When you realize how much energy and money inefficient kitchen appliances waste, it’s enough to motivate you to make a change. After all, there are better things to spend your hard-earned cash on.
Choosing Kitchen Appliances Wisely
The truth is that using energy-efficient appliances and practices benefits us all. Conserving energy should be everyone’s concern, but sadly, that’s not necessarily the case. So, it’s nice to pick up a bit of additional slack from time to time.
The refrigerator is the biggest culprit in kitchen energy consumption, accounting for 9 to 15% of our homes’ electricity usage.
Naturally, you want to choose a fridge with the Energy Star label, which guarantees that the unit has met certain regulatory standards. You also want the correct size. Selecting a fridge that is too small despite always being packed too full will force it to work harder than it should.
On the other hand, one that is too large works to cool excessive space unnecessarily. Both can be wasteful. Check out the Energy Star website to help select the most efficient models.
For additional home conservation assurances, do without the ice maker and the into-the-door water and ice dispensers. By making this small sacrifice, you can reduce energy consumption by 10 to 15%. Locate the fridge away from heat sources (such placement makes the unit work harder than necessary).
You can also let foods cool before putting them in the fridge, allowing the appliance to work less.
It’s important to understand the options available for your cooktop/range. It’s the only appliance to feature fuel choices—electric or gas—each with its own inherent environmental impact.
An advantage of using an electric range is that it may be fueled by renewable power should you choose to incorporate solar panels at any point. Without solar energy, much of our electricity is reliant on coal.
Regrettably, coal adversely affects the atmosphere by contributing to greenhouse gasses. Also, nearly 70% of electric power is lost during the transmission to our homes. Wasteful.
On the other hand, gas is inexpensive and efficient as a fuel. It emits 45% less carbon dioxide than coal, its counterpart energy source.
Unfortunately, gas releases by-products such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide, which are of greater concern in newer, more airtight homes. Sure, exhaust hoods directly above the range are designed to clear the air, but they may be unable to rid up to 30% of the pollutants.
Despite potential drawbacks, there are additional money—and energy-saving tips to implement. For instance, cover pots and pans with lids to cook food faster by trapping the heat within. Use the same concept for cooking pasta.
Boil it for two minutes, turn the burner off, cover it, and let it sit until fully cooked. Little ideas like these add up and save more energy than you might expect.
It pays to go with a compact oven, assuming it’s adequate for your needs. Even two smaller ovens are more energy efficient than one large single model.
Use one as a primary, and employ the second rarely – only when necessary. Also, seek one with a convection oven that has a fan that circulates the heated air, allowing temperature and cooking times to be reduced (this uses 20% less energy!).
A self-cleaning feature helps maintain oven temperatures and boosts efficiency. Be mindful that whenever you open the oven door during cooking, the temperature drops 25 to 50 degrees!
Obviously, keeping the air fresh and breathable is necessary. Be certain to install an Energy-Star-rated exhaust hood, which is known for using 65% less energy than other non-rated models (its quiet motor function is also a popular feature).
Cooking can introduce up to three gallons of moisture into your home’s air, and failure to disburse it properly could cause some unnoticed damage.
Now let’s talk dishwashers. Ideally you want one that, too, is Energy Star-rated and at least 10% more efficient than other models. Look for wash cycle options such as “energy saver” and “no-heat drying” and models that conserve water.
Before loading the dishes, scrape, don’t rinse, food off of them. For a relatively clean load, use the light or energy-saving cycle. Lastly, opt for no-heat drying. Be certain always to run a full load.
You may wonder if microwaves make much difference. The answer is “yes,” though they use one-fifth and one-half as much energy as conventional stoves. Keep in mind that they are most efficient and effective when defrosting or cooking small portions. Choose one without a glass window to reduce the likelihood of potential radiation emissions.
By following these easy home guidelines, you are doing your part to conserve energy and protect the environment, yourself, and those around you – and that’s something to be proud of!
