Energy Reduction
Kitchen energy reducing tips:
Turn up the fridge. It only needs to be 4C in order to keep food from spoiling.
Defrost the freezer, so that it works more efficiently.
Downsize your appliances – cook with the microwave or a toaster oven whenever possible, they use a fraction of the energy the stove does.
When you do cook on the stove, put lids on the pots (allowing you to cook at a lower setting), don’t preheat the oven unless you’re baking a dessert, and turn off the oven a few minutes before you’re finished cooking (as long as the door is closed, the temperature will stay steady for several minutes).
Fill your kettle or coffee maker with only the amount of water you actually need, it will boil in less time.
Invest in the most efficient appliances you can, the reduced energy use will repay your investment sooner than you might think.
And if you are replacing your appliances, get the largest fridge/freezer that your kitchen will accommodate, so that you won’t need a second in the garage or basement.
The dry cycle of the dishwasher is the most energy intensive part of dishwashing. Turn the machine off first, and open the door to let the dishes air dry instead.