06 Dec 09 Ideas for Saving a Bundle on Energy Use at Home – Kitchen Appliances
Appliances in the kitchen are responsible for a major part of your home energy use. Here are a few suggestions to help save energy (and money) in the kitchen:
* Try to keep your refrigerator door closed. You will waste a lot of energy by constantly opening and closing your refrigerator. When preparing a meal, take all ingredients out at the same time. Also, ensure that the door has closed securely after you’re done using the refrigerator.
* Locate your refrigerator or freezer away from heating equipment, heater vents and direct sunlight. Make sure there is enough open space on the sides, above and behind for unhindered air flow.
* Set the temperature of your refrigerator between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at 0 degrees for maximum efficiency. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also advocates these settings to inhibit fast bacterial growth.
* Keep your freezer or refrigerator full, but do not overdo it. Overloading causes the compressor to run for a longer period. Place foods slightly apart on shelves, ensuring that they will not block the air flow inside the unit.
* For maximum energy conservation, keep freezer and refrigerator condenser coils unobstructed and clean.
* Since a tight-fitting door seal is essential for the efficiency of your refrigerator, wash door gaskets with warm water or a detergent that leaves no residue .
* Seal all moist foods kept in the refrigerator. If uncovered, moisture might be drawn into the air, causing the unit to work harder.
* If you own an older extra freezer that only has a few items in it, use the primary freezer and unplug the older one.
Cooking Appliances
* If you own more than one oven, you will save money by using the smaller oven whenever you can.
* Save time and energy by using one oven to prepare the complete meal. A pie or cake can be placed in the already heated oven after the main dish is done.
* Using a pressure cooker cuts cooking time to less than half compared to regular cookware.
* Warming foods, plates and platters with the oven’s already stored heat after baking, requires no energy. If the food must be kept warm for a longer time, adjust the oven’s temperature no more than 150 to’0 degrees.
* Consider cooking with a more energy efficient microwave oven, portable electric frying pan, grill, or toaster oven/broiler instead of the oven. Grill outdoors or prepare cold dishes to prevent heating up the kitchen and moisture to the air inside your home. Microwave ovens use less than 50 percent of the power of a conventional oven and prepare food in approximately 1/4 of the time.
* Pots and pans that are covered will start boiling sooner than those that are open, permitting lower temperature settings with less energy use.
* Choose cooking vessels that completely cover the stove’s heating elements. Use pots with even bases, vertical sides and tight-fitting lids in order to hold heat and permit lower energy settings.
* Make use of crock pots, outdoor grills or casserol recipes to reduce the use of your stove’s heating elements and oven.
* Use only enough water to create steam and prevent sticking when cooking frozen or fresh vegetables.
* Ensure that reflector pans under your stove’s heating coils are stain free and bright. The reflector pans reflect heat onto the underside of the pot.
* Don’t line oven racks with foil. The foil blocks the flow of heat and makes the oven work harder to finish the job.
* Cook following specific timing and temperature directions. Specific timing eliminates the need for repeated opening and closing of the oven door to check on the progress of the cooking. Every time the oven opens, the oven cools by 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
* On an electric stove, begin with higher heat and reduce the setting as soon as the food starts to boil or bubble. Turn off the surface element a few minutes before cooking is complete. Electric stoves remain hot for a few minutes after they have been turned off.
* During summer months, do your heavy cooking in the cooler evening or early morning hours. Try to use the stove top and avoid using the oven.
Jim Navary has been a freelance writer and researcher for over thirty years covering a broad array of topics. He is also a licensed realtor in the Commonwealth of Virginia specializing in Petersburg VA real estate and, in particular, Fort Lee VA homes for sale.
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