the oven at the same time. Prepare
double recipes when you can and freeze for future use. Re-heat with microwave.
Take the pan test on a gas stove or cook top. If the flame
is visible on the sides of the pan, lower the setting to conserve fuel.
Keep the door closed when broiling in a gas stove to keep
in high temperatures. The gas flames will consume smoke and grease.
Your Refrigerator
Partially thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator before
cooking them. In many cases, thawing foods lets you cut cooking times by a
third.
Don't place your refrigerator next to your stove or other
sources of heat. And allow adequate wall and cabinet clearance. Giving a refrigerator
or freezer "room to breathe" will let it operate more efficiently
and prevent premature burnout.
Store the most perishable items in the coldest part of
your refrigerator (usually the back or top shelf), so you can set the temperature
slightly higher.
Twice a year -- more often if you have long-haired pets
-- unplug your refrigerator and vacuum the coils in the back or underneath.
Dirt and dust on the coils greatly reduces efficiency.
Allow hot foods to cool before putting them in the refrigerator.
Make sure you don't over-crowd shelves or block the circulation of air inside.
Wipe any moisture off containers before putting them in
the refrigerator, and keep foods in the refrigerator covered. Moisture will
otherwise build up rapidly and you'll use more energy to remove it.
Be sure your refrigerator door closes tightly and the gasket
is in good condition. Check it by closing the door on a piece of paper. If
you can easily pull the paper out when the door is closed, you need a new
gasket. If you have a magnetic gasket, put a flashlight inside pointed at
various areas of the gasket and close the door. If you can see light, you
need a new gasket.
