Tips On Saving Energy In The Kitchen

Warren Buffet’s first rules of investing is to never lose money. His second rule is not to forget about the first rule. However, losing money does not only happen on the stock market as it is common in everyday life. Every extra dollar spent on something you don’t need is wasted capital. Yet, in practically every house in America, capital is being wasted on energy consumption. Moreover, a lot of it comes from your kitchen.

  1. What Kitchen Appliances Use the Most Energy

For example, did you know that an electric crock pot or microwave will use less energy than an electric range? But, there are some alternative-free devices that significantly contribute to your bill and you should be aware of this.

Refrigerator

The average refrigerator wattage runs anywhere from 150 to 400 watts. This is a relatively small amount but since they are in use 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, their annual consumption can vary between 720 and 1,800 kWh with older and less-efficient models consuming even more electricity.

Dishwasher

An average dishwasher takes about 1,200 watts of electricity but the yearly consumption varies greatly depending on whether you use an eco cycle or the ultra-hot and longer running ‘traditional’ cycle. There is also the factor of whether your household water is heated by gas or electricity. To give you a better idea, the yearly energy consumption using the standard of 1.5 hours of usage per week, can range between 300 and 855 kWh.

Espresso Machine

The wattage of most espresso machines is 1,000 to 1,500 watts. Based on just one cup per day, an espresso maker averages a robust 450 kWh annually. Therefore, you may want to reserve it for special occasions.

To sum up, a fridge or a freezer, electric devices or dishwasher will contribute the most to your electricity bill simply because they are used so much.

  1. Should I Upgrade To Energy-Efficient Appliances

Over time, even a small reduction in energy consumption, not to mention investing in energy efficient appliances, can make a big difference in your Dominion Energy bill. Designed to work more efficiently, Energy Star appliances offer long-term benefits. These certified kitchen appliances are built in accordance with strict government standards that make them more energy efficient.  

These devices :

Although these appliances can be an investment, the potential for savings is significant. An Energy Star appliance may save up to 30 percent on electricity bills each month and over time, that can add up to much more than the price of the appliance. They pretty much pay for themselves over the long-run, especially considering they live longer.

Energy efficient appliances are engineered to use a minimum amount of energy that still allows them to complete their tasks effectively and therefore reduce the strain on a home’s energy resources.

These types of appliances help to conserve resources, like natural gas, oil, coal and water. By lowering your carbon footprint, energy efficient appliances are also proven to reduce household pollution and promote sustainability.

These devices are designed to save energy without compromising on performance.

  1. Tips on Saving Energy in the Kitchen

Even without making an investment in energy-efficient appliances, you can save energy and money by adopting simple energy-saving habits.

Unplug Phantom Loads

Appliances like coffee makers draw electricity even when they are not in use. Just leaving your coffee maker and a microwave plugged in when you aren’t using them costs the same as lighting a room with an LED bulb 24/7 for a whole year!

Use the right size pots

Using a small pot on a large burner equates to energy waste. Try to fit the pot size as close to the burner size as possible. You can also save energy by using lids while cooking as you will use less energy with the lid containing the heat and reducing the cooking time.

Cut the cooking time

Pre-soak your ingredients such as oats the night before. You can also skip preheating with meals that take quite a while to cook as it won’t make much of a difference, plus you won’t cool the oven by opening it and adding the dishes. Moreover, you can turn off the oven ten minutes before called for to cut down on energy use as it will reduce the time the oven is actively heating needed to finish the meal.

Clean smarter

Only wash full loads and air dry your dishes.

TakeawayFrom cooking to cleaning, a lot of work gets done in the kitchen every day. This is neither good for your bank account or the environment. By making your kitchen more energy-efficient, both your budget and the planet will benefit.