Save Energy and Money by Creating an Energy-Efficient Kitchen With These 14 Tips

Your kitchen is not only a space for culinary creativity but also a significant area for energy use. From cooking appliances to lighting, there are many ways to lighten your load and save energy! Whether you're an experienced chef or just enjoy cooking occasionally, these tips can help you create an energy-efficient kitchen.

General energy tips for the kitchen

1. Keep heat and moisture out of the kitchen. Use your exhaust fan to help remove excess moisture and heat! Remember that humid air feels warmer than dry air! Consider grilling once a week or enjoy meals that don't require cooking indoors. An electric grill is the perfect option to safely enjoy grilling outside without the risk of additional smoke or fire.

2. Optimize your dishwasher for efficiency. Instead of using the dishwasher's drying cycle, try air-drying your dishes, or only run the dishwasher when it's full.

3. Match the size of your pot or pan to the burner. When your pans fit the burners well, they absorb more energy, which helps reduce heat loss.

4. Cook your meals in covered pots and pans. This helps keep the heat in, allowing you to cook at a lower temperature while still achieving great results!

5. Try a microwave or pressure cooker instead of the stovetop or oven. By cooking your food at higher temperatures and pressures, you can significantly reduce cooking time and cut energy use.

6. Keep the oven door closed and use the oven light to check on your progress when baking. Every time you open your oven door, you lose around 50% of the heat!

7. Bake multiple items at once and enjoy leftovers. Bonus-preparing your meals like this will save you time and money throughout the week.

8. Use a microwave to reheat small portions of food. You can save up to 80% of the energy compared to cooking or warming them in the oven. It's a simple way to be more energy-efficient!

9. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label when buying new appliances. This means they meet high standards for energy efficiency, helping you save energy and money!

Specific energy tips for your refrigerator

10. Check your fridge's temperature. It should be between 37-40°F to help save energy and keep your refrigerator running longer. And don't forget, your freezer should be set to 5°F.

11. Try to only use one refrigerator and keep it full. A second fridge in a home, such as a mini fridge, can cost you up to $150 a year in energy costs.

12. Close the refrigerator door promptly. Every time you open the fridge door, cold air escapes. Being a bit careless with leaving the door open or not closing it properly can waste a lot of electricity. This will add up! Plus, not closing the door keeps the compressor working harder, which will affect performance!

13. Make sure the seal on your fridge door is in good shape to help it run efficiently. A damaged or worn seal can cause the refrigerator to use more energy than needed.

14. Try to keep the fridge away from the oven or any heat source. This helps it run efficiently and maintain cool temperatures inside.

Keep in mind that even small changes can lead to big energy savings over time! By following these tips, you can create a kitchen that is both energy-efficient and budget-friendly. Discover more ways to save money and lighten your load at seattle.gov/city-light/energy-tips.

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