The holidays are a time for family, friends, fun and, what else, food! Making that memorable holiday meal is no small feat. From savory sides to delicious desserts, it’s a meal that takes lots of hard work to pull off. And all of that cooking can really crank up your energy use and even your monthly bill.
Follow these simple tips and you can shrink your energy use in the kitchen:
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) use up to 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and are more durable and longer lasting.
2 - Reheat small portions in the microwave.
You'll use up to 80 percent less energy by microwaving smaller servings. You can also use the toaster oven.
3 - Keep your fridge between 35-38 degrees.
Set your freezer to 0°F. If the temperature of your refrigerator is 10 degrees colder than necessary, it can use 25 percent more energy.
4 - Bake in batches.
Baking lots of cookies or a couple pies at one time saves energy. If you’ve got an oven window, take advantage of it! Opening the oven door wastes energy and lowers the temperature as much as 25°F.
5 - Run your dishwasher with full loads.
To save energy and water, don’t run the dishwasher until you have a full load. Be sure to scrape, not rinse, your dishes before loading them.
6 - Fix leaky faucets.
Faucet leaks waste gallons of water. Hot water leaking at a rate of one drip per second can waste up to 1,660 gallons of water over a year – and waste up to $35 in electricity or natural gas.
7 - Cover pots and pans.
Covered pots and pans cook more efficiently and keep the kitchen cooler.
8 - Match the size of pots to the size of burners.
A 6" pot on an 8" burner wastes over 40 percent of the burner's heat. Using the right-sized pot on stove burners can save about $36 annually for an electric range or $18 for gas.
If your appliances are old or need replaced, opt for energy-efficient models. Look for ENERGY STAR® rated appliances.
Source and Reprint Information
This article previously appeared in the Central Virginia Electric Cooperative Energy Sense newsletter, and is used with permission. This material cannot be used in a publication as an endorsement of your products or services. However, it can be referred to as an informational source. As for sharing with family, there is nothing you need to do. That is an acceptable use of the article.
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