Energy Efficiency Tip: Saving Energy in the Kitchen
There are some simple, practical things you can do to reduce the energy load in your kitchen, as well as some tips that will help make your entire home more comfortable.
Oven tips:
- Limit pre-heating. Pre-heating the oven is necessary for cooking many dishes. However, some recipes have you turn on the oven far more ahead of time for pre-heating than is needed. Most ovens have a display that counts down the pre-heating time and lets you know when it is ready to use. If your oven doesn't have this display, use an oven thermometer so you can see when it's ready for cooking. Some dishes do not require the oven to be completely pre-heated. However, keep in mind that if your oven is not at the right temperature, it may extend your cooking time and make up for whatever time you would save by not pre-heating.
- Keep the oven door closed. Every time you open the oven door, the oven temperature can drop 25 degrees. Avoid wasting energy by using the oven light or a timer.
- Use a meat thermometer. Invest in a meat thermometer for roasting meat. These are oven-proof and usually include a digital meter that tells you what temperature your meat should be when it's done. This will reduce the need to open the oven door while cooking.
- Clean the door seal. Use a kitchen degreaser and gently clean the seal on your oven door so that it retains the maximum amount of heat.
More tips:
- Use other appliances. Beyond microwaves, don't forget about toaster and convection ovens, air fryers, slow cookers, pressure cookers and other small cooking appliances. These handy appliances use less energy and generate less heat than a standard oven.
- Use fans. A ceiling fan in the kitchen or adjoining dining area will circulate the air and keep you more comfortable. You can also install a whole-house fan or attic fan to keep the hot air moving up and out of your home.