A kitchen would be a pretty useless room without the appropriate appliances. Ovens, hobs, microwaves and smaller appliances such as kettles and toasters are often taken for granted but without them cooking would be reduced to an open fire. These appliances are made to make our lives easier but they use up plenty of energy which can potentially increase your energy bill and your carbon footprint.
Efficiency
If you’re thinking of upgrading your appliances and want to make an environmentally sound choice then check to see if the appliance is an Energy Saving Recommended product. These products will have a logo on them which shows that they are more energy efficient than regular appliances. Fridges and freezers in particular can use a significant amount of energy as they are in action 24 hours a day. If your budget is tight and you can’t afford to replace all your appliances with their energy saving counterparts then make your fridge or freezer your first choice. Energy efficient washing machines and tumble dryers are amongst the many other appliances which are specifically designed to save energy. When the weather’s nice though, you can cut back your energy use further by drying clothes outdoors.
Usage
Blenders, slow cookers and bread makers are amongst the many items which are often bought but are rarely used. Items like these are only worth purchasing if you actually use them so consider how much use you’ll get from the appliances before you purchase them. Kitchen appliances like these take energy and natural resources to make so if you’re not going to get your money’s worth from them then leave them in the shop.
Switch off
Leaving appliances on standby is a well known energy waster so take the time to unplug washing machines, dishwashers and dryers when they’re not in use. Appliances such as coffee machines can be left on for hours keeping your coffee warm but also costing you money by using energy. Make just the one cup and switch the machine off when you’ve finished with it, coffee always tastes better when it’s freshly brewed anyway.
Clever cooking
If you really want to cut back on your energy spend then think about how you cook your meals. Is the oven left on for hours cooking a casserole or jacket potato? Do you have all the hobs blazing away long after the food in the pans is cooked? Using the microwave to cook items which take a long time in the oven is one way to cut down on the energy you use. Make sure as soon as your food is ready, you switch off your appliances so you don’t use energy unwisely.
Water wastage
A quick way to reduce the amount of water and heat you use is to only fill the kettle with the amount of water required and the same goes for boiling water in pans on the hob. Make sure your dishwasher and washing machine are full before you switch them on and this will save you money in detergent as well.
Save money and do your bit to reduce your household carbon footprint with these energy saving tips.
